LBPD

Building of PBPH as seen from the outside.

MD State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD)

  • Administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS), Library of Congress

  • LBPD provides free library services to individuals who cannot read standard print or have a print disability

  • The program is tax-supported by federal, state, and (where appropriate) local government and private agencies. There is no direct cost to eligible readers

  • LBPD serves approximately 8,000 Maryland residents and circulates over 200,000 materials every year

What LBPD offers

  • Books in large print, braille, and in digital format

  • DVDs with audio description

  • Audio and braille Magazines

  • Players and accessories to listen to audio files

  • Assistive technology training

  • NFB-NEWSLINE® and BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download)

Youth Programs

Reach the LBPH Kids desk at: kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov

Announcing the Youth Reference Desk!

It’s Back to School! Don’t worry, The Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled has you covered. Whether you are a student, parent, or teacher we have an abundance of FREE and readily available services, programs, and materials. If you need additional support, contact the Youth Reference Desk for assistance. If you request a call from a librarian, please allow one business day for us to respond. For faster service, connect with us directly at kidsdesk.lbpd@maryland.gov

BARD resources

What is BARD?

BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) is a free library service of downloadable braille and audio reading material for residents of the United States and U.S. citizens living abroad who are unable to read or use standard printed material because of visual or physical disabilities. BARD provides access to thousands of special-format books, magazines, and music scores. This service is only available to NLS/LBPD patrons.


Maryland Accessible Textbook Program

The Maryland Accessible Textbook Program (MAT) was created by the Maryland General Assembly to offer additional choices to all Maryland college students who are blind or visually impaired or who have other disabilities that make it difficult to read print. It is a program housed in the Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) in Baltimore. Colleges, universities, and community colleges, whether they are public or private, generally have a person or office to aid individuals with disabilities to address a variety of disability-related issues. Services available from Disability Student Services (DSS) staff include test accommodations and locating accessible books, among many others.

The MAT program offers you an additional choice for getting accessible textbooks for your own use, if you want to have another entity aid inaccessible book procurement. The DSS office in the school you attend may also choose MAT as the means of procuring electronic texts for you. MAT is committed to providing a seamless book acquisition process for everyone who chooses its services.

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