Albert Square and St Stephen’s Association

The Tate South Lambeth Library is piloting some pioneering new aids for users with visual impairments – with financial support for one gadget coming from ASSA through the monies we raise through community fundraising activities.

ASSA contributed £350 towards the costs of a pioneering new mouse reader plus screen. The mouse, which is larger than the average computer mouse and has an in-built camera, is plugged into a TV screen and can be dragged or nudged across text, which is then magnified to be easily read on the large screen (see photo). This gadget should do much to help visually impaired readers make even more use of the library.

The project, developed by Vauxhall CIC (Community Interest Company), had an airing in the library during National Libraries Day on Saturday 8 February, and has since been installed, along with new accessible keyboards on all the public computers in the library – the first in the UK to install such keyboards, which are very visually clear and user-friendly.

Ed Vaizey, the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, visited the library on 4 March to see the new equipment in action, and was clearly impressed by the project, as well as by the regulars at the Digital Tuesdays for visually impaired users, who spoke very forcefully of the need for such aids and how life-changing the weekly events are for those who lose their sight.

Christina Burnett, a director of Vauxhall CIC, says that the TV mouse and screen “will make it possible for people who can’t see small print to access all the books, newspapers and other printed information in the library once again.

“We are very grateful to ASSA as the equipment will make a huge difference to the lives of many local people.”

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A first for Albert Square on Thursday 27 June – an evening production of Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors – with Motown soundtrack! The garden opens from 5.00pm for picnics before the show begins at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10/£5 (children free).

For tickets and further details, contact: Albert Square Garden Trust, c/o 27 Albert Square SW8 1DA or: albertsquaregardentrust@london.com

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The Friends of Tate South Lambeth Library are inviting local residents to the following events at the library in South Lambeth Road:

•  January’s free film screening – Sicko:  Wednesday 16 January, 6.45pm (doors open at 6.30pm). A documentary by Michael Moore, comparing the quality of health care provided in the United States with free, universal care in Canada, the UK and France. Moore contrasts reports in the US media on Canadian care with Canadians’ experience of hospitals and clinics there. He also interviews patients and doctors in the UK. Screening permission granted by Lambeth’s Keep Our NHS Public (KNOP).
• Gardening group – Saturday 10 January, 3-4pm. A workshop on building an earth box.
• Annual party for Friends – and friends of Friends; Wednesday 23 January 7pm. A pre-Burns Night Party, offering the traditional fare of haggis (including a veggie version) neeps, tatties, whisky (as well as other drinks) . Entertainment will include Scots poetry, a singing session and an introduction by May Anderson, the well-known local artist (and a proud Scot), on her exhibition at Tate Local. Entrance is free to members of Friends of Tate South Lambeth library. But you can join Friends at the door – and be welcomed in.
• Gardening group – Saturday 24 January, 3-4pm.  Lambeth Council’s Dr Compost gives advice.

For further information on the Friends of Tate South Library –www.tatesouthlambethfriends.org

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