National Library for Persons with Disabilities Supports Free Access to English Materials for the Visually Impaired

The National Library for the Disabled (Director Won Jongpil) is recruiting members for the 'Bookshare Online Library' from the 18th of this month until the 15th of next month to support the use of English-language materials for visually impaired individuals residing in Korea (limited to the first 100 applicants).

Bookshare is an online library operated by the U.S. non-profit organization Benetech for visually impaired people who cannot read regular print materials. It provides English-language online alternative materials (such as digital audiobooks and electronic braille materials) covering all subjects including humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Users can access over 1.07 million types of content. The National Library for the Disabled has supported more than 700 visually impaired individuals from 2012 to 2020.

A library official stated, "We hope that the Bookshare online service will be a valuable opportunity for visually impaired individuals who need English-language materials to receive broad cultural and academic support."

Applications can be submitted by downloading the relevant forms from the National Library for the Disabled website, completing them, and sending them via email or fax.