NLSD
National Literary Society of the Deaf
Established February 6, 1907

About Us

Welcome       Board       Affiliates       Partners       Boosters       FAQ

Welcome
On behalf of the board, I welcome you to the homepage of the National Literary Society of the Deaf (NLSD) which has just celebrated its 100th founding anniversary. During this time, members have enjoyed its monthly (except during the summer) programs related to literary and current events.  Members have generally consisted of deaf adults living in the Washington, DC, area. 

Now in this recently arrived 21st century, NLSD has been recognized as the oldest and only deaf organization in the nation known to promote literary, books, reading, cultures, and library accessibility.  We are now a national organization and are in the process of obtaining tax-exempt status and incorporation to assist with our future fundraising endeavors.

Alice L. Hagemeyer, founder of the Friends of Libraries for Deaf Action (FOLDA), and the originator of the award-winning THE RED NOTEBOOK: DEAF AWARENESS BEGINS @ YOUR LIBRARY, will serve as the NLSD director.  She was recently awarded honorary membership in the American Library Association for her work in increasing library access for the deaf community.   (Click here for more information about her.)   The board, soon to be expanded to 9 members (whose names will be posted here), will be working on the bylaws.

NLSD promotes networking and shared resources to assure the provision of cost-effective and efficient library services to the deaf community regardless of location. We will be regularly checking and updating resources and other tools for accuracy and usefulness.

Currently, we also have a short-range plan to assist public libraries in enhancing both their deaf cultural programs and outreach activities for older adults who use or want to learn sign language. 

Please visit us often and if you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,
 
 Ricardo Lopez, President
National Literary Society of the Deaf



Board members

President  Ricardo Lopez   rilopi@aol.com
Vice President
  (vacant)
Secretary
  Bernard J. Sussman
Treasurer
  Patti Huston


Member-at-large
  James L. Casterline, Jr
Member-at-large
  Lois Hoover
Member-at-large
 George Schroeder


Acting Director:
 Alice L. Hagemeyer   nls1907@aol.com
Historian:
 Agnes Sutcliiffe
Webmaster:
 Ron Friedrich   r.friedrich@juno.com
               
  

NLSD Partners
As of November 5, 2008

National Organizations and Businesses
1.
 ASL Access   www.aslaccess.org
Chris Wixtrom, Founder/President.  Email: cwixtrom@gmail.com
"Visualize Life with American Sign Language"
ASL Access promotes public access to American Sign Language (ASL) video resources
2.
 AASL Rose  http://aslrose.com/handseyes.php
3.
 Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA),
A division of the American Library Association  (ALA)
www.ala.org/ala/ascla/asclaourassoc/joinascla/joinascla.cfm
4.
 Children of Deaf Adults International (CODA) 
www.coda-international.org
5.
 DawnSignPress      www.dawnsign.com
6.
 Deaf Bilingual Coalition (DBC)  www.dbcusa.org
7.
 Gallaudet University / Academic Technology, Library, and Archive Services (ATLAS)   http://atlas.gallaudet.edu
8.
 Harris Communications  www.harriscomm.com
9.
 International Institute of Deaf Services (IIDS) www.Enablelight.com
First organization to implement "Deaf History Month" program with a local public library in Birmingham, AL, 2007 
Alabama Association of the Deaf supports this program

10.
 MSM Productions Ltd / Deaf Life   www.deaflife.com
11.
National Association of the Deaf - Library Friends Section (NAD-LFS)       www.nad.org/lfs 
State and Local
Maryland
12.
 Christ Lutheran Church of the Deaf -- Deaf Literary Project
www.christdeaf.org
13.
 Maryland Association of the Deaf -- Library Friends Committee (MDAD-LFC)
Chair: Rev. Mark Ehrlichmann
www.mdad.tv

14.
 Maryland School for the Deaf -- Library in Frederick   
www.msd.edu
Nebraska
15.
 Nebraska School for the Deaf Alumni Association
Library Committee (NSDAA - LC) 
www.nsdaa.org
Puerto Rico
16.
 Deaf Library Friends of Puerto Rico (PR-DLF)
Contact through www.folda.net/nlsd
First in America to implement a program featuring "Deaf America Reads" at a local public library in San Juan in 2008

Organizations wishing to form partnerships with NLSD will please make checks payable to NLSD ($100 or more) and mail to:
Patricia S. Huston, NLSD Treasurer
3114 Patterson PL. NW
Washington, DC 20015
Fees are good only until December 15, 2010.   In 2011 and beyond, NLSD board will have a new policy on partnerships.
Partners' Benefits
  • Free access to The Red Notebook: Deaf Resources @ your library online and e-newsletter: Deaf Community and Library News.  Courtesy of FOLDA
  • Purchase of NLSD “Deaf America Reads” products at discounts: i.e. buttons, bookmarks, posters
  • Partners may offer to represent NLSD at International, National, State and local library conferences and events upon approval of the NLSD board.



Frequently Asked Questions
Can we publicize our deaf events on your web site?
Certainly if they are hosted by public libraries
http://www.folda.net/nlsd/news.htm#eventform.
 
NOTE:
Please submit questions to NLS1907@aol.com
Give your name and town.

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