Clearly a great idea for good view | Gladstone News | Local News in Gladstone

Boyne Island resident Viv Arnold and Councillor Maxine Brushe demonstrate the new magnification system.

READING, writing and other activities have become a lot easier for vision-impaired residents after Gladstone Regional Council’s purchase of a desktop video magnification system.

The ClearView+ system magnifies anything placed under it up to 50 times its original size, while maintaining perfect focus.

Library Services Manager Peter Cramb said this enabled users to not only read and write more easily, but also to view photos, do arts and crafts and anything else which required clear vision.

Mr Cramb expected the $4500 system would be a popular addition to the library’s services.

“This model is ideal for the public library because it is so easy to use,” Mr Cramb said.

“It’s an important service in keeping with our aim to provide necessary facilities for all sections of the community.”

Mr Cramb said the library had first investigated the purchase of the ClearView+ system after being approached by Boyne Island resident Viv Arnold.

She had seen a similar machine in a Hervey Bay library.

Mrs Arnold said she had realised immediately the benefit such a machine could bring to Gladstone region residents and was delighted Gladstone Regional Library had heeded her request.

“I’m just happy to have the machine here in Gladstone and I hope it’s a help to a lot of people,” Mrs Arnold said.

Gladstone Regional Council Community Services portfolio spokesperson Councillor Maxine Brushe said a growing number of people would benefit from the new service in the library.

“Viv raised the issue with me and made me aware that a growing number of people have this difficulty with reading and other activities,” Cr Brushe said.

“It was an issue we needed to address and fortunately Peter and the Gladstone Regional Library staff have made it happen.”