ERIC Number: ED403711
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 1996-Nov-20
Pages: 94
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
The Library of Congress: Evaluation of the NLS/BPH Braille and Audio Magazine Program. Final Project Report.
Bosma and Associates International, Seattle, WA.
This final report presents an independent formative and summative evaluation of the National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS/BPH) braille and audio magazine program. In this program, 77 magazines are distributed directly to subscribers, with 43 magazines available on audio flexible discs and 34 magazines available in braille. A total of over 2.7 million magazine copies are mailed each year. Study findings include: patrons collectively expressed the most interest in receiving a magazine in the areas of news/current events, mystery and detective fiction, health and nutrition, history, and popular culture; both Braille and audio users expressed satisfaction with the service; there was consistency between the demographic data provided by NLS/BPH and the data collected by the evaluation process; patrons who do not subscribe are either unaware of the program or do not like the flexible disc audio format; and there is widespread support for the program among librarians and patrons throughout the country. Policy recommendations addressed the following areas: magazine selection; processing of magazines published in multiple editions; and regular evaluation of the magazine program. Appendices include patron survey instruments and a librarian survey instrument. (DB)
Descriptors: Access to Information, Accessibility (for Disabled), Audiotape Recordings, Blindness, Braille, Library Material Selection, Library Materials, Library Services, Mass Media, Outreach Programs, Participant Satisfaction, Periodicals, Physical Disabilities, Program Evaluation, Users (Information)
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: Library of Congress, Washington, DC. National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Authoring Institution: Bosma and Associates International, Seattle, WA.
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A