June 26, 2025 Library of Congress Honors National Library Service Network Libraries in Pennsylvania and Michigan

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled at the Library of Congress has recognized two of its cooperating libraries in Pennsylvania and Michigan for their outstanding service to readers with visual, physical or print disabilities.

The Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians in Pittsburgh was named the 2025 Regional Library of the Year, and the Kent District Library Talking Book & Braille Center in Comstock Park, Michigan, was selected as the Subregional Library/Advisory and Outreach Center of the Year.

Award recipients will be honored at a luncheon in the historic Thomas Jefferson Building of the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., on July 23.

The awards, established in 2004, recognize libraries within the National Library Service network that demonstrate exceptional support of its mission, innovation in service and high reader satisfaction. Nearly 100 cooperating libraries across the country are eligible for consideration each year.

“The Library of the Year awards are a well-earned recognition of the impact that these libraries have on their communities and the dedication and passion that their staff members bring to their work,” said Jason Broughton, director of the National Library Service. “I have no role in the selection process, but each year I take the opportunity to look over the nominations. These two libraries are wonderful examples of the work that is being done throughout the National Library Service network of cooperating libraries.”

2025 Regional Library of the Year:

The Library of Accessible Media for Pennsylvanians in Pittsburgh, part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, is led by Library Administrator Mark Lee. It serves more than 15,600 patrons statewide with the help of 22 staff members and 80 volunteers.

In 2024, the Pittsburgh library circulated more than a million books and other materials in print and digital formats. It produced 44 locally recorded books of regional interest meeting national quality standards and conducted 50 outreach and training events across Pennsylvania. It also provides large-print books, tactile maps and early literacy kits.

Among its outstanding initiatives last year, the Pennsylvania awardee collaborated with Pittsburgh PBS station WQED to create a short video to promote its literacy programs, featuring patrons, staff members and volunteers. It also partnered with Two Frays Brewery to launch a custom IPA called I Love LAMP, featuring a braille-labeled can, at an event that raised money for the library during National Library Week.

2025 Subregional Library of the Year:

The Kent District Library Talking Book & Braille Center in Comstock Park, Michigan, serves more than 750 patrons across Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties, including Grand Rapids. Led by Accessibility & Inclusion Specialist Shelley Roossien, the library held 30 outreach events at vendor fairs, schools, senior living facilities and other venues last year. It co-hosted the first annual Kent District Library Disability Expo and partnered with the West Michigan Veterans Coalition to connect veterans with accessible library services.

The Michigan library expanded patron access to mainstream and adaptive technology through training and support. Thanks to donor support in 2024, the library made notable upgrades to its Adaptive Technology Lab, including a braille embosser and refreshable braille display, an optical character recognition camera, a large-print keyboard and updated screen reader software. It also expanded the district library’s Beyond Books collection to include items such as portable video magnifiers, wearable artificial-vision devices and accessible gaming controllers.

The library procured LEGO Braille Bricks kits in English and Spanish for outreach and programming, with additional kits added to the Kent District Library’s circulating collection.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled is a free library service for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials. Through its national network of cooperating libraries, the National Library Service circulates books and magazines in audio and braille that are instantly downloadable to a personal device or delivered by mail free of charge.

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