Do you know anyone who has severe eye problems or has trouble holding a book? They could qualify as a library patron for the St. Clair County Library for the Blind & Physically Handicapped (LBPH) service.
LBPH is a national- and state-funded library within the St. Clair County Library System, located in the basement of the Main Library. This department loans audiobooks (also known as talking books) through the mail to qualifying residents in St. Clair, Sanilac, Tuscola, and Huron counties. Mary Redigan, LBPH coordinator, states, "We are pleased to offer this service that can positively impact individuals who might otherwise miss out on reading".
Patrons are able to borrow large print books and magazines for up to 4 months, while braille and audio materials are loaned for 4 weeks. Talking books are played on a specially designed machine called a "digital talking book machine", which is loaned and delivered free of charge. Favorite authors and subjects can be requested to personalize the service.
LBPH also has adaptive equipment available for use to all library patrons. The adaptive computer has JAWS software, which reads the computer screen to the user, and Duxbury, a program that converts text into braille that can be embossed for only 10¢ per page. There is also a machine that scans text documents such as bank statements or utility bills and reads them back.
If you are interested in learning more about this valuable service, please call us at 810.982.3600.