Richland Library adds technology for hard of hearing people after Sertoma Clubs donation

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Richland Library is hoping to increase accessibility to its resources with the addition of Hearing Loops for hard of hearing customers. Following a donation from the Columbia, Northlake and Wade Hampton chapters of the Sertoma Club, library customers will have access to the audio frequency induction devices beginning in Summer 2022.

Hearing Loops create inclusive spaces for hard of hearing people by directly looping sound to hearing aids (and cochlear implants) with a telecoil or “t-coil”. Hearing Loops create a distortion-free signal reception. Richland Library will offer Hearing Loops in the Library of Things for check-out and personal use for customers and in support of in-person programs such as forums, story times, community conversations and more.

The donation from the Columbia, Northlake, and Wade Hampton Sertoma Clubs, whose mission is “Service to all mankind”, will aid Richland Library in its quest to allow Richland County residents to access freely and to create an equitable library experience for all customers, according to a release sent by the library.

This donation also follows the March 2022 South Carolina Senate Resolution recognizing May as “Better Hearing and Speech Month” in South Carolina, advocated for by the Midlands area Sertoma clubs and introduced by Senator Shane Massey.

Richland Library customers can begin requesting Hearing Loops as an accommodation or checking out a Hearing Loop in the Library of Things in the Summer of 2022.

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