SuperNova Access Suite Case Study: 21st Century Library Access in the Wirral.

With three central libraries and twenty one branches, Wirral Library Service provides the local community with a network of 300 public computers. Peter Aspinall, has been employed by Wirral Libraries since 1988 and has seen some real changes. His current role is that of Project Officer for the Beechwood Information and Communication Technology Partnership. Peter has responsibility for the operation of 9 European funded IT projects in the Wirral.

He explains, “The way people use the library is changing, and people want and expect computers to be a part of the service.” Every library in the Wirral has at least one public computer, and some have as many as twenty. These include the nine special IT suites, which fall under Peter’s project management. The investment in technology has been made possible through grants from the European Regional Development Fund.

"The aim is to enhance IT skills and so extend opportunities in employment and to encourage lifelong learning opportunities to those already employed or not actively seeking work,” says Peter. “We’ve already noticed a huge surge in demand over the past couple of years, and it’s just a matter of keeping up” The library is very much part of the community and is used by young and old, able and disabled. Wirral Libraries have paid special attention to ensuring that everyone can use their new computer services.

The Seacombe Library ICT unit opened in February 2001 and serves as a centre for vocational and pre-vocational training provided by Wirral Metropolitan College, Birkenhead Sixth Form College and Merseyside WEA. The project involved adapting the suite for people with disabilities while keeping it accessible for the able-bodied. For the visually impaired, Supernova Reader Magnifier software is available. This works alongside all the usual software programs, but magnifies the screen and reads information aloud, so that users can listen to the computer instead of looking at the screen. There is an extra bonus for library visitors with visual difficulties: Supernova is not just limited to the special suite at Seacombe but can be used from any of the Wirral Library Service’s 300 computers.

Peter Aspinall explains, “It was important to us to make visually impaired access part of our standard service. We heard about the Supernova software and were pleased to learn that people who are blind or have poor vision could use our existing computers with it. Then we realised that Supernova could be installed on our wide area network, meaning it could be accessed from any of our computers.” Around 1.5 million people in the UK are blind or have low vision, and one in 12 people over 60 have difficulty reading print even with glasses or contact lenses. It is important to make printed information easy to read, and putting it online works well for everyone.

"Having just one accessible computer is a start, but can be discriminatory,” Peter continues. “It’s awkward to tell someone they can only use the computer in the corner and all the others are off limits to them. We really wanted to make computer access part of our standard service, and Supernova allows us to do that. By installing Supernova software on all 300 public machines we aim to ensure that people with visual impairments have equal opportunities to access the facilities for both formal training and open access sessions.”

Peter also works closely with the Council’s Social Services Sensory Impairment team to offer clients the most comprehensive support to access the software and has arranged training in the package for many “front-line” staff. He says, “We had a training session recently and our staff were amazed at the potential that Supernova offers. We’re feeling very positive!” Wirral Library computer suites are all equipped with printers, scanners and access to the Internet and email facilities, as well as a range of other software programs. All these can be enhanced for people with a visual impairment thanks to Supernova.

For more information please visit http://www.wirral-libraries.net

User Stories index

Buy it Try it