Sequoya Gift of Sound

HEARING IS BELIEVING

By Pat Krueger

I have long said that I could live almost any place on this earth, so long as I had access to a good library. Here in Madison, I have access to an excellent library.

I share with all of Madison pride in the beautiful new Sequoya Branch Library. Yet, for a hearing impaired woman, something was lacking in this building.

It’s frustrating to go to a meeting and not be able to hear. I have had experience with a system known as looping, where a room equipped with a loop system is surrounded by an induction wire which enables those who wear telecoil-equipped hearing aids to hear with the assistance  of a
receiver. I have no idea how many people there are like me who can use such a system, but everything tells me there is a growing need for it.
 
Not only was the meeting room of the new branch library looped, but a sound system was put in so all who use this room will benefit. John Schmitt, library computer specialist for the Madison Public Library System went far beyond what I had hoped for.
 
I am truly proud of what has been accomplished. I am also deeply grateful to be able to share some of what I have been given so life will be easier for others in this one small way.

SEQUOYA BRANCH RECEIVES AN ENGAGING GIFT OF SOUND

By Madison Public Library Staff

Through various initiatives during the year, the Madison Public Library Foundation receives financial contributions for the annual fund, endowment campaigns, capital campaigns, planned gifts, and gifts designated for a specific purpose such as for a branch or collection.  Every gift is significant as it assists us in our goal of helping to make the Madison Public Libraries comfortable and welcoming for all.

We recently received a generous designated gift from Pat Krueger, long-time Sequoya Branch supporter, for a PA sound system and hearing loop for Sequoya’s community room. Through Pat’s generosity, the Sequoya Branch Library will now have an engaging sound. We are very excited about the opportunities this gift presents for those with hearing loss in our community to fully enjoy the programs that Sequoya offers throughout the year.

Now patrons with hearing loss can enjoy library-sponsored programs by using the hearing loop at Sequoya in two ways: through their personal hearing aid, or through a loop transistor available at the branch.

When a hearing aid that is equipped with T-coils is appropriately set or when wearing a transistor (the branch has three), the hearing loop provides a magnetic, wireless signal that blocks out background noise and only focuses on the audio sounds processed through the PA system.  The loop system consists of a microphone to pick up the spoken word; an amplifier which processes the signal that is then sent through the final piece; and the loop cable, a wire placed around the perimeter of the room that acts as an antenna by radiating the magnetic signal to the hearing device.

Ask your audiologist or your hearing specialist how your hearing aid can be activated to enjoy this wonderful gift while attending library-sponsored programs at Sequoya.