Wolfner Patron Manual

Welcome to Your Library

Mission Statement

The mission of Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped is to provide informational and recreational materials in braille and audio formats free-of-charge to Missourians who are unable to use standard print materials due to blindness, visual or physical impairment, or a reading disability and to provide disability-related information to the public. Wolfner Library is part of the National Library Service (NLS) national network of cooperative libraries. The purpose of the network is to make recorded and braille books and magazines available in a manner which is both accessible and convenient for the readers who use the library. Therefore, circulation is done through the mail. You may request a cassette or braille copy of this manual or an application for service by calling Wolfner Library at 1-800-392-2614 or 1-573-751-8720. Electronic copies of the manual and application are also available on our Web site: www.sos.mo.gov/wolfner/.

A Brief History

Before 1924, the Saint Louis Public Library loaned braille books to the adult blind. In 1931, Congress passed the PrattSmoot Act, and eighteen regional libraries, including the Saint Louis Public Library, were selected for the program that was to become the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind. In 1937, private citizens raised funds for a building, which was dedicated in memory of Dr. Henry L. Wolfner, a noted Saint Louis eye specialist. In 1977, Wolfner Library became a division of the Missouri State Library. Wolfner Library is under the administration of the Secretary of State, the Missouri State Librarian, and the Director of Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

In the ensuing years, additional federal laws have broadened the library’s ability to include children and people with physical disabilities. The book and magazine collections were made more accessible by providing materials not only in braille but also on record, and cassette. The NLS program is in the process of converting Talking Books from the current analog system to a digital system based on stateoftheart technology. To assist readers in reading the “talking” (recorded) books, Wolfner Library loaned playback machines at no charge. On March 1, 2006, Wolfner Library celebrated 75 years of partnership with the NLS.

Location

Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped occupies offices on the first and second floors of the James C. Kirkpatrick State Information Center. Services are free of charge. Business hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Wolfner Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
PO Box 387, 600 W. Main St.
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0387
(800) 392-2614 (Toll Free)
(573) 751-8720

Changing or Discontinuing Services

Contact Wolfner Library if you want to change or discontinue your library services, or if you want to continue your library service while you visit another state. Wolfner Library and explain your needs. Wolfner Library will send your books to an out-of-state address on a temporary basis. If your move to another state is a permanent one, library services can be transferred to the NLS regional or subregional library in that area.

Media

Books are available through Wolfner Library in braille and on cassette. In addition, the library houses a small collection of large print books, mainly children’s titles. You can borrow books in any or all of these media.

Most of Wolfner Library’s cassettes are recorded at a slower speed than commercial recordings and will not play on a standard cassette player. Also, the cassettes are recorded on four tracks. This means that there are four sides to every cassette. Wolfner Library loans special equipment on which to play recorded books. There is no charge or deposit required for the equipment.

The library also has descriptive videos for you to borrow. Descriptive videos are movies, documentaries, and television programs with narration added, describing actions, settings, costumes and other visual elements. They may be played on any standard video cassette player. Patrons supply their own player.

Copyright Laws

Under Public Law 104-197, materials produced by authorized entities at the slower speed on four tracks for use by blind persons or other persons with disabilities are not an infringement of copyright. However, it is illegal to make copies of any of the books, magazines or videos circulated by Wolfner Library.

Confidentiality

The reading records of Wolfner Library patrons are confidential, in accordance with Missouri Revised Statute 182.817. These records are retained at the library as long as the patron is an active user. If a patron moves to another state and requests his/her records, they will be transferred accordingly; Wolfner Library complies with the patron's wishes.