Odds and ends

Originally published in the Ketchikan Daily News, September 2017; written by Lisa Pearson.

Over Labor Day weekend, the Ketchikan Public Library checked out eleven SPOT emergency locator beacons to hikers, hunters, and boaters who were taking advantage of gorgeous weather and an important public service made possible by the Ketchikan Volunteer Rescue Squad (KVRS). There has been a lot of publicity during the past couple of years about the importance of these SPOT beacons, which are also available at the Ketchikan Visitor’s Bureau and the State Troopers’ Post. These emergency beacons are not something you typically find in a library, and we have had a lot of positive feedback about the fact that these are made freely available to the community through our partnership with the KVRS.

Along those lines, there are many other devices and materials here at the public library that fall outside the standard collection of print and media. One of the things we have available for checkout is a hand-held electronic magnifier called a MonoMouse. This great device is the size of a computer mouse and plugs into the standard jack on a television. As the MonoMouse is moved across a page, the words appear on the television screen at a 13x magnification. This tool is a great way for people with low vision to read books, newspapers, and magazines, as well as bills and correspondence. The MonoMouse checks out for 3 weeks, and is lightweight and easy to use. We have a device and screen set up in our Large Print section, if you would like to test it out.

Another useful device we have available for checkout is the Kill-A-Watt electricity usage monitor. Ketchikan Public Utilities donated these monitors to the library so that residents could determine how much electricity was being consumed by the various appliances in the home and shop. Many electrical devices, such as phone chargers and computers, draw electricity even when they are not actively being used. By having a better idea of where your household electricity is being directed, it’s easier to conserve energy (and dollars!) by unplugging electrical gadgets when they’re not in use. These Kill-A-Watt monitors check out for 3 weeks, and come with instructions for use and energy calculation.

The library has a variety of projectors available for checkout: digital, slides, overhead, and Super 8. We also have a portable screen and small public address system. This equipment is perfect for displaying photos and presentations at parties, memorials, meetings, and weddings. If you’ve been cleaning out the attic and have unearthed a box of vacation slides from the 1970’s, this is your opportunity to relive fun times with family. If you’re scheduled to give a presentation at work or school, this is a perfect way to practice your speech. Library equipment checks out for 48-hours, and requires a cash or check deposit. You can call the library at 225-3331 for more information and to reserve the equipment.

If you’re planning to go exploring around the woods and waterways of Southeast Alaska, you can get an overview of your trip by looking through the topographic maps and nautical charts we have in the collection. We have 36 nautical charts and dozens of topographic maps available for research (sorry, they can’t be checked out), and the charts cover coves, channels, and bays from Dixon Entrance to Glacier Bay. Our topographic maps range from Prince Rupert to Sitka, and they include details such as logging roads, mine sites, and Forest Service cabins. Sure, these charts and maps can be found online, but there is a certain satisfaction to spreading them out across a table and looking them over. And when you do head out on your wilderness trip, don’t forget to take a SPOT beacon with you!