Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Phyllis Noah, Communications Coordinator
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu or pnoah@shawnee.edu
Web site: www.shawnee.edu

            A new service for the blind, dyslexic and visually impaired is now available at Shawnee State University’s Clark Memorial Library.
            The Victor Reader Stream is a handheld digital talking book and MP3 player weighing about six ounces with easy-to-operate controls. There is an LED light for individuals with low vision to know when the unit is off, on, or charging. In addition, there are audio indicators for all the operations.
            The “Stream” can store talking books from the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, the Digital Accessible Information System, Accessible Books and Periodicals for Readers with Print Disabilities, along with a personal music collection and text files from personal computers.
            All content stored on the Stream is on a memory card that students can borrow with the device or they may use their own card.
            Library Director Connie Salyers Stoner was a recipient of a grant from the State Library of Ohio to purchase the equipment for students who have sight-related issues through the Library Services and Technology Act.
            “We see it as a way to improve our services,” Stoner said. “The Victor Reader will be available for checkout from the library circulation counter for a 24-hour-period.”
            The “Stream” doubles as a handy voice recorder for personal notes, meetings or lectures. The audible book program from Amazon is also compatible.
            Material is copied to the Stream using Windows Explorer. Separate folders, called Bookshelves, store various book types such as talking books, audible books, music, podcasts, text files or notes. Everything in the Stream is voice guided. There is a built-in text-to-speech synthesizer for listening to material.
            For more information or a demonstration of the Stream, contact Ann Marie Short at (740) 351-3462.