New accessibility equipment available at Belen Library

BELEN — “It can potentially make a lot of people’s lives easier,” said adult services library tech Katreena Kirkland about Belen Library’s new accessibility equipment.

The new equipment includes tools and technology that are especially helpful for those with dyslexia, low vision and information processing difficulties.

“We are really pushing right now to be as accessible as possible because the library should be for everyone,” said Kirkland.

The new technology was made possible by a $30,000 grant from the American Library Association, which is dedicated to improving accessibility to library services in smaller, more rural communities.

One of the most advanced pieces of technology the grant funded is a ClearView+ machine, described by Kirkland as an electric magnifier. The machine magnifies text of physical and digital materials and allows the user to change the color and contrast of the background and font to assist people with low vision or dyslexia.

“It’s good for small print books, but I’ve also seen a lot of people use it for different hobbies like coin collecting, stamp collecting … my husband came in and used it to look at really small minerals and rocks; it is really fun to use,” said Kirkland.

The library also acquired some handy, high-tech C-pen readers through the grant, which reads whatever printed text you scan with it out loud to you. It can also translate the text into different languages.

Kirkland said this tool is beneficial for many people, including those with dyslexia, learning disabilities or people learning another language.

The library also purchased software for some computers that will read out loud, LED lighted magnifying lenses, assistive listening devices to amplify sound and a couple large, high-contrast keyboards.

“If you have arthritis or something, a larger keyboard is easier to type on,” said Kirkland. “We’re also looking at getting a couple of touch screens, mostly for people I’ve noticed who have bad shaking and have a hard time with a mouse.”

Another added benefit is people can check out some of the accessibility equipment, such as the C-pens and magnifying lenses, for a week at a time to use at home.

“Then we do have some stuff in our cabinet that’s free for people to take if they need it, like (guided reading strip) bookmarks, pencil grippers and fidget toys,” said Kirkland. “It’s about making sure our services are available to everyone who needs them, no matter what they’re struggling with.”

Kirkland said several visitors have so far enjoyed the new tools, and they hope even more folks will give them a try.

“These services are available and people should be utilizing them. We do have a couple of people trained to help them with (the tools), and I want to make some cheat sheets for those who may be hesitant to ask for help,” said Kirkland.

“When I first started using these kinds of tools, I was like ‘this is so much easier. Why have I not been doing this for years?’ I think a lot of us have learned our tricks and stuff, like using a pencil to keep your words straight, and you figure out ways around it, but there are better things out there that just make your life easier.”