For what it's worth:

__________________________________

The University of South Dakota's I.D. Weeks Library was recently awarded
a Library Technology Access (LTA) initiative grant.  LTA is a strategic
initiative developed from a relationship between Hewlett-Packard (HP)
and the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (a
division of ALA) to provide public and academic libraries a solution in
offering accessible computer workstations to patrons with disabilities.
I.D. Weeks is one of two academic libraries in the United States to
receive the LTA initiative grant.

LTA offered six award packages-four to public libraries and two to
academic libraries-as a pilot project for this grant initiative. Besides
the University of South Dakota, grant initiatives were also awarded to
Cleveland Public Library, Milwaukee Public Library, Johnson County
Public Library (Kansas), San Diego Public Library, and Arizona State
University. Explaining the impact of the first round of LTA grant
initiatives Jim Weynard, vice president and general manager for HP
Public Sector Organization said, "The Library Technology Access program
demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships that increase the
access to technology for persons with disabilities."

The LTA initiative grant award includes ergonomic furniture, a Compaq
Evo PC, an HP Scanjet scanner and HP LaserJet printer, Microsoft(r)
Office software and a wide array of assistive technology products which
will aid us in "leveling the playing field" of library use and research
for patrons with disabilities.  These workstations are designed to
address specific needs by our patrons with visual, hearing, mobility, or
learning disabilities.

The LTA computer workstations will be available in the library on the
first floor reference area in the near future.  If you have questions or
need more information, please feel free to contact me.

--Chris

Chris Bloss
Assistant Professor and
Instructional Services Librarian
414 E. Clark
I.D. Weeks Library
University of South Dakota
Vermillion, SD 57069
Office:  (605) 677-6615
Fax:  (605) 677-5488
Email:  [log in to unmask]