Jacksonville Public Library

For this assignment, I visited the Main Library and the Mandarin Library branches.  Both of these visits were informative and enlightening, as I learned a lot about what the Jacksonville Public Library has to offer.
The Special Needs Library at the Main branch has a variety of resources for individuals with disabilities.  They have assistive technology devices such as computers with ZoomText, a VideoEye machine, and a Sorenson Video Relay System (VRS).  Other resources offered by the Special Needs library are the Kurzweil 3000 text-to-speech software and a JAWS screen-reading tool.  The library also has an extensive collection of Talking Books available for use free of charge.

There were several individuals using the Special Needs Library's services when I visited.  One gentleman was using a computer with screen magnification software enabled.  Another person was utilizing the OpenBook scanning and reading software.

Other services offered by the Special Needs library are monthly Closed Captioning Movie Series for individuals with hearing impairments and a Described Movie Series for those with visual impairments.  The library also has a newsletter and a blog.

Talking Books

Talking Books Player

Sorenson VBS

ZoomText Computer

VideoEye System

Talking Book Cassette

I also visited my local library branch, the Mandarin Library on Kori Road.  This visit was in the evening, therefore there were many adults and children enjoying all the library has to offer.  This is an older library branch and therefore doesn't have all the "bells and whistles"that some of the other branches do.  However, updates have been made recently, such as the self-checkout machine.  This branch has two meeting rooms (one is actually a conference room).   

 

 

One of the services offered by this branch is an ESL Conversation Club that meets every Monday at 10:00am to practice conversational English skills.  The branch also hosts weekly storytime sessions for kids and families.  The library also hosts movie nights, guest reader visits, and various book clubs.  The meeting rooms are reserved for things such as tutoring, club meetings, as well as a voting precinct.  Tax assistance services and forms are also available at the branch.  An internet class for beginners is offered this month as well.  The Mandarin branch also has activities specific to teenage patrons, such as movie nights and an SAT Prep class.   

February's Schedule of Events and the Mandarin Branch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jacksonville Public Library's website is also a great resource.  It offers resources for readers of all ages, such as a newsletter, online bookstore, and access to ebooks available for download.