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G2S Project Code: 2024-AL-94379
State: Alabama
Fiscal Year: 2024
Grantee
Alabama Public Library Service

Project Director
Director Name: Kelyn L. Ralya
Director Phone: (334) 213-3976
Director Email: kralya@apls.state.al.us
General Information
Title: Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled
State Project Code: AL
Start Date: 10/01/2024
End Date: 09/30/2025
Abstract: The Regional Library for the Blind and Physically Disabled provided special format materials to citizens of Alabama who are unable to use standard print material due to vision loss, physical limitations, or learning disabilities. Activities included daily circulation in digital talking book and grade2 Braille formats as provided by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), a division of the Library of Congress. The Regional Library also provides refreshable braille readers, e-currency readers, and digital talking book players. Reader advisory and reference/referral services are provided to patrons, family members, teachers, public libraries and other interested parties. Services to patrons include recreational reading, school book list titles, Accelerated Reading lists, and basic reference. Satellite services are available in a subregional location at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) in Talladega.
State Goal: Lifelong Learning
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$624,581.00
$0.00
$0.00
$624,581.00
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Other
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Circulation
Narrative: 369,854 special format volumes and machines were circulated during the year.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 369,854
Average number of items circulated / month: 30,821
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: Yes
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 0
Academic Libraries: 225
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Patron Service
Narrative: ARL staff made 10,147 contacts with patrons. Services included application processing, reader advisory, and materials distribution.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Instruction
Mode: Consultation/drop-in/referral
Format: Combined in-person & virtual


Quantity
Total number of consultation/reference transactions: 10,147
Average number of consultation/reference transactions per month: 845


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: Yes
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 225
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Duplication on Demand
Narrative: The Duplication on Demand (DOD) program was implemented in February 2020. DOD cartridges are created using the Scribe tower system. In FY2025, there were 365,847 book titles and 1,554 magazines downloaded onto 50,537 cartridges
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 365,847
Average number of items circulated / month: 30,487
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: Yes
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 225
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Activity Details
Title: Braille and Audio Reading Download
Narrative: The Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) online service enables ARL patrons to download books directly from the NLS catalog onto their personal device. In FY2025, a total of 14,276 BARD titles were downloaded.
Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Lending
Format: Digital


Quantity
Total number of items circulated: 14,276
Average number of items circulated / month: 1,190
Total number of ILL transactions: 0
Average number of ILL transactions / month: 0


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: Yes
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: Yes
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: Targeted
Geographic community of the targeted group: Urban
Rural
For what age groups: All Ages
For what economic types: Economic Not Applicable
For what ethnicity types: Ethnicity Not Applicable
Is the activity directed at families: No
Is the activity directed at intergenerational groups: No
Is the activity directed at immigrants/refugees: No
Is the activity directed at those with disabilities: Yes
Limited functional literacy or informational skills: No
Is the activity category not already captured: No


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 225
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 1
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
Service was rendered to 7,000+ patrons and 369,854 special format volumes and machines were circulated during the year. Staff also downloaded 365,847 book titles and 1,554 magazines on 50,537 cartridges using the DOD Scribe towers. In addition, patrons downloaded 14,276 BARD titles to their personal devices.
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Based on the circulation rate of items, it is evident that this service is of vital importance to the eligible residents in the state. We also work closely with the subregional library at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB) in Talladega. As the population continues to age (particularly the Baby Boomers), the demand is expected to grow. This program has made a positive impact in people's lives as they are able to continue to enjoy reading materials in various formats.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The implementation of the DOD program has significantly increased the number of titles being sent out to patrons. One cartridge can hold up to eight books. In the past, eight individual digital cartridges would have to be retrieved from the shelves and mailed separately to a single patron. The patrons’ enthusiastic response to the DOD service is a testament to its effectiveness. The BARD online service enables patrons to download titles from the NLS catalog directly to their personal devices.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
Yes
Explain:
We continue to try to increase our outreach endeavors to applicable schools and agencies and attend conferences as participants and exhibitors. These services are provided using LSTA and NLS funds.
Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: Blind, Physically Disabled