Making Assistive Technology Work at Libraries

The Brooks Free Library remains one of only two public libraries in the country offering an instructional program – but we hope to change that. Many libraries have literacy programs, and we see VITAL as falling under that umbrella. Teaching people with sight loss to use assistive technology does teach literacy – our “graduates” now have access to print again and can read and write independently.

Many librarians at the conference hadn’t previously heard of VITAL. Before and after the ceremony people interested in learning more approached us. There is a growing awareness of the need for services for people with sight loss, especially as our population ages. These librarians just didn’t know what they could do to help. We share our experiences so they won’t have to start from scratch, and offer free training to them. One librarian said, “The whole idea blew me away.” With her mother losing her sight, she was aware of the growing need for services for people with vision loss, but she had never contemplated starting an instructional program until she read about VITAL. She said she realized right away what a natural fit it is for libraries to provide this service.

Read it all here.

Published on May 27, 2008

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