The San Juan Island Library and San Juan County Senior Services are teaming up to offer a workshop on living with the challenges of low vision and failing eyesight. The workshop will take place on Friday, Sept. 23 at 2 p.m. at the San Juan Island Library meeting room.

Karen Mehlhorn from Sight Connection in Seattle will give the presentation. She will demonstrate the use of various low vision assistive devices, present information about various training and support resources available to people affected by low vision, and she will address mobility issues, technological aids and state and federal sources of help. The meeting will last for about an hour, and is open to all people experiencing vision problems and friends or families of people with vision problems.

“Assistive devices can’t solve problems with vision loss, but there are many resources that can make living life with low vision a little easier. The library can help, not just with books, but with information needs such as how to buy equipment or connect with services. Increasing awareness about the various kinds of available support can really help,” said Library Outreach Coordinator Beth Helstien.

While low vision isn’t just a problem for seniors, vision loss can definitely be associated with aging. San Juan Island Senior Services wants to help, and can help connect people with vision loss to the right services to address some of the frustration connected with vision loss.

In addition to its collections of materials to loan, the library also provides public access computers and WiFi. Library hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.