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The APH Library collection was started as a result of APH’s role as an Instructional Materials Resource Center (IMRC). Much of the material was of an educational nature, such as in-service or teacher training material, as well as blindness-related research reports and pamphlets. In addition to materials collected as an IMRC, the library served as a depository for unpublished reports submitted by APH research staff, reprints of journal articles, and books and journals used by the research department. In recent years there has been an attempt to bring the collection up-to-date with current research in the fields of blindness and special education. The library is currently in the process of expanding its scope to include business, manufacturing, and field-service related resources.
The total number of volumes in the collection numbers approximately 4,500. The holdings consist of a monograph collection of books and pamphlets; a journal collection, and an Audio/Visual collection. We also subscribe to a number of online journals and data services.
The APH Libraries primarily support the research, business, and educational needs of APH staff. The libraries secondarily support visiting researchers and those pursuing careers in the education of the blind. Under certain conditions, long distance clientele will be served through interlibrary loan.
The library materials currently support research in the following areas: Tactile Graphics, Braille, Low Vision, Early Childhood Development, Technology, Tests and Assessments, Multiple Disabilities. Emphasis is on current literature, and requests for new titles are accepted. Older material with historical significance is held in the APH Migel Library for long term preservation.
In case of any questions, please contact the librarians in Resource Services at x705. The Resource Services office is located at the east end of the fourth floor hall. This is not the small office that is located in the library. The Migel Library search page can be found at http://migel.aph.org .
When you enter the Library and Hall of Fame, the library collection is on the left. As you move forward into the area, you will find the library stacks on your right, and three large metal horizontal files to your left. These house the pamphlet files, which are in alphabetical order. The files start in the upper left hand drawer of the case closest to the ramp. The call number of these items will have four letters and the words “pamphlet file.” This tells you where to look alphabetically in the files—generally it is the first four letters of the author’s name or the title.
Barr Materials may be checked out from a Resource Services Librarian in person or through email for three weeks at a time, with three additional renewals. If another user is waiting for a book to be returned, renewals might not be available. If a book is needed for the duration of a project, however, it should be purchased with project funds.
Current and bound periodicals cannot be checked out. Please use these items in the library or on-line. Exceptions may be made by special arrangement with the librarians. Materials should be returned to the librarians. Patrons are responsible for the safe return of library materials. Any item that is damaged or lost while checked out is the responsibility of the individual who checked out that item. They or their department will be responsible for the cost of repair or replacement of that item.
Subscription suggestions will be considered.
The American Printing House for the Blind, Inc. abides by U.S. Copyright Law. Items in the Barr Library may be protected under the U.S. copyright law (Title 17 of the U.S. Code). Some materials may not include a formal statement of copyright but may still be protected by Title 17. The user of the work is responsible for determining lawful uses. Users are fully responsible for any copyright infringement.
The library offers general reference and inter-library loan services to supplement the collection. If you have been unable to find a specific piece of information, please contact the librarian for further assistance.
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