The New Hampshire State Library is expanding its reach out efforts to those members of the community who have difficulty reading books.

The library has recently acquired a Kurzweil "Reading Edge" machine, and with initial assistance from a library staff member, patrons who can't see well, hold books, or turn pages will be able to read again.

The machine works in the following way: A printed page is placed on a glass plate, then the typeface and page arrangement are calculated and an electronic voice reads the page aloud. Headphones assure the privacy of the reader.

The machine was purchased with funds donated by disabled persons who have used special format recorded books loaned by the State Library's Services to Persons with Disabilities Section.