The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1905-08-17
AIDING THE BLIND.
EDUCATION ADVANTAGES Pro
vIDED BY UNCLE SAM.
Books and Music Provided By the
Library Of Congress for In
struction and Enter
taiumeut.

Uncle Sam has 1000 blind children
children who on account of their
af1iction are unable to enjoy the pleas
ures and pastimes Of their more for.
tunate brothers and sisters--yet they
are not all unhappy, says the Washing
ton Star.
The kindly old fellow has not forgot
ten the afflicted ones, but has done
much to give them education and en-
tertainment, comfort and Joy. This
he has provided not alone by the pub
lication, through an invested sum, of
such books a. the blind can read. but
In the library Of congress at Washing
ton.
To one of these blind children
Helen Mari Campbell-is given the
credit Of much OF the advancement
along educational lines and hours Of
pleasure that are AFFORDED by the
library Of congress.
From It's inception until the pres
ent date there has been q steady in
crease In the number of visitors in the
reading-room for the blind in the
library Of congress. This is oftentimes
the first place the daily visitor to the
library wishes 10 see. One part Of the
room is reserved for the sole use Of
the blind who come to read, and an
other part 10 for visitors VINO desire
to see what kinds Of books are pre-.
pared 30 the blind can read them, the
writing machines, states and other in.
struments provided for the accom-
mediation Of the blind who desire to
write.
In accordance with an act of con-
gress in 1879 @260,000 was invested In
permanent securities Of the United
States in order that the procOeds could
be applied to the making Of apparatus
and books for the education Of the
blind. which have been distributed an
nually In the schools for the blind In
the several states. There have already
been prepared large number Of books
from this fund, and the catalogue in
cludss popular literature and techni-
cal subjects. u t.'lu .e9ei li
The reading-rooms for the blind are
situated in the northwestern corner Of
the ground hoor Of the great structure.
and are large and well appointed. The
window stills are full Of Aowers and
everything 70 made - cozy and sttrac-
tive - possible. even though those for
whom they are intended canHot zee
them. The walls are lined with book
racks loaded down with books prepared
especially for the blind. Then there
are the typswriters that print raised
letters and which are operated by per.
sons who cannot even see the key.
board. There are periodicals and
newspapers especially for the blind and
all about the room one can sec the Wis.
itors enjoying the stories as they read
!; them by slipping their finger tips ovsl
the pages.
Every afternoon In the week there
, are readings by volunteers for an hour
; and many blind persons attend them
, Volunteers for this purpose are never
lacking, and In fact there Is always al
abundance Of talent at the disposal o.
| the library officials. That the blind
t visitors appreciate and enjoy thes.
daily treats is attested by the lars,
, number who are always in attendance
each afternoon, rain or shine"
I One peculiar thing about the read
ing-room for the blind is the larg'
D numbers Of people that are Away
3 grouped about the table containing tn,
music made for the blind to read On
way Of printing the music Is by the US
Of raised notes on raised star, bu
this Is not so frequently used as tn
one which the octave is numbered an,
each note spelled out by name an
each phrase written as a paragraph
the notes for the right and left hand
t written separately. The blind mus
: clan as rule memories the notes 70
q the right hand and then those for tn
J. left.