New-York tribune., 1903-06-28
PUBLIC LIBRARY FOR THE BLIND
Instruction and Diversion for These Al
ficted Ones in Washington.

IN the great marble building known as the On
rressional Library in Washington is a htlie c
where a most interesting company Heqoen.''
sembles If the visitor happens to be IN tnis pa.
| Of the library during of these gatnefihes a.
| Incidents which occur will make an lmpres9
upon him long to be remembered Tor mere - ~,
ably the only public library for the Diiiu ~ '-
world. - e. ,.ee,f
oc.,,nvInr onlv two of the hundred rooms contain
in the building but to those who are oepiS x
their sight it mecca, for here are P, Pios b,t
them not only books. and even maea%ines'
vertous recreations which help to ease tneh ~
s4,oua.a Iot in life Soon after the building was
completed and thrown open to the puoiio 'le
brarians realized that no provision hau 80 iod
for the sightless ones, and a few ooohs wiz, -.
letters or in what is known as the poiii' i' &c.
were procured. AS soon as 1t was ailio"ii'
,b,s literature was in the library nuIhpei VI
blind persons began to visit it frequeh'iS' O 49,.
! found 1t inconvenent to use the genera go 4
rom, while they became somewhat conspicuous ~
the others who frequented it. AS 2 result - W va"
decided to provide separate rooms, which nave no"
become a kind of club for those who are SO uii-
fortunate as to enjoy their privileges
The superintepdent of the department. MISS Eta
Gifin is who has taken especal u, ihtT[e hIf
in this class of persons and has famiarlzed heSelI
m,r W. O. +ba hooks and magazines to the de-
partment, she decided to make II NOR md
she found many IGnslg Ynunteered their ser
the blind we're displayed in order arouse the
interest of visitors in their talent and, in addion
to a piano several typeWriters for printing ralSeg
letters were provided. These are so simple anu
Ingenious that the blind readily learn to use them
and can correspond with their frlenu5 as wen az
write compositions in prose and poetry, some OIL
which show really great ability
TALENTED BLIND WOMEN.
ANY one who has visited institution for the
education or care of the blind appreciates their
high standard Of intellect and their quickness to
learn various kinds of handiwork well as music
and other branches of education. Since it was
opened. this corner of The Congressional Library
has been the meeting place of many brilliant CO
tere of people so afflicted One of their number IS
Helen Marr Campbell, who has the reputation ci
being one of the most cultured of the world ond
population. She is not only a reader and singer OF
ability but better pianist than many professional
concert PLAYERS She frequently contributes to the
musicals not only by solos, but by accompanying
some OF the blind singers VINO may be present.
Music is provided for pianists VINO frequent TINS
department the notes being printed in the point
alphabet, each being spelled out by name and each
phrase being written paragraph. In studying
the com position, Miss Campbell uses those wonder
full eyes in her finger tips ana then She cQnihlts
the passages memory perfectly that she can
repeat difficult composition after little pracuce
without mistake. One of the principal vocal SOLO
lists is Miss Alice Murray, who studies her popu-
uures instrumental pieces. and who is always
ready to take part in the musicals and concerts
This portion of the library is very attractive even
70 people who have all of their faculties. 1t is
ments which have been worked by its patrons in
textiles or carved from various materials help
to adorn the Although few books
have been printed either in the raised type or the
point letters so much space is required for a
Single volume that side of the larger room IS
almost completely occupied with them There Is a