Library of Congress Honors Libraries in Maryland and Michigan for Outstanding Service to Readers with Disabilities

From the Library of Congress:

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress today recognized two of its cooperating libraries in Maryland and Michigan for their outstanding service to readers with visual, physical or print disabilities.

The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled in Baltimore received the 2024 Regional Library of the Year Award, while the Larry Gorton Talking Book Library at the Traverse Area District Library in Traverse City, Michigan, received the Sub-regional Library/Advisory and Outreach Center of the Year Award.

Both libraries — among nearly 100 in the National Library Service network of cooperating libraries — were honored today at a luncheon in the historic Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Each also received a monetary award and a commemorative plaque.

“I’m so impressed with the many ways these two libraries ensure that disability stops no one from experiencing the lifelong joy of reading. They also establish a sense of community among their patrons by sponsoring events that are educational, creative and just plain fun,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said. “These honorees are outstanding examples of the service that the National Library Service and its network of libraries provide to hundreds of thousands of people all across the country.”

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The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, under the leadership of John Owen, serves more than 7,000 patrons throughout Maryland and circulated 398,000 items in print and digital formats last year. Its recording studio has produced more than 300 books of regional interest that met National Library Service standards to be added to BARD, the Braille and Audio Reading Download website.

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The Larry Gorton Talking Book Library is housed at the Traverse Area District Library. Led by Anita Chouinard, the library serves around 400 patrons in eight counties in northern Michigan. Last year, the library offered 120 programs, some in collaboration with the Traverse Area District Library, that drew a total of 2,765 people. A monthly book club and a chair yoga program are especially popular with patrons.

Learn More in the Complete Announcement

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