Mini library helps blind read
A MINI library unit will make it possible for the blind to explore the joys of reading at the Komani Library.
The equipment, which consists of a document reader valued at R100 000, was handed over to the library last Thursday, courtesy of a partnership between the South African Library for the Blind (SALB) and the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture.
SALB Eastern Cape project coordinator Lydia Marques said the librarians had received training on how to operate the machine. “DSRAC is funding the project and SALB facilitates it,” Marques said.
“The organisation's library and information manager Lubabalo Dzedze announced more mini libraries would be rolled out through the Eastern Cape. We have managed to establish 37 libraries and have established mini libraries in four other provinces.”
Marques said the South African government prioritised blind people. “There is a special act in SA that protects the visually impaired people, which stipulates that they have a right to access information whether through braille or another form of technology.” She said SABL produced braille and audio books. “We have over 60 narrators and we try to narrate books in all different South African languages. There are limitations as we do not have many authors in every official language. Narrators try their best to get many books in all the native languages on CD.” Other electronic materials including magazines and newspapers were also available. “If people are interested in getting Drum magazine they must speak to their librarians to order it from SABL. What is also on offer is an audio Bible,” she said.