Jacobus tenBroek Library
...A research and resource center on blindness
The purpose of the Jacobus tenBroek Library is to support NFB members and others who are interested in the history of blindness and blind people or who are doing research directed toward increasing blind people’s independence. We provide facilities for using our collections, regardless of format, by both sighted and blind readers. The Jernigan Institute has secured a federal grant for work with a vendor to produce the first fully nonvisually accessible, automated library system. We are currently developing this system and plan to have the first version of the library catalog available on the World Wide Web very soon.
What We’re Doing Now
Now Available: Walking Alone and Marching Together in streaming audio format.
Listen to the book Walking Alone and Marching Together in MP3 format. The entire book is available in thirty parts.
Catalog
Our fully accessible catalog will be available by the end of 2009. Until then, for information on our holdings or for any library related inquiry, please do not hesitate to contact us directly: 410-659-9314 extension 2225 or jtblibrary@nfb.org.
Name the new Jacobus tenBroek Library online catalog!
Full-text digital files
Ultimately our plan is to have our entire collection digitized, with links to relevant digitized material that we do not own. The entire digitized collection will be available through the Web and thus accessible around the world to anyone interested in blindness studies. With appropriate software, blind readers will have exactly the same ability to access the world’s literature on blindness as anyone else.
Many NFB publications are already available in full-text.
Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium
To carry forward the work of Dr. tenBroek in assuring that all citizens may have the opportunity for full participation in the society in which we live, the National Federation of the Blind hosts the Jacobus tenBroek Disability Law Symposium. During the symposium participants examine the current status of both American and international disability law and discuss future change in the disability law of the United States.
The tenBroek papers and other archival material
The tenBroek Library holds the personal papers of Jacobus tenBroek and is responsible for the institutional archives of the National Federation of the Blind. In a climate-controlled storage area, the library houses audio and video footage of model rehabilitation programs, NFB national conventions, and advocacy actions taken over the past half-century. We are soliciting the personal and professional papers of other blind leaders, of blind and sighted inventors who have contributed to the blind, and of blind people in any walk of life. These are key sources on the history of blind people and the organized blind movement in the United States.
To learn more about Jacobus tenBroek and the tenBroek papers, consider the following articles:
- The Story of the tenBroek Papers, by Lou Ann Blake (Braille Monitor, October 2006)
- Who Was Jacobus tenBroek? by Lou Ann Blake (Braille Monitor, May 2006)
- Within the Grace of God, by Jacobus tenBroek (NFB National Convention 1956)
Collection Development Policy Statement
Jacobus tenBroek Library Strategic Plan
Exhibits
The Library offers exhibits highlighting technological and personal achievements by the blind. Currently on display:
- Everest Expedition - Explore the tactile exhibit dedicated to the NFB-sponsored Everest Expedition featuring Erik Weihenmayer's 2001 ascent of Mount Everest.
- Rocket Launch - Find out about the first ever NASA rocket launched by blind students.
- Youth Slam Tiles - Inspect the tiles inspired by the experiences of the participants of the Youth Slam.
As our library continues to expand, more links to additional information will be coming. We thank you for your patience and encourage you to check back frequently.
For More Information
Jacobus tenBroek Library
Jernigan Institute
NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
200 East Wells Street
at Jernigan Place
Fax: 410-685-2340
E-mail: JtBLibrary@nfb.org
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