National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress Washington, DC 20542 **************************** ********** FACT SHEET ********** **************************** January 1992 MUSIC FOR BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED INDIVIDUALS A special music collection for blind and physically handicapped individuals was authorized by Congress in 1962 as part of the free national library program of braille and recorded books and magazines administered by the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress. With the cooperation of composers and publishers who grant permission to use copyrighted works, NLS selects and produces music scores in braille and large-print formats and music magazines and books about music and musicians in large-print, braille, and recorded formats. People interested in music materials receive them directly from NLS in Washington, D.C., rather than through the NLS network of cooperating libraries that circulates general reading materials and loans playback machines to eligible patrons. Music materials are sent to borrowers and returned to NLS by postage-free mail. Music patrons nationwide can call NLS toll free at 800-424-8567. ELIGIBILITY Anyone who is unable to read or use standard printed materials as a result of temporary or permanent visual or physical limitations may receive service. A survey sponsored by NLS found that two million persons with some type of visual impairment may be eligible and another million with physical conditions, such as paralysis, missing arms or hands, lack of muscle coordination, or prolonged weakness could benefit from the use of reading materials in recorded form. MAGAZINES Six music magazines are offered by direct mail to eligible readers. MUSICAL AMERICA, covering current events in classical music, HIGH FIDELITY, containing reviews of audio and video recordings and equipment, and CONTEMPORARY SOUND TRACK: A REVIEW OF POP, JAZZ, ROCK, AND COUNTRY, an NLS-compiled sampler of articles from national magazines about jazz, country, rock, and pop music, are available on flexible disc. The MUSICAL MAINSTREAM, another NLS- compiled sampler, is produced in large-print and braille and on flexible disc, and includes current articles on classical music and music education reprinted from national magazines. The BRAILLE MUSIC MAGAZINE, containing articles from British magazines about classical music and music criticism, is produced in braille by the Royal National Institute for the Blind. POPULAR MUSIC LEAD SHEETS is published in braille by NLS. It contains melodies, lyrics, and chords to popular songs ranging from "golden oldies" to recent hits. THE COLLECTION The music collection, made up of some 30,000 books, scores, and instructional recordings, is a major resource for blind, partially sighted, and physically handicapped musicians, music students, and others who enjoy music. BRAILLE Materials in braille make up the largest portion of the collection and include the standard repertoire for most instruments, vocal and choral music, some popular music, librettos, textbooks, instructional method books, and music periodicals. Braille is purchased comprehensively from international sources. The NLS Music Section also serves as an international clearinghouse for information about music that has been transcribed into braille and is available for individual purchase or international interlibrary loan or purchase. LARGE PRINT Enlarged scores with a minimum of 14-point type size and a staff size of one inch are available for voice, piano, and other instruments. Patrons can also borrow books about music, including opera librettos, biographies of popular and classical musicians, general music histories, and some music reference books. RECORDED The material on discs and cassettes includes music theory, appreciation, and history; biographical sketches of musicians and examples of their art; interviews and master classes; and instruction for various instruments. Courses for beginning guitar, piano, organ, accordion, recorder, voice, and modern harmony have been purchased or specifically developed for the NLS program. Musical recordings intended solely for entertainment, however, are not part of the free library program since these materials are readily available from stores and local libraries. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION More information, including applications and catalogs of braille, recorded, and large-print music materials, may be obtained by writing NLS or by completing and mailing the order form below. *************************** Cut Here ************************** ORDER FORM Please send the information checked on this form to: Name__________________________________________________________ Address_______________________________________________________ City____________________________________State________ZIP______ APPLICATION FOR FREE LIBRARY SERVICE Eligibility Requirements and Application Form (Individual) (in English) print_____ (in Spanish) print_____ CATALOGS AND SUPPLEMENTS BRAILLE Choral Braille scores Catalog - Choral, 1979 large print___ braille___ Circular No. 13 (January 1991), Braille Scores Catalog - Choral: Supplement A print___ braille___ Instrumental Braille Scores Catalog-Instrumental, 1980 large print___ braille___ Circular No. 14 (January 1992), Braille Scores Catalog- Instrumental: Supplement A print___ braille___ Organ Braille Scores Catalog - Organ, 1978 large print___ braille___ Circular No. 12 (October 1988), Braille Scores Catalog - Organ: Supplement A print___ braille___ Piano Braille Scores Catalog - Piano, 1979 large print___ braille___ Circular No. 3 (June 1990), Piano Methods in Braille print___ braille___ Circular No. 8 (February 1989), Braille Piano Music Produced by NLS: 1978-1988 print___ braille___ Vocal Braille Scores Catalog - Vocal; Part I: Classical, 1983 large print___ braille___ Braille Scores Catalog - Vocal; Part II: Popular, 1983 large print___ braille___ Braille Scores Catalog - Vocal; Part II: Popular, Supplement A, 1986 large print___ braille___ Cicular No. 6 (February 1990), Librettos in Braille print___ braille___ Circular No. 10 (May 1989), Braille Scores Catalog-vocal; Part I: Classical, Supplement A print___ braille___ LARGE PRINT Large-Print Scores and Books Catalog, 1991 large print___ Circular No. 7 (November 1987), Librettos in Large Print print___ RECORDINGS Circular No. 1 (April 1990), Recorded Courses print___ Instructional Cassette Recordings Catalog, 1991 large print___ 15/16 ips cassette___ Instructional Disc Recordings Catalog, 1987 large print___ 8 rpm disc___ OTHER PUBLICATIONS Music Reading Circular No. 2 (December 1991), Music Reading and Writing Aids print___ Circular No. 11 (February 1992), Books Braille Music Notation print___ braille___ Dictionary of Braille Music Signs large print___ braille___ Do You Know This Tune? (braille music sample) large print/braille___ Special Topics and Materials Circular No. 4 (September 1991), Braille Music Transcribers print___ braille___ Circular No. 5 (September 1989), Music Periodicals Available from NLS print___ International Directory of Braille Music Collections (1987) large print___ braille___ Music Is for Everyone (brochure) large print___ braille___ There's More Than One Way to Read Music (brochure) flexible disc/large print___ Sample CONTEMPORARY SOUND TRACK 8 rpm disc___ Sample MUSICAL MAINSTREAM large print___ 8 rpm disc___ braille___ Sample POPULAR MUSIC LEAD SHEETS braille___ Send this order form to: Reference Section National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped Library of Congress Washington, DC 20542 END ******************************************************* Note: This file has been edited for use on computer networks. This editing required the removal of diacritics, underlining, and fonts such as italics and bold. You can obtain a copy of the original by writing to NLS at the above address. kde 8/92