07/01/2009: "Assistive Technology For Loan At SJI Library"

Thanks to a new grant the San Juan Island Library is lending high tech digital talking book players for people with low vision.

Magnifiers, lamps, and other devices are also available. These are all part of the “try before you buy” collection of aids that may help people with various disabilities such as low vision or stroke continue to read in a variety of formats from audio to large print.

Each item may be borrowed, just like a library book, for three weeks, and the loan period may be extended if no one else is waiting for the item.

The new audio readers are manufactured by Humanware, a company that specializes in technology for people with vision disabilities, and they are easy to use. The digital Victor Reader Stream provides features like bookmarks and the ability for the reader to make notes. The easy to use Classic plays CDs on a long life rechargeable battery and is lightweight and portable, with big buttons that talk and say what they do, such as “fast forward” or “volume down.”

The grant, called an Assistive Technology Grant, was from the Washington State Library, a division of the Office of the Secretary of State. The funding was provided under the provisions of the Library and Services and Technology Act and originated from the federal Institute of Museum and Library Services. The San Juan Island Library is primarily funded through property taxes. The grant provided approximately $1050.00 to purchase three audio readers.

A display of the collection is at the library now through July 10 in the foyer entrance.
Library cards are free to island residents with proof of residency. Library hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, Tuesday and Thursday from 10 AM to 8 PM, Saturday from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 1 PM to 5 PM.