On December 7, 2021, with more than $760,000 in support from the Wolf Administration, the Pennsylvania Office of Commonwealth Libraries (OCL) celebrated the reopening of the newly renovated Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh (CLP) Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians (LAMP). The Wolf Administration awarded a $750,000 Keystone Recreation, Park & Conservation Fund grant and a $13,750 Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) grant to help fund the project.

The library will make services for Pennsylvania’s print-disabled population more discoverable, accessible, and inclusive. CLP-LAMP provides resources statewide to the print disabled, and along with the Free Library of Philadelphia is one of two libraries in the commonwealth serving print-disabled residents. In addition to supplying readers with accessible materials, CLP-LAMP houses two state-of-the-art recording studios for staff and volunteers to record books and provide accessibility locally, nationally, and internationally through the National Library Service Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD). CLP-LAMP is also responsible for mailing reading materials to visually impaired patrons across the state through the U.S. Postal Services Free Matter for the Blind.

This summer, LAMP changed its name from the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped and launched a centralized new website for Pennsylvanians: MyLAMP.org. The library will continue to implement the Library of Congress’ National Library Service program throughout Pennsylvania to patrons with disabilities, including those who cannot access standard print due to blindness, visual, physical, cognitive, or reading disabilities and to those who are unable to hold a book or turn its pages. Additionally, CLP-LAMP will explore ways to provide resources beyond the traditional – such as assistive technologies and accessible programs for all underserved populations.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s Office of Commonwealth Libraries supports, develops, and provides library services for learning and advancement.

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