About

Library Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

The Library Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is a statewide special library dedicated to meeting the information and accessibility needs of the deaf, hard of hearing, and deaf-blind communities, as well as meeting the information needs about hearing loss to all Tennesseans. 

Our lending library of over 14,000 books, media programs, and assistive communication devices is the largest in a public library in the country! 

• Information for the hearing public about hearing loss and deafness. 
• Accessible informational and entertaining materials for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.
• Materials about deaf-blindness.
• Information on how to communicate with a person who is Deaf or hard of hearing.
• An extensive lending library of books, media programs and assistive devices 
• Information and referral services 
• Accessible adult and children’s programming 
• Professional in-service training programs 
• Publishing the Tennessee Directory of Services for People who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing 
• Demonstration area of assistive devices 
• Video Relay Service access

Get a Card

Regardless of where you live in Tennessee you may borrow materials from the Library Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing collection.  Your hometown will determine the type of library card you will need. 

• Nashville residents simply need a Nashville Public Library card. 
• Residents of Tennessee living outside of Davidson County may complete an LSDHH Application and have materials mailed directly to them. To access online books and media services please contact us and we will give you your library card number over the phone, videophone, or through email.

History

The Library Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing has been in existence on a local level, in Nashville, since August 1978, and statewide in Tennessee since 1983. The initial program, a TTY News Service (1978-2001), provided international, national, state and local news and statewide weather reports to the deaf community. Services expanded to include a small lending library of books and media programs beginning in 1979. Once-a-month open-captioned movies were also shown at the Nashville Public Library Main Library as an initial programming effort during the first couple of years.

Over time, we have expanded programming based on identified needs in the Deaf and hard of hearing communities and with an eye towards educating the hearing public about hearing loss in an effort to eliminate myths and misconceptions about hearing loss. We have evolved to become a premier statewide library program offering a wide array of information, programs, and services to all Tennesseans – free of charge!

Funding has been a concern and a challenge from the outset. Initially, federal LSCA (Library Service and Construction Act) grant funds supported the program. Then, in July 1986 the Tennessee State Legislature approved funding for the program. Additional funds were appropriated in 1993. Federal grant funds administered by the State of Tennessee and community grants have supplemented the program through the years. We gratefully acknowledge continued funding for the Library Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing from the Tennessee State Library and Archives, Tennessee Department of State!

The Library Services for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing would not be in existence today without the continued unwavering support of the Nashville Public Library. Although the State of Tennessee funds the program it has always been and continues to be administered by the Nashville Public Library.

AskSandy – The National Hearing Loss Resource Website

The National Hearing Loss Resource Website unites each state’s resources for the Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, people who are hearing, parents, professionals, educators, children, and adults. Find resources, job listings, and events all over the country.