SECTION 612:15-1-3. Library functions and legal basis

(a)   The Oklahoma Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (OLBPH), operated by the Division of Visual Services within the Department of Rehabilitation Services, is the regional library for Oklahoma as part of the national network of libraries of the Library of Congress National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

(b)   On March 3, 1931, the Pratt-Smoot bill authorized the Library of Congress to arrange with other libraries to serve as local or regional centers to circulate books to blind or visually-impaired users. By the end of fiscal 1966, Congress passed Public Law 89-522 extending the service to library users who could not read standard print because of physical disability, which can include certain reading disabilities. State law (7 O.S. Section 8 and 74 O.S. 166.4(B)(3)(b) and 166.5) establish that the Section of Services to the Blind (Visual Services) of the Commission for Rehabilitation Services has the authority and duty to provide special library services to blind and visually impaired citizens.

(c)   Functions of the Library include but are not limited to:

(1)   Loan of books and periodicals in accessible formats for eligible adults and children with visual, physical or learning disabilities that prevent effective use of standard print materials;

(2)   Production of recorded and Braille materials on request and on a limited basis, subject to availability of resources. Fees may be established to cover the cost of production. Services provided by OLBPH as part of the National Library Service will be given priority over requests for production of reading materials in alternate formats;

(3)   Acquisition, housing and circulation of Braille textbooks and other accessible instructional materials for students with print disabilities in grades pre-K through 12;

(4)   Improving access to print information for Oklahomans with print disabilities by providing, through contract or directly, services that supply audio or electronic access to newspapers, books, works by Oklahoma authors, educational programming, local and state activities, and information on resources.

(5)   Recruitment and training of volunteers to support library functions.

[Source: Added at 10 Ok Reg 4635, eff 9-1-93 (emergency); Added at 11 Ok Reg 2451, eff 7-1-94; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 3079, eff 8-1-96; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1834, eff 7-1-11; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1310, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 2025, eff 9-11-17]