The State Library of Ohio is pleased to announce that the State Library Board recently awarded $13,598 in IMLS Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) Special Grants to help five libraries purchase VictorReader Stream digital players. The VictorReader Stream digital player is an ultra-compact unit for the blind and those with visual impairments. The libraries receiving the grants include Birchard Public Library, Fremont; Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library, Chillicothe; Cleveland State University, Michael Schwartz Library, Cleveland; Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, Cincinnati; and Shawnee State University, Clark Memorial Library, Portsmouth.

 

Fitting into the palm of a hand, the Reader allows users to download books ranging from novels to textbooks and complex manuals. “I am pleased that librarians are committed to serving all members of their library communities. The VictorReader Stream is an excellent resource for serving blind and physically disabled patrons,” said State Librarian of Ohio, Jo Budler. “Placing the VictorReader Streams in libraries will allow users with visual disabilities to download a large amount of content. It is compatible with many digital library collections including the National Library Services’ (NLS) new digital talking books and the Ohio eBook Project.” 

 

The State Library of Ohio, in partnership with the LSTA Advisory Council, representatives of the National Federation of the Blind, and Universal Low Vision Aids, collaborated to develop this special grant program and discounted pricing for the VictorReader Stream.   The grant will enable the five libraries to purchase the VictorReader Stream Library Edition from Universal Low Vision Aids for the discounted price of $370 per unit. With the grant, each unit will cost a library $92.50 to be matched by $277.50 in IMLS LSTA federal funds.The grants were awarded to the following libraries.

 

Birchard Public Library, $1,665, for the purchase of 6 VictorReader Stream machines. The Library plans to partner with the Sandusky County Board of Developmental Disabilities (SCBofDD). SCBofDD will use the VictorReader Streams with their Next Chapter Book Club.  SCBofDD and the Library’s Outreach Department will market the machines directly to patrons.

 

Chillicothe and Ross County Public Library, $555, for the purchase of 2 VictorReader Stream machines to be made available to patrons of the Library’s Special Services Department.

 

Cleveland State University, Michael Schwartz Library, $2,775, for the purchase of 10 VictorReader Stream machines. The Library partners with the Occupational Therapy Department and the Office of Disability Services to provide services to students through the Library’s Adaptive Technology Lab. VictorReader Streams will be used to offer alternative formats of student textbooks.

 

Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County, $8,325, for the purchase of 30 VictorReader Stream machines to complement and enhance the services and adaptive equipment designed to meet the needs of PLCHC blind and visually impaired users. Users will be able to download a variety of material and the machines are compatible with the National Library Services’ digital talking books.

 

Shawnee State University, Clark Memorial Library, $278, for the purchase of one VictorReader Stream machine to be made available through the Student Success Center Special Needs Services.

 

To view a YouTube video of Ohioan Eric Duffy demonstrating the features of the VictorReader Stream go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qy7UlyZf_aQ.

 

More information on the VictorReader Stream can be found at: http://www.humanware.com/en-usa/products/blindness/dtb_players/compact_models/_details/id_81/victorreader_stream.html. You can also see a Humanware Technologies YouTube video about the VictorReader Stream at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g54Y8kdrsHk.