BISBEE — Patrons of the Copper Queen Library will have an easier time reading fine print materials following a donation of low-vision assistance equipment from Premier Alliances, Inc.

Whether it be their favorite mystery novel or historical epic plucked from the Library’s shelves, their own personal documents, or prescription bottle labels, any small font item is made easy to read with the two new pieces of equipment, which include the desktop Merlin Elite Pro OCR, and the Explore 5 handheld electronic magnifier.

Premier Alliances and Library staff met in late 2018 to discuss the Library’s need for such equipment, and a short time later a demonstration of several items was held at the Library by Tucson-based Desert Low Vision Services. Library staff, including Library Manager Jason Macoviak, were present for the demo and later selected the equipment that they believed their patrons would find most useful.

Earlier this month, the equipment was purchased by Premier Alliances at a cost of over $4,000. The equipment was then donated to the Library via the nonprofit Friends of the Copper Queen Library.

“The Library is very appreciative of the support and consideration offered through this partnership with Premier Alliances.  We are very excited to offer this new service to our patrons who can now easily browse titles on the shelf using the handheld digital magnifier, or have their hard-to-read documents magnified and read to them using the desktop device,” Macoviak said.

The Merlin Elite Pro desktop device projects the letters on any object onto a large computer screen, can also read the text aloud, and even change the contrast of the page to accommodate different vision challenges. The handheld Explore 5 device acts like a digital magnifying glass, allowing patrons to browse the Library’s extensive collection with ease.

“The Premier Alliances Board of Directors and staff are pleased that this donation of low-vision assisting devices will increase accessibility to the Copper Queen Library’s vast collection. Introducing this simple, but effective technology will be a great tool for those patrons that are visually challenged,” said John Charley, CEO of Premier Alliances.

Premier Alliances, Inc., based in Bisbee, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with disabilities. Apart from providing employment opportunities to people with additional needs through our groundskeeping, janitorial, and custom apparel projects, Premier Alliances collaborates with community partners to accomplish goals that further our mission. To learn more, visit premieralliances.org.