Network Bulletin No. 06-20
         
         
         Date: June 9, 2006
         
         
         Subject:  Blind Justice Receives the Blue Pencil Award of Excellence
         Index Term: Awards
         
         The National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS),
         Library of Congress, received two distinguished Blue Pencil Awards from the
         National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) on Thursday, May
         26, 2006. The association recognizes the best publication and communication
         efforts from local, state, and federal governments. __ Blind Justice: Jacobus
         tenBroek and the Vision of Equality,__ a book published by NLS on the life of
         Jacobus tenBroek, a revered blind activist, received the Award of Excellence; and
         the public service announcement __A Good Book Is Worth Sharing__ received the
         first-place nod.
         
         The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) was pleased to learn of the recognition.
         "Jacobus tenBroek was an extraordinary individual, and it is fitting that his life
         story received this national honor," said Dr. Marc Maurer, president of NFB.__ 
         Blind Justice__ is the first full-length biography of tenBroek, a champion of equal
         opportunities for blind people and founder of the National Federation of the Blind. 
         Written by tenBroek's friend and collaborator Floyd Matson, the book recounts
         how the crusader (1911 1968) who was blinded by an arrow at age
         seven obtained a law degree, fought for and received a university teaching
         position at the University of California, Berkely, and became a pioneer in
         organizing the blind community to claim constitutional rights.  The book is 
         available to blind and physically handicapped readers from the NLS collection in
         braille and on audiocassette.  Hardcover and paperback copies in regular print were
         offered for a fee to the general public through the Government Printing Office. 
         
         The public service announcement __A Good Book Is Worth Sharing__ features
         NLS patrons Raymond "Bud" and Billie Jean Keith, an attractive older couple from
         Arlington, Virginia, enjoying a recorded book over coffee.  The announcement was
         developed to increase public awareness of the free library service, known as the
         talking-book program, that is available to people who cannot read standard print or
         handle a book.  The image is also used in other NLS public awareness products,
         which are circulated through cooperating libraries in the United States and its
         territories.    
         
         For more information contact:  
         
         Jane Caulton
         Head
         Publications and Media Section
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