J1 - 030ADV26R0004 - Background NLS Products Services - 08072025 - pp. 4.pdf

Attachment J1 – 030ADV26R0004 – Background: NLS Products & Services – 08/07/2025 (pp. 4)

1. ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The Library of Congress (LOC or the Library), National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) administers a free national library program that provides braille and recorded materials to people who cannot see regular print or handle print materials. Established by an Act of Congress in 1931 to serve blind adults, the program was expanded in 1952 to include children, in 1962 to provide music materials, in 1966 to include individuals with other physical disabilities that prevent reading regular print, and in 2016 to permit NLS to provide refreshable braille displays. The NLS program is funded annually by Congress, and books and materials are mailed as “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped” through a separate appropriation to the United States Postal Service. Under a special provision of the United States Copyright Law, and with the permission of authors and publishers of works not covered by that provision, NLS selects books and magazines for full-length publication in braille, digital braille (eBraille) and digital audio formats. In early 2019, the United States joined the Marrakesh Treaty as its 50th member, allowing NLS to assist patrons in requesting accessible materials in a wide range of languages from the other libraries around the world that are also Marrakesh Treaty members.

The NLS works with a network of cooperating libraries nationwide (referred to as Network Libraries) to provide direct service to eligible individuals and institutions in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and all US Territories. The program extends to qualified American citizens that reside abroad as well.

Currently there are more than 90 regional libraries, subregional libraries, and advisory and outreach centers that participate in the NLS program.

While NLS currently has between 225,000 - 250,000 patrons, NLS is implementing plans to grow this base of patrons through focused outreach to eligible groups, by offering new, next generation products to attract digital natives, by improving the current suite of products and services, and by expanding the diversity of its collections both in content and format.

1.1. Digital Products and Services for NLS Patrons

The primary suite of digital products provided by NLS for patron use is the Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) suite of services. BARD is not a singular product; it is comprised of multiple products available directly to NLS patrons for obtaining reading materials. These products include the BARD website, BARD mobile applications for iOS and Android devices, the BARD Express Microsoft (MS) Windows application, access to BARD reading content via Bluetooth enabled refreshable braille displays, and the My Talking Books skill for Amazon Alexa smart speakers. Later in 2025, the next generation Advanced Digital Talking Book Machine, (Referred to as DA2) will additionally enable direct access to BARD. There are approximately 45,000 active BARD users who may leverage one or more of the BARD products at any given time.

In addition to the self-service capabilities enabled by BARD, reading materials are also available to NLS patrons through the libraries in the NLS network. NLS network libraries circulate both digital reading materials on digital cartridges as well as the NLS funded playback equipment needed to consume magazines and audiobooks stored on digital cartridges or USB devices.

As noted above, NLS provides free equipment for NLS patrons who need devices to consume audiobooks and magazines. Players for audiobooks are currently available in standard and advanced models and provide high-quality sound, offer variable speed controls, and have built-in audio instructions. Advanced players offer enhanced navigation and bookmarking. Accessories include adapters for commercial cartridges and USB drives, lightweight headphones, breath switches, and remote controls. High-volume players and headphones are also available. NLS is intending to launch a pilot of its next generation Advanced Digital Talking Book Machine (DA2) with network libraries in the spring of 2025. DA2 supports wireless network access, enabling direct access to the BARD website, and 20 hours of playback time on a single battery charge; among other advanced features. Assuming a successful pilot outcome, NLS anticipates beginning a broader implementation of the DA2 to patrons through the NLS network libraries shortly thereafter.

In addition to audiobook players, NLS has been authorized to loan refreshable braille displays (eReaders) to eligible individuals. These eReaders allow patrons to read electronic braille files (BRFs) as well as files in multiple other formats including Word, HTML, DAISY, and PDF. The eReader supports wireless network and Bluetooth capabilities, internal memory, and numerous additional features.

While the above suite of products and services supports current patrons, NLS envisions that, in the future, prospective patrons will use NLS Patron Enrollment (NLSPE) to sign up for NLS services, a fully accessible application, currently under development, that will streamline the one-time process of applying for and receiving NLS services. NLSPE is anticipated to be publicly available by the end of calendar year 2025.

1.2. Physical Products and Services for NLS Patrons and non-Patrons NLS has the largest circulating music collection of its kind in the world, with more than 25,000 titles including braille and large-print scores, recorded instructional materials about music and musicians, and audio and braille music related magazines available to eligible NLS patrons. Circulation of these materials is handled directly by NLS and not through network libraries.

NLS patrons also have an opportunity to request, receive, and retain up to five hard copy braille books of their choice per month from braille titles that are currently available on BARD through the Braille-on- Demand program.

The NLS provides support to patrons and non-patrons alike with an array of informational publications with resources for patrons, family members, caregivers, and professionals on topics related to blindness, visual impairment, and physical disabilities. Additional information on NLS products and services can be found at https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/

1.3. Information Technology Systems Supporting NLS Product and Service Delivery Several systems are maintained by NLS to support the delivery of products and services.

1. BARD Login: The BARD Login application (previously known as “AAA” which stands for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting) enables single sign-on for access to NLS systems https://www.loc.gov/nls/services-and-resources/equipment-for-nls-materials/ requiring authentication and authorization. BARD Login allows for the central management of all user accounts and enforced access for users based on parameters set by the application in conjunction with the user’s approved access requests. NLS capabilities that currently leverage BARD Login for account management include BARD, Excess Inventory Integrated Operations Support System (XPRESS IOSS), Production Information Control System (PICS2), Warehouse on the Web (WOW2), and the portion of the NLS website that is accessible only to NLS staff and network library users.

2. NLS Catalog: The electronic NLS Catalog, available at https://nlscatalog.loc.gov/ allows the public, NLS patrons, and network library staff to search by title, author, subject, or book number for the more than 300,000 audio and braille titles in the collection. The NLS Catalog was recently transitioned to the Library’s next generation Library Collection Access Platform (LCAP).

3. XPRESS IOSS: This is a suite of database driven web-based applications that incorporates the following sub-systems:

a. Patron Information and Machine Management System (PIMMS) - base of patron and machine information contained in the network libraries’ circulation systems.

b. Web-based Reader Enrollment and Delivery System (WebREADS) – library circulation system used by one-third of the network libraries.

c. Network Library Database version 2 (NLDB-2) – collects information from network libraries.

d. Excess Inventory Exchange version 2 (XESS-2) – facilitates the exchange of excess inventory between network libraries.

e. Interlibrary Loan version 2 (ILL-2) – this system facilitates the temporary loaning of materials between network libraries.

4. Production Information Control System version 2 (PICS2): This system supports the main NLS business process of producing audio and braille books and magazines.

5. Warehouse on the Web version 2 (WOW-2): This is an inventory system that manages NLS program materials.

6. Duplication on Demand (DOD): This system allows NLS-affiliated network libraries to produce cartridges for NLS books on demand.

7. Analytics System for Knowledge – Metrics, Insights, and Key Evaluations (ASK-MIKE): This is NLS’ internal data analytics tool. It stores limited data from multiple NLS systems to support operations and to drive NLS business decisions.

1.4. List of NLS Users

NLS provides service to individuals who fall into any of the following categories:

1. Blind persons whose visual acuity, as determined by competent authority, is 20/200 or less in the better eye with correcting lenses, or whose widest diameter of visual field subtends an angular distance no greater than 20 degrees.

2. People with visual disability, with correction and regardless of optical measurement, are certified by competent authority as preventing the reading of standard printed material.

https://nlscatalog.loc.gov/

3. People certified by competent authority as unable to read or unable to use standard printed material because of physical limitations.

4. People who are certified by competent authority as having a perceptual or reading disability and unable to read printed works to substantially the same degree as a person without an impairment or disability.

5. Individuals eligible for service (falling into any of the above categories) who now live as residents of the United States (including its territories, insular possessions, and the District of Columbia), or who are American citizens eligible for service who are now living abroad, or dependents of active military personnel or diplomats.

This includes individuals who have had a qualifying disability from birth, individuals who are disabled because of medical conditions or trauma, and individuals who become disabled as they age.

Individuals who have a temporary disability may qualify for service on a temporary basis. Individuals who are blind or have a print disability and who have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States receive special priority.

It should be noted that individuals may have multiple disabilities, for example motor control or a range of motion limitations, in addition to one of the qualifying conditions noted above.

It should be noted that many NLS and network library staff also qualify for NLS services due to one or more qualifying conditions.