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“Human beings can lose their lives in libraries. They ought to be warned.” Saul Bellow
6th August 2008
 Sshhhall we finally sshhhatter the illusion of libraries as sshhhabby institutions of sshhhh silence!
Sshhhall we give those who don’t know us a sshhhort, sshhharp sshhhock by stunning them with all we have to sshhhare, sshhhow them what sshhhining, sshhhimmering sshhhelters of knowledge, fun and inspiration we are. Sshhhamelessly flaunt our sshhheer brilliance?
Yes we shall, by sshhhouting about them!
Libraries are not just about the silent written word which the recent Make a Noise in Libraries (MANIL) campaign is keen to emphasise. Now in its seventh year this annual campaign aims to bring public libraries and blind and partially sighted people together to improve access to books and information,
they are encouraged to visit their local library to find out what is available. By speaking up about their needs, they can help to make libraries more aware of the demand for accessible library services.
For people who aren’t able to simply “read a book” libraries can offer other options, such as spoken word or Braille, I.T. support as well as bringing literature to life in the form of visiting authors, storytellers or poets. If you agree that everyone should have the right to read then click here.
Rotherham Libraries visually impaired readers group (The VIPs) regularly “make a noise” in the Library with our discussion of books and reading. A lively bunch that have been meeting for 4yrs we always find plenty to talk about. One thing that comes up often is the different experience of reading by listening as opposed to reading the written word. So many factors come into play such as the inability to flick through blurbs to get a feel for books before reading, the quality of the reader, the timelag between printed publishing and spoken word availablility, the benefits/hindrance of abridged versus unabridged, the embarrassment of family overhearing any inappropriate bits, falling asleep before the end, etc etc. But whatever the difficulties may be, it is apparent that people need stories, they need to listen to them, read them, write about them, talk about them, shout about them! Which is why Libraries are so vital especially in this National Year of Reading, so it’s important that we use them, sshhhout about them and celebrate everything we have to offer.
If you have a visual impairment and would like to join the VIP readers group or the Big & Bold group (for readers of large print) please contact Rachel on (01709) 815123
Rachel W.
p.s. if you know someone who is not (shock horror!) a member of the Library by getting them to join you could win yourself some FREE DVD LOANS, just ask at your local Library about Recommend a Friend.
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