Tactile Graphics at LAMP

Beginning with LAMP Pittsburgh’s first Tactile Game Day on July 13, 2015, the use of tactile experiences to enhance library services and programs has evolved and expanded.

The first Tactile Game Day used special versions of Scrabble, Chess, and Checkers that allowed one to identify the pieces and board by touch. On February 1, 2016, LAMP hosted the Accessible Movie Afternoon for the movie “Wild,” for which a tent and hiking packs were made accessible for participants to manually examine and experience.

On November 3, 2017, LAMP Pittsburgh hosted the opening of the first annual Somatosensory: Relating to the Senses tactile art exhibition in cooperation with the Pittsburgh Society of Sculptors. At Somatosensory: Relating to the Senses, attendees can feel the sculptures with their hands and listen to a recorded statement from the artists, offering a greater understanding of each artwork.

LAMP Pittsburgh’s monthly Book Club shares tactile swell form representations of the book cover graphics. On January 24, 2023, LAMP Pittsburgh hosted the first monthly Tactile Tuesday, a program dedicated to discussion and exploration of patron’s interests in tactile graphics, 3D-printed objects, and the technology that creates them.

Out of this goal to enhance service and programs with patron-driven interests of tactile graphics and 3D prints was born the opportunity to fulfill patron special requests for tactile items. Since the inception of LAMP’s use of these mediums, a wealth of ideas and requests have sprung up from patrons.

Starting from her own simple personal interest, a patron requested a tactile print of a greeting card she had received. And although she had someone describe the graphic on the front, it was more fulfilling to physically explore the image of a tandem bicycle on her own. Another request came from a patron who owned a fashionable purse. After all the talk and admiration from her friends, she was interested in experiencing the Coach-brand logos by touch.

A couple of patrons expressed an interest in walking local streets of Pittsburgh neighborhoods and asked if tactile maps could be made available. A patron with a blind friend, who acted in a theatrical production of “Machinal,” asked if we could reproduce the playbill cover with tactile graphics. Another patron expressed interest in the structure of the spine after experiencing some back issues.

While not every request can be fulfilled, it is certainly worth taking into consideration and has often been a source of new growth and knowledge for patrons and staff.

Patrons are invited to LAMP Pittsburgh’s Tactile Tuesdays, held the fourth Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. at the library, 4724 Baum Boulevard, Pittsburgh, PA 15213.