Kingsport, Tennessee: New library service for visually impaired

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

New library service for visually impaired

Patrons who are visually impaired now have free access to more than 60,000 digital books, textbooks, newspaper and magazines through the Kingsport Public Library’s website. Through this website, patrons with qualifying disabilities and proof of the disability can sign up online for the Library eBook Accessibility Program (LEAP). Qualified patrons can then download up to 20 accessible eBooks each month and receive them in Daisy and Braille formats – in either English or Spanish. Free Victor ReaderSoft and ReadOutLoud reading software is also available. OverDrive is funding LEAP to qualifying patrons at no cost to libraries and at no cost to patrons.

How to register: go to www.kingsportlibrary.org and then click on the “downloads” button on the right. This will take you to the OverDrive page where you will find a button “Accessible eBooks for the Print-Impaired’ on the top left-hand side of the page. Click and follow the instructions. You will need a library card to complete the form.

Helen Whittaker

Library Manager

Kingsport Public Library & Archives

400 Broad Street

Kingsport, TN 37660

(423)229-9488

(423)224-2558 fax

whittaker@ci.kingsport.tn.us

www.kingsportlibrary.org

www.MoveToKingsport.com is located on the Tennessee-Virginia border at the crossroads of I-81 and I-26 near the geographic center of the Eastern U.S. This city of 50,000 in a metro of 308,000, was planned by renowned American planner John Nolen in his office at Harvard Square. Located in the lush green foothills of the Tennessee Valley, it is surrounded by the Southern Highlands and mountain lakes. Kingsport is home to Marriott’s www.MeadowViewResort.com and thousands of acres of unique, natural amenities at Bays Mountain and Warriors Path Parks. The natural geography provides a temperate, well-balanced climate with four seasons and a natural shelter from extreme weather. Population growth has also been well-balanced, ensuring you will not outgrow your decision to relocate. With no personal property taxes, special assessments, or state income taxes on salaries/wages, you’ll find that Kingsport has a very low cost of living coupled with an exceptionally high quality of life (see for yourself at www.BestPlaces.net). The regional airport (TRI) has direct flights to Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Detroit, Orlando and St. Pete/Clearwater with easy access, parking, and virtually no security lines. The public education system was planned by Columbia University and Newsweek has repeatedly recognized the local high school as one of the best in America. Year in and year out our graduates go on to the top colleges and universities (and without costly private school tuition fees). Harvard also recognized Kingsport in 2009 with the Innovations in American Government Award for its higher education initiative. What are you waiting for? It’s time to leave the high costs, traffic jams, and stress behind and discover this hidden gem.