The Young People’s Library believes in bringing a new era of knowledge and information technologies to the blind and visually impaired and in enabling a new generation of the blind to thrive in the new digital age.
The YP library, in cooperation with Taha Hussein Library, organizes training courses for blind and visually impaired young adults on the use of the PC and software and on searching the BA catalog
Equipment:
Technology used in the Young People’s Library
Hardware:
3 PCs equipped with scanners, a special Braille printer and cassette recorders
Software:
The PCs in the YP Library are equipped with software that converts printed text into spoken words. Two types are available:
- Kurzweil software, a scan and read software used for totally blind groups. It enables them to listen to text that appears on the screen.
- IBSAR software for Arabic and English screens reader used for reading documents and Internet pages.
Braille books:
The Young People’s Library provided with 139 Braille books on different topics and a title list is available at the reference desk.
Talking books and free e-books:
The library provides talking books (books on Tapes) and a free set of Arabic and English e-books.
Services for patrons with disabilities
- Deaf and hearing impaired and physically disabled patrons
The library is currently designing special systems and accommodations for deaf and hearing impaired patrons as well as the physically disabled. Appropriate assistive technology will be provided to enable disabled patrons to better access all library services. Services for this type of patrons will be found in the Young People’s Library SOON