Near Spring Garden Street in Philadelphia, the Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians provides reading materials for people who cannot use standard printed books. The organization, commonly called LAMP, distributes accessible formats such as Braille volumes, large print titles, audiobook players, and refreshable Braille devices to eligible readers across Pennsylvania. The program operates within the Library of Congress’ National Library Service, Library for the Blind and Print Disabled, which circulates accessible reading materials free of charge to participants of all ages.
Within Pennsylvania, the service operates through two locations: the Free Library of Philadelphia and the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh. These two sites together handle the circulation of materials throughout the state. Although the library does not maintain a traditional walk-through collection for browsing, its services extend widely because books and devices are shipped directly to registered patrons.
Inside the Philadelphia location, rows of movable shelving hold hundreds of Braille volumes. The shelves contain a wide selection of titles available for circulation. Chief librarian Tara Lynne Murphy explained that Braille publications differ greatly from standard books because the text is embossed. The raised lettering requires more space, which means Braille editions can occupy several volumes for a single title. Murphy described how a book might exist in one volume or expand to dozens. She gave the example of The Joy of Cooking, which appears in approximately 30 Braille volumes.
The library serves individuals who cannot pick up a book with their hands and read conventionally. Services include readers with visual disabilities, individuals with declining eyesight, people with dyslexia, and those with temporary or permanent conditions that limit the use of their hands. LAMP distributes Braille materials and large print books through the mail and also provides audiobook players. Refreshable Braille devices are available to eligible patrons and can arrive with books already loaded or with the capability to download materials directly to the device.
A portion of the collection focuses on younger readers. Children’s titles represent 25 percent of the library’s books. Access to Braille reading materials during childhood supports literacy development for children who are born blind. Early exposure to Braille reading also supports brain development and helps prepare students before they enter school.
Among the children’s resources are “twin vision” books designed for shared reading between blind and sighted readers. These books contain transparent plastic sheets embossed with Braille placed over the printed text of the book. The format provides a way for families with different levels of vision to read the same story together.
The collection also includes materials intended for readers with dyslexia. Murphy explained that dyslexia occurs frequently and often receives limited attention within the education system, particularly among children. The library works to connect readers across Pennsylvania with accessible reading materials that address this condition.
LAMP also uses a personalized system for selecting books for patrons. Traditional branches of the Free Library of Philadelphia do not maintain records of books once they have been returned. At LAMP, patron records remain in place so the library can track reading preferences. Users complete profiles describing the types of books they want to receive. The system then chooses materials automatically based on those selections. Profiles can include specific requests, such as romance novels without profanity or explicit content. Amish romance books are among the popular requests, while other patrons choose detective stories or titles with graphic content.
A recording studio inside the building produces audiobooks for the library. The studio occupies a small corner of the facility and serves as a workspace for volunteers who record requested titles. Recent media attention brought hundreds of volunteer applications for the program. Participation requires completing the Free Library’s volunteer process, which includes background clearances.
One volunteer working in the studio is Kate Loitz, who has spent about 50 years involved in audiobook recording. Her early experience began at a closed circuit radio station before she moved into recording books for the Talking Book & Braille Library in Seattle. When the Philadelphia recording studio reopened last summer, Loitz began recording immediately. She studied English and works professionally as an actor and singer. The books recorded in the studio come directly from patron requests, which means each title has an intended listener waiting for the recording. After completion, the audiobook becomes part of the permanent library collection.
Through the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, the library operates under copyright conditions that permit recording titles that have not previously been produced by another narrator or author. Recording requests often come from patrons, while the studio also produces books connected to Philadelphia or the state of Pennsylvania. Staff members coordinate with the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh location to avoid recording duplicate titles.
The production process for an audiobook requires extended studio time. Murphy explained that completing a book typically requires between 20 and 30 hours of recording. After recording, additional work organizes the audio into chapters and prepares the final version for circulation.
The library continues to expand services and outreach throughout the state. Murphy increased the staff size during the past two and a half years so more employees can conduct outreach and introduce residents to available resources. Future programming under consideration includes a “Cooking without Looking” program designed as cooking classes for people with visual impairments. Additional accessible materials are also under consideration, including Braille LEGO sets. Volunteers continue recording books in the studio while accessible reading materials and devices circulate to readers across Pennsylvania.
