I have used various methods over the years for this. A sturdy clipboard works well; just slide the pages or an open book under the clip, just far enough to hold it. For thicker books, you can use an old-fashioned coat hanger. Cut it so that you can get rid of the hook; squeeze the bend together to make a tighter angle, and use a strong rubber band to pull the other end together to make it as tight as you need for a given volume. Just place this across the top of the page to hold the book open. You can put anything fairly heavy on the page you are not reading to hold the book open; the Optacon itself works well for the left-hand page. Sincerely, Vicky Prahin Phone: 800-323-4238 Web Site: www.hadley.edu to view the list archives, go to: www.freelists.org/archives/optacon-l To unsubscribe at any time, just send a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "unsubscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject. Tell your friends about the list. They can subscribe by sending a message to: optacon-l-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word "subscribe" (without the quotes) in the message subject.