The Reference Librarian as Audience for NLS Reference Publications

Abstract

The author describes the collections, roles, and services of the Reference Section of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), Library of Congress. He suggests that there is an audience among reference librarians for the publications produced by the NLS Reference Section. The reference librarians of the NLS network of regional and subregional libraries serving visually impaired and physically disabled readers are, of course, a primary audience for NLS reference publications. However, all items may be used as well by other librarians serving visually impaired and physically disabled people, the majority of whom undoubtedly work in public libraries. The author argues that as reference tools these publications may be used to answer quite specific inquiries and to make sound referrals on a wide range of questions. Librarians may request individual titles or have their libraries placed on a mailing list for any of the cited series.