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The I.D. Weeks Library at the University of South Dakota is one of two university libraries to participate in the Library Technology Access (LTA) initiative sponsored by Hewlett-Packard and the Association of Specialized and Collaborative Libraries (ASCLA). Through the LTA initiative, the I.D. Weeks Library installed two assistive/adaptive PC workstations designed to give access to library resources to people with disabilities.
Christopher Bloss is assistant professor and Instructional Services Librarian at the library. Professor Bloss oversaw the installation of the HP LTA workstations in the spring of 2003, and he has watched the usage statistics climb steadily. He praises the functionality they provide, saying “the long-term significance for patrons is of indescribable value.”
The University of South Dakota is a hub for people from a vast geographical area. Because of the state’s relatively low population, residents travel long distances to make use of the campus’ resources, including the library. Statewide, community outreach groups bring their members to the I.D. Weeks Library to take advantage of the new workstations. For example, the Center for Independent Living brings patrons to use the highly adaptive Compaq Evo PCs from HP. Professor Bloss also cites numerous referrals of patrons from the university’s Office of Disability Services.
“We are seeing phenomenal usage of the workstations, even during the summer,” says Professor Bloss. “We’ve been providing demonstrations and workshops to all sorts of groups to encourage people to use the new PCs.” The workstations have offered a degree of unparalleled access to the academic library at the university, he says.
One workstation, designed for individuals with low-vision or blindness, includes the following software packages: JAWS for Windows and OpenBook from Freedom Scientific, and ZoomText Magnifier from Ai Squared. JAWS and OpenBook software packages read scanned or Internet text to patrons. ZoomText Magnifier is a software package that provides patrons with various viewing selections so they can scan, magnify, and change font colors in order to increase their ability to read or hear the text they select. This workstation also includes an Aladdin Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) from Telesensory that can be used to magnify printed materials, change color overlays of text, and mark text with horizontal or vertical highlights.
The second workstation, designed to assist individuals with learning and mobility differences, includes a Tracker 2000 pointing device from Madentec; a Kurzweil 3000 scanning, reading and writing solution from Kurzweil Educational Systems; and the literacy support system Read & Write Gold from TextHELP!. The Tracker 2000 is an infrared device that sits on top of the flat-screen computer monitor and tracks an infrared adhesive strip that may be applied to a user’s head, cap, or pencil and allows users to create text using the on-screen keyboard. The Kurzweil 3000 allows patrons to scan multiple pages of virtually any text – including reading assignments for college students – and then select a synthesized voice, determine the speech speed, and listen to the text using headphones. Read & Write Gold highlights text, reads text, and offers a comprehensive dictionary and word prediction for patrons who are writing papers.
One of the most advanced uses of the software packages includes using Kurzweil 3000 to scan a text document, saving it as an RTF file, opening the RTF file in Read & Write Gold, and saving the text as either a WAV or MP3 file. With this method, students can scan documents, save them to a CD, and listen to them at home.
Complementary external devices that came with the LTA workstations include various keyboards and pointing devices (mice). One keyboard is four-times larger than the standard keyboard; another offers easy accessibility for individuals who may experience loss of mobility in an arm. Pointing devices include a standard mouse, a roller-ball mouse, a joystick device, and a touch-pad.
Both LTA computer workstations are equipped with high-end HP scanners and laser printers in order to offer the best possible text resolution for patrons. In addition, the basic LTA workstation configuration includes ergonomic furniture consisting of an electronic desk and a highly maneuverable chair to ensure the patron’s comfort while working at the PC.
All librarians at the University of South Dakota were asked to attend training sessions led by systems integrator TransAccess in order to be able to demonstrate the equipment to the various departments they serve. Additional training sessions were offered to the faculty of the School of Education, administrators of the Law School, students of Special Education and other interested parties. Patrons wanting to use the HP workstations may contact the on-duty reference librarian for assistance with any aspect of the hardware or software. Additionally, all librarians are available for appointments beyond normal duty hours.
At present, the two workstations are password-protected to ensure that users attend a short training session. The session also provides the librarian an opportunity to talk with a patron to ensure he is using the best hardware and software to meet his needs.
“People are in awe of the equipment when they see it in action,” says Professor Bloss. “As an academic institution, we are pleased to offer these special workstations to help our students, faculty members and extended community learn and work more effectively.”
For more information about the I. D. Weeks ADA Library Services, please visit the I.D. Weeks Library page on the University of South Dakota Web site.
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