Bridgeport Public Library staff are always striving to make the library the most comfortable and accessible place for our patrons to use and enjoy. We listen to and value all feedback we get from our patrons about how to best achieve this goal. In recent months, we have heard from some patrons that they would benefit from a device that would make materials easier to read for those with visual impairments. Due to a generous donation from one of our patrons, this is now a reality!

 

Shannon Beam, our Information Services Librarian, has made great strides in ensuring our library is leading the way in accessibility standards. She works closely with patrons, listens to their feedback, and works with other staff to implement positive changes. This is what she had to say about our newest piece of accessibility equipment:

 

“We are excited to introduce our newest type of accessibility to our library—an enhanced vision machine. Donated generously by the Sutton family, the DaVinci Pro has both the capability to magnify up to 77 times the normal size of an object and to provide verbal output of reading material.

We can see so many uses for how our patrons might be able to utilize this unit. This device can turn any book, magazine, or newspaper into large print where it can be read while viewing the whole page or even isolate it to one line of text at a time. Additional features include adjusting contrast colors, brightness, as well as line and window markers. If working on a project such as a craft, this can also be used to enhance its size and increase visibility. Think about how difficult it can be to thread a needle, this would come in handy! The camera arm on the unit can even be turned towards the patron or to view something at a distance with different levels of magnification.

 

The other great feature of this unit is its ability to read material out loud. Patrons of all ages, including children learning to read, can really benefit from following along as the text is turned into speech. In speech mode, adjustments can be made to change voice speed, volume, and pausing in mid-text. Headphones are provided for privacy.

 

We hope patrons will stop in to give this device a try. It is located at one of our tables behind the front help desk where staff are ready to show patrons how easy it is to get started. There is also a user’s guide beside the unit to help along the way. Once again, we are grateful to the Sutton family for providing this for our community!”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo shows the new machine in use, while the bottom photo shows a close up of the magnification the latest piece of equipment provides.