Alabama Administrative Code
Title 520 - ALABAMA PUBLIC LIBRARY SERVICE
Chapter 520-4-1 - ELIGIBILITY OF BLIND AND OTHER PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED PERSONS FOR LOAN OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
Section 520-4-1-.02 - Consumer Advisory Council Bylaws

(1) NLS provides materials and playback equipment to BPH for dissemination to persons who meet the following eligibility requirements:

(2) In cases of blindness, visual disability, or physical limitations, "competent authority" is defined to include doctors of medicine; doctors of osteopathy; ophthalmologists; optometrists; registered nurses; therapists; and professional staff of hospitals, institutions, and public or welfare agencies (e.g., social workers, case workers, counselors, rehabilitation teachers, and superintendents). In the absence of any of these, certification may be made by professional librarians or by any person whose competence under specific circumstances is acceptable to the Library of Congress.

(3) In the case of reading disability from organic dysfunction, "competent authority" is defined as doctors of medicine and doctors of osteopathy who may consult with colleagues in associated disciplines.

(4) Eligible readers must be residents of the United States, including the several states, territories, insular possessions, and the District of Columbia, or American citizens, domiciled abroad.

(5) In the lending of books, recordings, playback equipment, musical scores, instructional texts, and other specialized materials, preference shall be given at all times to the needs of blind and other physically handicapped persons who have been honorably discharged from the armed forces of the United States. NLS policy gives secondary preference to centenarians.

(6) The reading materials and playback equipment for the use of blind and physically handicapped persons may be loaned to individuals who qualify, to institutions such as nursing homes and hospitals, and to schools for the blind or physically handicapped for the use of such persons only. The reading materials and playback equipment may also be used in public or private schools where handicapped students are enrolled; however, the students in public or private schools must be certified as eligible on an individual basis and must be the direct and only recipients of the materials and equipment.

(7) Patron records will be kept confidential based on applicable laws, Library of Congress/NLS Confidentiality of Reader Records, and the guidelines presented in the ALA Policy on Confidentiality of Library Records.

(8) No fines will be charged for overdue, damaged, or lost materials which are part of the NLS collection.

(9) Reader advisory and reference services will be provided to assist patrons in identifying specific materials and formats in their areas of interest.