Coquitlam book lovers who are blind, have impaired vision or dyslexia — or have challenges holding up a hard-cover publication or turning pages — now have more library resources at their fingertips.
Last month, the Coquitlam Public Library added 18 more Daisy MP3 players to its collection, bringing the total to 30 devices.
The dozen Victor Reader Stratus 4M Daisy MP3 players have been a hot commodity since they were first introduced to library patrons: There is now a waitlist to loan out a machine for users with print disabilities.
Library technician Roseanne Hoekstra told the Tri-City News on Wednesday that the HumanWare products, which weigh about five pounds each, can be used with the library’s CD audiobooks in Daisy format.
As well, digital materials can be sent to patrons with free registration to CELA (the Centre for Equitable Library Access) once the device code is paired.
The players can be loaned out for up to 120 days to anyone with a print disability, and can be passed on to patrons ages 60 and up through the library’s home delivery service.
Funding for the additional 18 devices came from a $10,000 grant from the federal government’s Emergency Community Support Program via the Coquitlam Foundation. As well, the CAO Foundation bought one machine for the library, said Jay Peters, marketing and communications spokesperson.
• To borrow a Daisy reader, apply through the library’s home service by calling 604-554-7335 or emailing outreach@coqlibrary.ca. More information about the products is available at coqlibrary.ca/services/accessibility-services.
