Resolution 2019-02 : Regarding the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

WHEREAS, the Maryland Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (LBPH) is a cooperating Network Library in the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Library of Congress System; and

WHEREAS, on October 1, 2019, NLS changed its name to National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled; and

WHEREAS, NLS took this action to more clearly communicate to government officials and the general public the audience that it serves; and

WHEREAS, this name change will also help with the marketing of service to the newly blind and print disabled population which is increasing by leaps and bounds; and

WHEREAS, the Maryland LBPH should change its name as NLS did so that it too can achieve greater understanding of its function and improved outreach and marketing to individuals who need the service; and

WHEREAS, in 2016, the Maryland General Assembly and Governor Hogan created the Maryland State Library Agency and established the Maryland State Library Board to oversee the State Library Agency; and

WHEREAS, the Maryland State Library Board consists of seven members appointed by the governor plus five ex officio members from government and library entities; and

WHEREAS, there is no provision in law to ensure that one of its members represents the interests of LBPH; and

WHEREAS, since 22 of the 29 staff members of the State Library Agency work for LBPH and a large portion of the State Library budget is used for LBPH, a knowledgeable blind person should always be designated as a member of this board to ensure that the specialized needs of this library are supported;

Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland in convention assembled this ninth day of November, 2019, in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, that this organization strongly urge the governor and the Maryland General Assembly to enact legislation changing the name of the library to Maryland Library for the Blind and Print Disabled; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this organization insist that the legislation requiring the name change,  also include a provision that one member of the State Library Board shall always be blind.