ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY LIBRARY BECOMES FIRST
PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM ON EAST COAST
TO INSTALL TICAL SYSTEM
FOR IT'S DEAF PATRONS

At a public ceremony on May 13, 1999 in Annapolis, Maryland, a historic phone call changed the way Anne Arundel County library patrons who are deaf, hearing impaired and/or speech impaired contact their local library for information.  Janet Owens, County Executive for Anne Arundel County, was there to answer the first official call on the new TICAL (TTY Information and Communication Access for Libraries) system.

The new state-of-the-art TICAL (pronounced "tickle") system connects TTY callers and also callers who have access to computers equipped with standard modems and basic communications software with the Library System. TICAL provides direct person to person telephone communications between all branches in the Anne Arundel County Library system and the estimated 2,000 residents in the County who are deaf or have a hearing and/or speech impairment.  It does everything a standard telephone system does, and more.  For example, it can transfer callers to different branches, process conference calls, take "voice" mail and e-mail messages, and even outdial to pagers and fax machines.The system can also provide TTY information-on-demand, such as information about library branch hours, or announcements about upcoming library events.

Each of the 15 branches of the County Library system have a conventional computer which has also been designated as a TICAL station.  A patron dials a single promoted TTY number via TTY or modem that goes to a server at the Library Headquarters which in turn routes the call.  When the call comes into a branch the TICAL station computer simultaneously flashes and rings to alert the library staff.   A librarian acknowledges the call by just clicking on the flashing icon on the computer screen and then begins a conversation online with the caller.

The TICAL system is designed by TeleSonic to operate on the "NTS Communication System" by NXi Communications.  TeleSonic provides system sales, application design, set-up, training programs, and on-going support for the TICAL system.

For more details, contact TeleSonic at 1-800-888-5980 (voice/TTY).