SDEF - News Item - Make a Noise in Libraries

Libraries across Great Britain are asking blind and partially sighted people to come forward and 'Make A Noise In Libraries' (7-20 July 2008).

Over 200 libraries are supporting this annual campaign, now in its seventh year, which is run by the Royal National Institute of Blind People’s (RNIB) National Library Service. The campaign aims to bring together public libraries and blind and partially sighted people, to improve access to books and information, and to promote good programmes already in place. It also hopes to encourage blind and partially sighted people to go into their local libraries and find out about the services they have on offer.

Many libraries are already developing inclusive services such as reading groups, access to the internet and accessible catalogues. RNIB provides support and encouragement for those libraries that wish to do more. �Activities taking place during Make a Noise in Libraries Fortnight include discussion groups with guest speakers, inclusive reading groups, computer taster sessions for blind and partially sighted people and demonstrations of audio books and audio described DVDs. Many libraries are also taking their inspiration from July's theme for National Year of Reading which is rhythm and rhyme - events include performance poetry, music and children's rhyme-time sessions.

Pat Beech, MBE, Manager of RNIB National Library Service, says: “Blind and partially sighted people should have access to the same library services as sighted people. We are strongly encouraging blind and partially sighted people to visit their local libraries to find out what is available to them. It's an ideal opportunity to make local libraries across the country more aware of the demand for accessible services.”

RNIB National Library Service was created when RNIB and the National Library for the Blind merged in January 2007. It now includes the Talking Book Service and the largest braille library in the UK. It will continue to work closely with libraries to develop inclusive services.

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17/07/08 - Make a Noise in Libraries