Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-13
BLIND STAFF BUSY
IN BRA|LLE LIBRARY
Books Transcribed and Sent
Free to 1000 Afflicted
Throughout Nation.
BY GRETCHEN SMITH.


Few who pass the temporary building
at Eighteenth and d streets, used as
the Food Conservation Building during
the war, realize that from the dingy
old rooms opening upon creaking
corridor on the second floor there
daily go forth shafts of light and
brightness" to hundreds of blind per-
sons throughout the United States.
These shafts of light" are books
transcribed into Braille, which wrapped
in canvas covers serving as mail fold
ers and readers circulation cards, are
sent out free of charge by the National
Library for the Blind to approximately
1000 readers in every section of the
country.
With the exception of the director,
Miss Eta Gifin, every person employed
in the library is blind.
"One of the most important works Of
the National Library for the Blind" ex
planned Miss Giffin, sis to give work to
the blind, as well as to give them
books to read. We supply the sightless
with activity for hands and brain by
the work involved in producing the
books and carrying on the work Of the
library, and we give to many hundreds
of sightless what they so soreiy need
and crave, up-to-date literature"
Forty Given Livelihood.
At present the National Library for
the Blind Is giving livelihood to over
40 blind people. A staff of five persons
in addition to Miss Giffin does the
work of printing proofreading, binding
mailing and addressing books which
are sent out to readers. In various
sections of the country are Scattered
the 35 or more blind persons paid by
the library to transcribe books into
Braille. Relatives or friends volunteer
to read to these sightless transcribers,
who rapidly write into Braille the work
which is being read to them. AS many
as IL pages an hour can be transcribed
by a skillful worker, Miss Gifin de-
clares.
To visit the National Library for the
Blind-to watch these afflicted men
and women move rapidly about the
rooms, with the great stacks of books,
some filing or charging outgoing books
others setting up type, binding newly
finished pages, or engaged in various
occupations requisite to the work-one
cannot realize that darkest tragedy has
Stalked at the side of each of these
workers
In a small back room, silently alone,
frail, delicate woman, glasses conceal
AAS oAShIAcoo eyes, OeACcIOuSIy passes
light fingers over page after page of
raised print. Mrs. Bessie Golihew,
trained proofreader, blind since early
youth, by her earnings has helped to
rear and support 10 children. Her hus-
band, also blind, has needed assistance
in bringing up the large family. IN
complaining, cheerfully accepting the
aff1iction sent to them, this mother.
and father have successfully brought
up their large family until now but a
few smaller ones remain at home.
In Charge of Indexing.
In another room of the library Miss
Ida Weitzel, chief assistant to Miss
Gif1n, takes charge of indexing and
charging and discharging books Miss
Weltzel Is able to distinguish light from
dark. For many years dependent upon
relatives, she has now gained new hap
piness, contentment and confidence in
the work which she has found at the
library. In fact, since her mind has
been at rest, Miss Weitzel claims that
her vision has improved.
Others who assist Miss Gifin, are
Mr.. Fred o. LentZ, who with Miss
Weitzel helps with indexing, filing and
charging the books; Ammen Waterman,
in charge of mail division, and Miss
Mary Collins, who does a little bit of
everything. from setting the Braille
type, to binding books.
The National Library for the Blind,
which was founded in 1911, with
Thomas Nelson Page as its first presi-
dent, Is supported by small appro-
large membership of sighted people,
anxious to give help to those living in
darkness. The first home of the library
was located at 1929 H street, rented
through the generosity of Philadel-
phia friend. After her death, the IL
brary was forced to find new home.
and through the efforts of interested
persons a temporary home was OBJ
tanned at the old Food Conservation
Building.
Real Home Hoped For.
Some day." laughed Miss Gif1in, eve
nope we may find some one anxious to
give money to a worthy cause, who
Will build us a real home"
Explaining that many blind readers
throughout the country are persons
who have lost their sight as adults,
and that unspeakable distress comes to
this group, which has always lived in
the sunlight, Miss Gifin said that
reading Is the one pastime wAich makes
the "leaden hours" possible for such
persons
Our greatest difficulty" she said,
is to supply them with current litera-
5ure. They like to read the newest
books. 1t is expensive to keep up with
popular literature. It was once sug-
gested that successful authors could
contribute much to the happiness of
he blind If they would contribute to
The National Library one of their best
sellers in Braille. In this way. their |
books would become known and en-
oyed by hundreds OF rsaders whose |
only pleasure in life is reading the
books which are sent to thema
The National Library for the Blind |