The Albert Lea Public Library has a new option for its visitors with vision problems. In December they purchased an LCD terminal with a text magnifier.

&uot;It allows people with low vision to utilize library materials,&uot; Lori Barkema, library director, said.

Theresa Schmidt, a librarian, wrote the grant for the project. The grant came from the Library Services and Technology Act, a federal program which allocates grants for libraries.

The cost of the terminal was $3,795, and was paid in full through the grant. The table for it was donated by the Lions’ Club.

The terminal uses an LCD screen and a camera to magnify written words and pictures in books, magazines, newspapers or other materials. The library is waiting for a book holder, which will help to guide the book for easier reading.

County Commissioner Dan Belshan had pursued the project for three years.

Belshan said he knew some people in the area who are sight impaired and felt that it would be a good investment for the community in order to make the library more accessible to all.

&uot;I was very pleased that (the grant) came through,&uot; he said. &uot;That’s one of those success stories where everyone got together and got something done that was good for the community.&uot;