Director's Corner: Postal Delays and Postal Visits

 

Director's Corner: 

Postal Delays and Postal Visits

Contributed by John Owen, Director

To all of our patrons, families and stakeholders, 

The staff of the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD) thank you for using our service and we thank you for letting us know how it impacts your lives each day, both what is working well and the challenges you face.  We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you. 

 

Over the last two months, we have heard from many of you about delays in delivery of the materials you borrow from the Maryland State Library for the Blind and Print Disabled (LBPD).  Our staff have shared your frustration and have worked to resolve the issue by sending extra materials, following up with postal carriers, and listening and documenting your experiences to get a better picture of this latest challenge. 

Recently, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) for the United States Postal Service began an investigation into the treatment of Free Matter for the Blind.  They spoke with staff from our LBPD as well as members and staff of the National Federation of the Blind.  On March 16, a team from the OIG visited our library, looked at our processes and the mail delivery, and went to the postal facility to observe how mail is sorted from there.  The OIG will produce a report based on their investigation.  

Although it is early in the process, we were encouraged by the team's diligence as well as a larger number of materials returned to us than we have seen in several weeks.  This means that the materials you return are getting back to us.  We also have heard from some of you that books that you have waited for a long time are starting to arrive.  

Please continue to contact the library if you continue to have issues with mail delivery so that we can continue to give the OIG the best information about where problems are occurring.  Also feel free to let us know that you are getting materials, especially if you had previously contacted us about delays.  You can reach us at 410-230-2443 or reference.desk@maryland.gov.  

Also, please return materials that you have finished reading.  Returning materials in a timely way ensures that new books are sent to you.  We hope that this challenge with mail delays is moving into the past as the OIG sheds light on this issue, but LBPD will continue to keep consistent mail delivery for all people at the forefront of our work.  

Free Matter for the Blind

Free Matter for the Blind or other Physically Handicapped Persons (Free Matter) is a program provided under Title 39 of the US Code § 3403. By law, the Postal Service is required to offer free mailing to people who are blind and cannot read or use conventional printed material because of a physical impairment. The Postal Service is reimbursed for the cost of Free Matter through congressional appropriations every year. The objective of the audit is to review Postal Service procedures for the acceptance, handling, and delivery of Free Matter.