Private funding made the additions possible
The Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library and Fruitville Library have become the fifth and sixth Sarasota County libraries to receive a Hearing Loop, “which is an assistive listening system that transmits sounds directly into hearing aids or implants, resulting in an enhanced experience for audience members,” Sarasota County has announced.
The Hearing Loop for Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library was provided by the Endowment Fund for the Frances T. Bourne Jacaranda Library at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, a news release says. The system was installed inside the library meeting room, which served nearly 12,000 patrons in 2017, the release points out.
“The Hearing Loop for Fruitville Library was provided by the generous contribution of a private donor, with a match from the Sarasota County Libraries Endowment Fund at the Community Foundation of Sarasota County,” the release adds. That system was installed in the library meeting room, which served nearly 14,000 patrons in 2017, the release notes.
“It’s important we meet the needs of all of our library patrons,” said Sarabeth Kalajian, director of Sarasota County Libraries and Historical Resources Department, in the release. “These assistive devices make it possible for every audience member to enjoy the diverse programs offered at their library, and we invite citizens to take advantage of this service enhancement,” she added in the release.
The Selby Library, North Sarasota Library, Gulf Gate Library and Shannon Staub Library meeting rooms also are equipped with Hearing Loops, the release points out. “To use this service at one of these library locations, visit any of the service desks and speak with a staff member,” the release says.
For more information, call the county Contact Center at 861-5000 or visit www.scgov.net.