New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-11-11
ROCKS FOR THE BLIND.
A LIBRARY IN BROOKLYN MADE UP OF RAISED
LETTER VOLUMES.


Tn Rrooklyn is to be found what Is said TO be
the only circulating library for the blind In the
metropolitan district. The nucleus OF the present
library was formed some years ago by the
Mizpah Circle of blind men, but about h'o' iihnlhg
themselves without an appropriate place In which
to keep their books. application was made to the
Protestant Episcopal Church OF the Messiah 10
care for them until another place could be found
The request granted, and since then the
library has been conducted as OF the branches
OF that church, charitable work, a room In the
parish house being set aside for the housing OF
the books and a custodian appointed for them
ANY responsible blind person over fourteen
years OF age. who is resident OF New-f orK
city, Brooklyn or Long Island. is entitled to
harrow hooks The library Is also open to and
has occasionally been used by those who for any
reason temporarily deprived or the use OF
their eyes and who desire TO continue through
that period some course Of study or reading AS
an assistance t. these people. and also to those
who lost their sight too late in life to have
nron,cd nv instruction at school for the blind 1t
is always possible TO obtain. through the library
and its managers. teachers In the art OF readihg
by the use OF fingers instead OF eyes Members
OF the Mlzpah Circle are entitled to the free use
OF the library; others pay a small fee at their
discretion. bu, inability to do is no bar TO Its
privileges.
Al present there are about 80 readers. elderly
women and young men predominating The num-
Der would doubtless he greatly Increased were
the existence OF the library more generally
known There are many blind people within the
limits allowed for residence who have attended
school and acquired "A knowledge OF and taste Tor
reading which has since been to them an aggra-
walton rather than a pleasure. for the books are
50 expensive TO be- entirely beyond the purse
OF the large majority OF people.
The library contains about 800 books. in
Guiding the following classes: Poetry. probably
and aie
English poets fiction. Dickens. Scott. etc. history.
text books and books on theological and sacred
subjects with the present readers poetry seems
to hold the first place while religious works are
not far behind.
Books for the OF the blind are large. re-
sulting from the size OF the type used. and be-
cause OF necessity only one side OF "A leaf can be
used and they require space IN proportion
than other books, for II they are crowded Inc
enclosing Is more quickly nattened ana II be-
comes difficult TO read To compare the size with
books printed in ink take. FOR instance. the Bible
which requires fourteen volumes. each larger than
those % the Cycopcdih Britannica, and "Ben-Hur
ia in four volumes nearly as large. But while the
books are clumsy I'm size they weigh much less than
those for ordinary readers. book FOR the blind.
apparently twice As large as Wcbster's Unabridged
Dictionary. will weigh probably not half as much.
This is because the books must be bound with
little pressing
prlntng are used. though all alike In having
characters raised from the surrounding, surface.
There are two main divisions. having on the one
hand the Zine" syst ms and on the other the
point systems. In each OF which there are various
subdivisions. In Zine type is used which Is
modification Of ordinary Roman letter and can
be read quite easily by any seeing person In the
'pont" systems the letters and symbols are indi-
Gated by raised dots or points" from one to SIX
being used In given space Both systems have
their advocates and advantages. but, with the pres
cnt generation at least. point systems are more
popular one reason * that the points are more
sharpy defined than the line letters and can be
more readily learned especially by those who have
not been blind from early childhood or whose
delcacy OF touch Is by any means Impaired. IL Is
interesting note that most blind persons see
with only finger. generally one Of the indexes.
and II an accident happens To that one the Whole
process Of learning to fead must be gone through
with for the benefit Of another finger. 1t Is said
that any deprived Of sight can learn to read
point" while many cannot master Zine" but those
who do prefer the latter. There is not quite so
much space required when printing in point as In
Zine" What would seem To be great advantage
Of point Zine Is the tact that point may
also be written. This is generally done ny means OF
a guide" or SLATE wnich Is formed OF two pieces
OF metal hinged 50 that the appearance is rather
that OF a book the under strip being solid
with eroo yed lines on ts Inner surface. the upper
divided cut into n sort Of lattice-work PAPER Is
placed between the strips. AMI by means or p'unt
stylus the dots points made In the open spaces
Bu 1t must be done backward. from right 10 lett
and should one be Obliged To lay aside the safe De
fore completing a sentence 1t IL rather dlncut 10
'contlnue without break; for the paper must be re-
moved and turned I'm order TO read what has
been written. Halls American Bralle Writer Tor
the Blind" nyentei In l2 by Professor na I,, si
bids fair In many schools 10 Suppressed me od safe
It's mechanism is similar to that OF some ypewrliers
The keyboard, which looks much like a section OF
piano keyboard has on spacer win three Keys on
may be pressed at once, thus making any letter
or symbol at stroke. The arrangement Is such
e 1' r@movine the PAPER Music and figures can be
written as readily AS English. me machine can
with stronger stylus and arranged for foot-power IS
used to prepare copper plates from which to print;
as stereotyped plates and are much cheaper.
But to return to me library Tnere tns maJority
by DR.. Howe. Of Boston. about 1884, and the besi-
known type OF its kind in this county, There Is
being 'New-York Point" devised about 1870 ny
william Walt suPsrnte9a.ehnt OF me &
i ieas'S are B T Of Which BTa a French
Braile' a modification OF the same
The library is supported by fees from readers. AMI
by donations. The fees yield an exceedingly small
income as there IL little aflluence among the read
ers. Three volumes may be taken out AZ once, and
KEEP, for n month. when II desireu' Wey may De
The library greatly needs repienlshing and add
raphy. Science and fiction. Many of the book nov
in use are old and the borrowers say they expert
cnce considerable difficulty N reading them. with
constant, use book would hardly be in good CON
dion 10 afford great pleasure II the end OF five
wears The constant passing OF fingers the
embossIng nattens II and destroys the sharpness OF
outline IA mentioned before. the books are en-
pensive For instance Robinson Crusoe' costs
SO Marble Faun' so So Ben Hur" 81.
Those who may wish 10 borrow books. OBJ
tain further nforma don regarding the library Ia
scope and aims. should Apply az the office Of the
assistant minister. Church Of the Messiah. Greene
and Clernont aves.. Brooklyn entrance at rear OF
building or C,ermont-ave any week day morning
Sror, =, 10 except Monday.