Accession Number: AnnRep3.170
Scope & Content: Holdings: 1903, 1905-1920, 1922-1940, 1942-1955, 1957-1959. Printed reports; include financial statements and black-and-white photo illustrations. Reports of 1903-1916 are for the previous fiscal year ending December 31. A second 1916 (35th) report is for fiscal year ending December 31, 1916. Reports up to 1916 (34th) have title "Report of . . . ." Later reports: "Annual Report." Inserted with 1940 report is an 8 p. leaflet: "The Pennsylvania Home Teaching Society and Free Circulating Library for the Blind: Its Purpose, Its Work and Its Accomplishment."
Creator: Pennsylvania Home Teaching Society and Free Circulating Library for the Blind
Interview Date: / /
Administrative History: The Pennsylvania Home Teaching Society and Free Circulating Library for the Blind was established in 1882 in Philadelphia by philanthropists of the city and through the advocacy of William Moon, founder of the Moon Society (Brighton, England) and inventor of Moon type. Originally called the Home Teaching Society for the Blind, the private non-profit organization offered in-home reading instruction of Moon Type (and, later, other tactile systems) to blind adults and was the first home teaching effort of its kind in the United States. The Society also made available a private library of embossed books. In 1898, the Free Public Library of Philadelphia agreed to house and make available the Society's library collection. The Society became known as the Philadelphia Home Teaching Society and Free Circulating Library for the Blind. It was incorporated in 1901 and the name changed to Pennsylvania Home Teaching Society and Free Circulating Library for the Blind.
Subjects: Services for the blind and visually impaired -- Pennsylvania Libraries Annual reports
Rights: Contact museum staff regarding reproduction of materials.