Library equipment for the disabled.

This article addresses an inquiry about library equipment for the disabled. As of June 1991, prototype of a self-propelled book truck is being developed which will be battery powered. The book truck is intended to be the world's smallest bookmobile and will be suitable for bed-to-bed delivery of library materials in nursing homes. Presently, there are several power filing systems available that revolve like a jewelry display. The systems are electrically powered and can accommodate several hundred pounds of weight. It is believed that systems like these could be readily adapted to library use for disabled patrons in wheelchairs. However, the systems are expensive, costing from $15,000 to $30,000 for each unit. An alternative solution might be to assign pages to accompany wheelchair patrons individually and hand them the items they want from the shelves.