By Nangamso Mabindla
24 Aprl 2007

THE world of books has been opened for blind and visually impaired people in Mdantsane with the opening of the first Digital Minilib at the Mdantsane Library on Monday, 23 April.

The launch, on World Book Day, is a partnership between the South African Library for the Blind (Blindlib), the Raith Foundation and the Buffalo City Public Library. It is aimed at meeting the reading and information needs of blind and visually impaired people.

Talking about the Digital Minilib, Blindlib board chairman William Rowland said the new system was the best he had ever used. "I am used to all kinds of technology for the blind and visually impaired, but I feel that the Digital Minilib is the best I have used."

He emphasized the sound quality, the design and the easy-to-use qualities of the Digital Minilib. "It is such a pleasure for blind people. And another benefit is that blind and visually impaired people will now be integrated with other libraries; we will not have to use separate facilities."

Rowland was happy that the project was being piloted in Mdantsane, which was home to an estimated 4 000 blind and visually impaired people. "Good things always take place in big cities - we are excited that we had our pilot in Mdantsane. I am sure the blind will make it work, and then we will take it to other areas."

An excited Mary Davidson, from the City's arts and culture unit, was also happy that the project was being piloted in Mdantsane. "I am happy that this system will be available for our people here in Mdantsane. I am also thrilled that this historic moment, the first Digital Minilib in the country, is being launched on World Book Day."

She urged people to use the facilities to benefit all the blind and visually impaired people of Mdantsane.

The Digital Minilib includes a lockable, fully operational computer workstation with screen reading and screen enlargement software and an accessible collection of popular books using the international Digital Accessible Information System (Daisy) format. The Daisy format is available online, on CD and in Braille. There are 20 Daisy players that can be borrowed from the Mdantsane Public Library.