Outreach
The Oklahoma Library for the Blind through its Public Information Office is committed to raising awareness of the library. Representatives from the library travel statewide delivering presentations at libraries, assisted living centers, schools, civic organizations, churches, social agencies, and other groups. If you are interested in finding out how the library operates contact OLBPH and we can arrange a tour of our facility in Oklahoma City; there you can learn more about adaptive technology and Braille.
Patron Testimonial
Share your testimonial about how the OLBPH has helped you and brag on us a little.
Newsline
NFB-NEWSLINE offers over 40 magazines, ranging from the Arts, Science, Health and Fitness, Pop Culture, and National and International news. This also includes special local channels to distribute announcements of specific interest to the blind. Contact OLBPH at 800-523-0288 in order to sign up for Newsline.
Volunteer
If you are interested in donating your time to the OLBPH in any capacity, please email the library at olbph@okdrs.gov or call: 405-521-3514 - toll-free: 800-523-0288 or TDD: 405-521-4672.
Bright Future
Bright Future is the OLBPH's quarterly newsletter, which showcases the library's programs and services. The first issue was published without a name in January 1970 and it went unnamed until the summer of 1987 when patron Shirley Price won the newsletter naming contest. In it readers will find articles about our staff, volunteers, popular book titles, and information on services of interest to people with disabilities, as well as updates from Visual Services, a division of the Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services.
Oklahoma Telephone Reader
The Oklahoma Telephone Reader (OTR) is an on-demand dial-up information service. OTR is owned and operated by the OLBPH. This allows us to provide more available programming both current and stored for easy listener access. Seven days a week, volunteers record articles from “The Oklahoman,” “Tulsa World” and other publications on to the OTR system. These recordings become digital files accessible through the telephone to OLBPH patrons who are signed up for the service.
If you would like to volunteer for OTR, please call 405-522-0518.
Learn more about OTR, read the brochure
Recent FAQs
The OLBPH offers a free talking book and braille library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from reading or holding the printed page. The OLBPH is part of a national network of special library programs under the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
The OLBPH offers books and magazines the way you want them: in braille or audio formats, instantly downloadable or mailed to your door for free. The OLBPH offers a wide variety of titles, including bestsellers, biographies, fictional works, how-to books, magazines, and music scores and instructional materials.
Oklahoma residents of all ages who are unable to read or use regular print materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations, including those who are blind or have a visual, physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from reading or handling print materials are eligible for OLBPH services.
In cases of blindness, visual impairment, or physical handicap, eligibility may be certified by doctors of medicine; doctors of osteopathy; ophthalmologists; optometrists; registered nurses; therapists; and professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or private welfare agencies (e.g., social workers, caseworkers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers, and superintendents). In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by professional librarians or by any person whose competence under specific circumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress.
Yes. An amplifier/headphone combination that produces sound up to 130 decibels is available for adults with severe hearing loss. A special application form is necessary and must be signed by a physician or licensed audiologist. The application has details about the need for a doctor’s certification and what precautions are necessary to prevent injury. This device is not intended for individuals with mild or moderate hearing loss; the use of standard headphones may sometimes help these individuals.
Helpful Links
- The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS)
- Oklahoma Department of Rehabilitation Services
- American Council of the Blind
- American Foundation for the Blind
- National Federation of the Blind
- American Printing House for the Blind (APH)
- Equal Access to Software and Information (EASI) is a non-profit organization, committed to the belief that students and professionals with disabilities have the same right to access information technology as everyone else.
- Family Connect is a website for parents of children with visual impairments.
- InfoEyes is a question-and-answer service provided by professional librarians at braille and talking book libraries to people with visual or other print limitations.
- Learning Ally is a national nonprofit with a defined approach to help support students with learning disabilities and their families.
- NewView Oklahoma
