President:
Carla Ruschival, President
Louisville, KY
(502) 897-1472
[email protected]
Membership Inquiries:
Carla Ruschival
(502) 897-1472
[email protected]
The Library Users of America (LUA) is a nationwide special-interest affiliate of the American Council of the Blind. LUA supports quality library services for people who are blind and visually impaired. We advocate for accessible libraries and address issues related to the NLS program.
LUA at ACB
LUA meetings at the American Council of the Blind Virtual Conference and Convention include informative programs and discussions related to library services. Our annual session with the Talking Book narrator, presented in co-operation with the Braille Revival League, gives attendees an opportunity to meet the narrator and ask questions; it is always popular and extremely well-attended. LUA also presents workshops on the latest book-related hardware and software applications.
Our 2021 convention programming will be available on ACB Radio and by telephone on the Zoom platform; continuing education credits will be available for selected sessions.
Library Without Walls
LUA brings its programs within the reach of every person in the country who is blind or visually impaired. Our Library without Walls conference calls on the Zoom platform are an opportunity to share good books on a variety of topics; calls are scheduled on the third Wednesday of every other month and are open to all. A complete list of books shared at each Library without Walls is compiled and posted on our LUA-members email list shortly after the calls.
LUA Link
New in 2020, LUA Link calls are presented twice a year. Speakers share important information about library issues and answer questions from participants. The first LUA Link featured Karen Keninger, director of the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS). ACB representatives to NLS committees joined the second call to explain the purpose and work of the committees.
LUA Ledger
"The LUA Ledger", our excellent magazine, is published two to three times a year and is available to members in braille, large print, and on NLS audio cartridge. Digital formats are posted on our lua-members email list.
Our Lists
LUA sponsors two email lists, and each has a specific purpose.
Library-talk is open to members and non-members alike, and includes announcements of LUA and related events. Discussion is permitted on library-talk. Anyone may subscribe by sending a blank message to [email protected].
LUA-members is a low-traffic list where our members receive digital formats of the LUA Ledger and book lists from Library without Walls. General library- and book-related announcements and discussion are discouraged on this list.
LUA Reference Room
Scroll down to the bottom of this page to visit the LUA Reference Room. This is a new feature, and we will be adding links to podcasts and recordings of LUA events and other related programming found elsewhere on the ACB Radio website. Check back often to discover what's new.
LUA Membership
At-large membership in LUA is open to everyone, and is only $12.00 for one year or $150.00 for a life membership. Join now and help us continue our good work on behalf of all who like to read. Have your credit card ready and call (502)897-1472, or visit www.paypal.com and send payment to [email protected].
LUA has chapters in California, Kentucky and Texas. If you live in or have ties to one of these states, we urge you to learn more about your chapter's activities and how you can get involved. Please note that chapters may have additional membership fees.
Contact Us
President - Carla Ruschival, (502) 897-1472; [email protected]
Membership - Carla Ruschival, (502) 897-1472; [email protected]
California Chapter - Phill Obregon (626) 275-8815; [email protected]
Kentucky Chapter - Carla Ruschival, (502) 897-1472; [email protected]
Texas Chapter - Michael Garrett, (281)438-9665; [email protected]
Reference Room
Talking Book Narrator Erin Jones Visits with LUA
Listen to the podcast - Erin Jones answers questions at the LUA meeting at the 2020 Conference and Convention of the American Council of the Blind.
The Work of NLS Committees - LUA Link, August 12, 2020
A conversation with ACB’s representatives to the following NLS committees: Reading Technology Advisory Group (RTAG): Ralph Smitherman and Brian Charlson, and Collections Development: Susan Glass. Learn how these groups function, what they do and what LUA members can do.
This webpage was last updated on July, 2023.