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Named by the journal American Libraries as one of the best public libraries in the nation (PDF file) in its population category, the Johnson County (KS) Library uses its resources well to serve its patrons. To ensure that all members of the community can enjoy the library's services, the library has created a Special Services Unit charged with addressing the needs of the elderly, the homebound, and people with disabilities who are unable to come to the library. This unit of the county library, in conjunction with the Central Resource Library Reference staff, oversees the use of the HP workstations which were provided through the Library Technology Access Project (2002).
Johnson County Library operates a branch system with 13 locations on the southwest corner of the metropolitan Kansas City area. The two HP workstations were installed in a central location to literally make them accessible to more people. The library's ADA representative, Donna Lauffer, oversaw the project. "We're so excited to be part of the LTA initiative," says Ms. Lauffer. "The word is getting out that we have the equipment now, and once people learn about it, they come in to use it."
The Special Services Unit and the project team made a determined effort to identify and reach out to regional organizations that help people with disabilities. The library also contacted local schools to let them know of the availability of the workstations designed for people with various disabilities or special needs. "One of the public school districts sent their counselors to us for a demonstration," says Ms. Lauffer. "We're hoping they'll spread the word to parents and students, especially to those with learning disabilities." One of the HP workstations is specially configured to help persons with cognitive or learning disabilities.
Ms. Lauffer says they offer demonstrations of the equipment. She says it's not uncommon to hear someone in the audience exclaim, "I didn't know they made such things!"
Like all the other libraries in the LTA initiative, Johnson County Library received basic training from TransAccess on how to use all the equipment. This library took training a step further, however, by hiring a local consultant to do more intensive staff training. "We felt it was important for our 25-member staff to feel comfortable with all the equipment and software," explains Ms. Lauffer. "We offer our patrons one-on-one demonstrations or training on how to use the assistive technology according to their personalities and needs." Many users of the systems feel comfortable learning the basics from the online "webinars' produced by HP. For those who need more extensive help, the library staff is ready to assist. In fact, the equipment was placed in a separate room adjacent to the reference desk to make it more convenient for patrons to ask questions and staff members to provide help.
The HP LTA equipment is beginning to see good usage. According to Ms. Lauffer, the PC configured for the visually impaired receives the most use. "They like the speech features," she says. One patron brings his elderly mother to the library. She has macular degeneration, resulting in vision loss. While she hadn't ever used a computer before, she learned how to use the HP workstation and the magnified text features. According to Ms. Lauffer, patrons use the PC to read letters, fill out forms, and generally take care of personal business.
The library also sees patients from a local rehabilitation center come in to use the equipment. "We've had stroke patients who are relearning how to do things. Whether the patrons have a mobility impairment, or a problem with vision, or some other condition, we can show them how to use the computer to adapt to their needs," says Ms. Lauffer. Patrons can use the Madentec Tracker 2000 software, which allows for interaction with the PC through a head-mounted infrared pointing device. "It's gratifying to see people who cannot operate a regular PC find their niche with these specially adapted PCs."
For additional information about Johnson County Library, please visit www.jocolibrary.com
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