Jun 24, 2015 By Suzanne Elliott 2 min read

There’s a MonoMouse in the house at the Peters Township Public Library.

Unlike its furry, four-legged counterpart, this mouse is a portable print magnifier that can be checked out for two weeks, just like a book. It works by simply plugging it into a television and scrolling over text.

“You have to keep your hand steady and it comes with an instruction sheet,” said Peter Stamoolis, the library’s automation and reference librarian, who trained his co-workers on how to use the library’s newest product.

The library is hoping its hand-sized magnifier will prove popular with its patrons who have vision problem so they can again enjoy reading.

“We have a lot of people tell us they can read what is on the computer screen,” said Pier Lee, the library’s director. “We have two available for check out and perhaps this will help.”

The MonoMouse, which is similar to an oversized computer mouse, is ergonomically designed to fit in the palm of the user’s hand. It connects to a television through the attached standard RCA plug, and then the television is switched to video and a large blue is simply pressed to start reading a book or magazine, bills, or even food ingredients, Lee said.

“It will also plug into some DVR players,” Lee said.

When the mouse is moved across the page, the text appears large and clear on the screen. It provides 14 to 55 percent more magnification of text on a 20-inch television.

“There are many people who would like to use the library, but believe rightly or wrongly, that because of their sight loss, libraries no longer have anything to offer them,” Lee said.

Each MonoMouse costs $149. If they prove to be popular with library patrons, then Lee said she will buy more.