Assistive Technologies and Vision Aids

We are proud to offer a variety of assistive technologies and visual aids for use by our patrons.  The equipment and brief descriptions are listed below.  Please contact Irene Gillies or Amy Andreasson at the library (508-945-5170) for further assistance or questions.

Optelec Clearview Machine - a closed circuit magnifier that can display any book or paper on its video screen, magnified to whatever size is most comfortable to the viewer.  The viewer can change background and type color, view in color or black and white, or take advantage of such features as displaying only one line at a time. 

Reading Edge - a Kurzweil reader from the Xerox Company. Scan a book or typewritten page as you would on a photocopier and a computerized voice will read the page aloud. 

Zoomtext - Computer software to assist in using the Internet for e-mail and searching. Loaded in the public computer room with a large screen. Call ahead to reserve the computer.  Training for Zoomtext is available through VITAL center at Brooks Library in Harwich.

Books on Compact Disc and Playaways - We have a large collection of audiobooks, both fiction and nonfiction, to satisfy every reader's taste.

Large Print Books - Sometimes a larger type size is all that's needed to read comfortably. The library has thousands of books in large print, fiction, nonfiction, bestsellers, classics, poetry, cookbooks and more.

MonoMouse Magnifier - a portable closed circuit magnifier that you can hook up to your own television set for use at home.  Check it out, just like a book, for two weeks.

Patrons can also receive access to library services through the Perkins School for the Blind website. Patrons can sign up for the Perkins Braille and Talking Book Library program.

Vision Impaired Technology  Assistance at the Library (VITAL) is available at the Brooks Free Library in Harwich.  This program offers free one-on-one instructions in the use of their access software programs to individuals with sight loss.  The VITAL resource area contains brochures, handouts and catalogs of special interest to people with vision impairment.  Please contact the Brooks Free Library for more information at 508-430-7562.