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Portsmouth Gears Up To 'Make A Noise In Libraries'
| Published: 30th May 2013 13:01 |
Portsmouth library gets ready to take part in the annual 'Make a Noise in Libraries' fortnight, Monday 3 until Friday 14 June, organised by RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People).
During the fortnight, Portsmouth Central library will be showcasing some of their high tech resources that help visually impaired residents make the most of everything they have to offer. This will include a display of the reading resources available, and brand new large print children's books with 75point print and Braille.
Julie Duffy, visual impairment officer at the council, said: "We're taking part in Make a Noise in Libraries fortnight to let people with a visual impairment know about all the great services the library can offer them. Traditionally, if you couldn't read printed books libraries couldn't offer you much else, and we want residents to know this is no longer the case.
"I hope lots of people will pop in throughout the fortnight and find out more."
There will be a demonstration of the library's new open source software, which will show the magnification and speech functions and use of coloured sheets for people with dyslexia. This will be held on Wednesday 5 and Wednesday 12 June at Central library, from 2pm until 3.30pm.
There will also be a demonstration by 'Humanware' of equipment for visually impaired people on 14 June, from 10am until 1pm, on third floor of Central library.
Michael Richards is a regular at the Central library's Wednesday afternoon computer class, which helps people with a visual impairment use the internet.
He said: "I come here every week and use the computers to browse the internet. It's good because they have the Zoom Text software, which magnifies the page and makes it much easier for me to read. I like the class atmosphere because it's more private and lets me browse in my own time, without feeling under pressure.
"The first time I came was about four years ago, I'd just bought a computer and had never used the internet before. The staff were so helpful and the people so nice that I've been coming ever since!"
For more information on any of the events, email Julie.duffy@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call 023 9282 9923.
What services does the library offer?
From talking newspapers and audio books to magnifiers and 'pen friends' that can read out the blurb on the back of a book, there are plenty of services available all year round, to help people who are visually and hearing impaired.
Here's just a flavour of the resources and services the city has to offer (please note all services are available at Central library unless stated otherwise):
- Braille lessons (for anyone who wants to learn) and a Braille translation service for small leaflets, documents and letters
- Computer classes with assistive software (magnification or speech) held on Wednesday afternoons, 2pm until 3.30pm
- Internet drop-in and support group session held on Thursday mornings at Southsea library, 10am - 12pm
- Reading groups using mp3, the group listen to the book and meet once a month on a Thursday to discuss their thoughts
- A newsletter for people for people with a visual impairment, or those interested in it, outlining new products and services
- A selection of young children's books in Braille and large print
- An advice line for visually and hearing impaired people - 023 9282 9923
- Advice about equipment for visually impaired people
- A selection of audio books available from all libraries
- A subscription to the talking newspaper association, audio versions of magazines and newspapers can be downloaded by staff onto memory sticks
- Advice on technology for mp3 players and mobile phones for visually and hearing impaired people
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