Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1905-07-18
AIDING THE BLIND.
EDUCATION ADVANTAGES PRO.
VIDED By UNCLE SAM.
Books and Music Provided by the
Library of Congress for In
struction and Enter
tatnmenk

uncle sam has IS 900 blind children
children who on account of their
ah1ct1on 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-
tertalnment. comfort and Joy. This
ne mas provided not alone by the pub
hcation, through an invested sum, OF
such books as 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 its inception until the pres
ent date there has been a steady in
crease in the number of visitors In the
read1ng-room for the blind In the
library OF congress. This is oftentimes
the first place the daily visitor to the
library wishes to see. One part of the
room is reserved for the sole use Of
the blind who come to read, and an
other part is for visitors who desire
to see what kinds of books are pre-
pared so 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 $2b0,000 was invested in
permanent securities of the United
States In order that the proceeds 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
| cludes popular literature and techni-
cal subjects.
The reading-rooms for the blind are
situated in the northwestern corner Of
the ground floor Of the great structure,
and are large and well appointed. The
window stills are full Of flowers and
everything is made as coy and attrac-
tive as possible, even though those for
whom they are intended cannot see
them. The walls are lined with book
racks loaded down with books prepared
especially for the blind. Then there
are the typewriters 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 see the WIS.,
itors enjoying the stories as they read
them by slipping their finger tips over
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 an
abundance Of talent at the disposal of
the library officials. That the blind
visitors appreciate and enjoy these
daily treats is attested by the large
number who are always in attendance
each afternoon, rain or shine"
One peculiar thing about the read
ing-room for the blind is the large
numbers of people that are always
grouped about the table containing the
music made for the blind to read. One
way Of printing the music is by the use
of raised notes on raised staff, but
this is not so frequently used as the
one which the octave is numbered and
each note spelled out by name and
each phrase written as a paragraph,
the notes for the right and left hands
written separately. The blind musi-
clan as rule memories the notes for
the right hand and then those for the
left.