Hi there

I’m looking for some ideas about how to set up a reading group for blind people. Does anyone have any good tips?

Great idea.  I always think it’s best to plunge in and get started.  If people are keen they will enjoy the fact that you’ve made the opportunity for them to get together to talk about books.  Then they can discuss the kinds of things they like to read and the format they prefer.  Getting hold of the same title in different formats is not easy but the Catalogue area on this site will help.  Good luck and let us know how you get on.

A librarian called Christine Craig has ran a successful reading group for blind readers in Edinburgh for many years. She can be contacted by email: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Jim

Hi for those of you interested in setting up a reading group for visually impaired people you may like to visit http://www.Calibre.org.uk website under Calibre’s services you will see that Calibre can provide groups with multiple copies of audio books for reading groups.

CDs for VIPs
•  Audiobooks are increasingly available in CD format only.
•  Edinburgh City Libraries has for many years lent out cassette players to enable users to access the excellent stock of audiobooks on cassette
•  I started the reading group CDs for VIPs as a result of a successful grant application to A City for All Ages (ACFAA), City of Edinburgh Council’s (CEC) initiative for over 50s
•  I used the grant to purchase a range of CD and MP3 disc players for loan to provide visually impaired library users (VIPs) with an alternative to cassette players
•  I gave the members of the group a voice by involving them in the selection of suitable CD players
•  At present the CDs for VIPs reading group for visually impaired people borrow multiple copies of MP3 discs from the Calibre charity, which is a more cost effective method than previously when multiple copies of audio CDs were purchased
•  Opinions vary, which makes for good discussion - at no meeting has everyone said a book was good or a book was awful!
•  The reading group is much more than a ‘talking shop’; it has provided a regular opportunity to consult and inform users and non users and bring back suggestions to improve the service.
•  Members have spoken of an increase in confidence and the opportunity to discuss issues around visual impairment
New development
•  Calibre have alerted me to their new development of audio books on memory stick, which at present are available to individuals only
•  They also alerted me to a Boombox which is a low cost, easy to use method of playing audio books on memory stick which are a development being explored by Edinburgh City Libraries
•  I have requested a sample of this machine plus a pre loaded memory stick which I am presently trialling with members of CDs for VIPs
Further details
For further details of Edinburgh City Libraries services visit http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/libraries

Christine Craig
Access Services
Edinburgh City Libraries
343 Oxgangs Road North
Edinburgh
EH13 9LY
0131 529 5683
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)