Library of Congress, APH and NLS

The relationship between these entities is a highly structured federal partnership that has existed since the early 1930s. It helps to look at it as a chain of command:

1. The Library of Congress (The Parent)

The Library of Congress is the ultimate “home” for the program. It provides the legal authority under the Pratt-Smoot Act of 1931, which mandates that the government provide reading materials for those who cannot use standard print. It also manages the Chafee Amendment, a copyright exception that allows these books to be recorded without paying traditional commercial royalties, provided they are restricted to eligible patrons.

2. The National Library Service (NLS) (The Administrator)

The NLS is a specific division within the Library of Congress. Think of them as the Project Managers.

Selection: They decide which books get recorded (e.g., “We need a new version of Unfinished Tales“).
Funding: They receive the federal budget and pay for the production of the books and the Talking Book Machines.
Distribution: They manage the cloud-based BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) system and a nationwide network of regional libraries that mail out the cartridges.

3. The American Printing House for the Blind (APH) (The Factory & Studio)

The APH is a private, non-profit organization (based in Louisville, KY) that acts as one of the primary Contractors for the NLS.

The Studio: While the NLS manages the program, the actual recording happens at the APH. This is why you hear the names of narrators like Erin Jones, Roy Avers, and John Horton – they were professional voice talents hired by the APH to work in their specialized booths.
Technical Standards: The APH follows strict NLS specifications (like the 15/16 ips speed for cassettes or the DAISY standard for digital) to ensure the books are accessible and navigable for the blind.