|
O
n April 10, 2015, The Connecticut State Library, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) located at 198 West Street, Rocky Hill, hosted a volunteer recognition day. Approximately 40 volunteers were honored with plaques and certificates for their hard work and dedicated service. State Librarian, Kendall Wiggin, addressed the volunteers saying, "What you do makes a difference and your work is a great example of what makes Connecticut special." The
LBPH provides braille and audio books to Connecticut residents who are blind, visually impaired, or physically handicapped. The LBPH are one of 57 regional libraries across the nation that is part of a joint federal/state program under the cognizance of the Library of Congress, National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS).
With a permanent staff of ten employees, LBPH relies heavily on dedicated volunteers who are willing to devote much time and effort to help make LBPH a successful program. Volunteers provide invaluable support in five major areas: the LBPH Advisory Committee, the AT&T Pioneers audio playback machine repair program, the recording of audio books by the Connecticut Volunteer Services for the Blind and Handicapped, Inc., the LBPH Friends group, and in assisting the LBPH staff in audio book inspections and various library projects. All told, there are about 300 volunteers generously offering their time and talents to serving the visually impaired and physically disabled community in Connecticut. Of special note, the AT&T Pioneers were also honored for their fifty years of outstanding service in audio playback machine servicing and repairs. Present from the LBPH Advisory Committee were Lewis Andrews, Marcia Baran, Barbara Blewjewski, Sarah Bowman, Diane Duhaime, Esther Levegnale, Rose Morline, and Anne West. From the AT&T Pioneers were Bill Teuber, Frank Jablinski and Trum Troemel. The Connecticut Volunteers for the Blind and Physically Handicapped were represented by Gretchen Bishop, Sandy Corday, Molly Curry, and Bill Faude. Library volunteers included Tom Grossi, Patty Mostowy, Judy Whitcomb, Ryan McLean, Michael Stielau, and Ursula Hunt who provides State Library administrative support to the volunteer groups. Ken Wiggin, the State Librarian, and Gordon Reddick, the Director of the LBPH, both expressed their sincere thanks and deep appreciation for the selfless service of all of the volunteers and their exceptional contributions to the LBPH mission. |
