Winner:
Making the Difference: Opportunities for Adults With Learning Disabilities (Kent Libraries and Archives)
An innovative project that welcomes adults with learning disabilities into libraries and works with them to develop services that meet their needs, and help them to lead more active lives in their communities.
Finalists:
The NEALIS project (North East Accessible Library and Information Services)
Providing improving library, information and reading services to blind and partially sighted people throughout North East England, this is a wide ranging partnership project across a variety of organisations including 12 public library authorities, and is endorsed by the Society of Chief Librarians and Share the Vision Six Steps pledge.
Our Tyneside & The History Club (Newcastle City Libraries)
A pioneering partnership that engages adults with learning difficulties with their local heritage and family histories through practical, skill-developing activities, guided tours and talks in a safe and friendly environment.
Making the Difference: Opportunities for Adults With Learning Disabilities (Kent Libraries and Archives)
Watch a video about the project on Youtube
Can't access Youtube? Download the video from the CILIP website (WMV 20MB)
“I have never felt so alive in my entire life.”
Making the Difference arose out of Kent Libraries and Archives’s desire to make sure that its services for adults with learning disabilities were helping to integrate them in everyday life. The project sought to better understand the needs of adults with learning disabilities, their carers and support workers, and provide new opportunities, experiences and skills to encourage independence and fun. 721 adults with learning disabilities have taken part in library activities since April 2010. These have included creating an information library, staffed by adults with learning disabilities employed as paid librarians; placing Easy Access collections of books and DVDs chosen by adults with learning disabilities in 12 town centre libraries; providing volunteering and work experience opportunities, and holding regular Biblio Hour and Coffee and Chat sessions. A highlight of the project was a “Putting On the Ritz” 1920s fashion evening.
The NEALIS Project (North East Accessible Library and Information Services)
Watch a video about the project on Youtube
Can't access Youtube?
Download the video from the CILIP website (WMV 20MB)
“I stopped using the library because I couldn’t see the titles; [this scheme] changes how I feel about coming back into the library. It’s an excellent idea.”
The NEALIS Project has been working since November 2007 to improve library, information and reading services to blind and partially sighted people across North East England. The partnership is wide ranging and includes 12 public library authorities, 6 voluntary sector organisations, Society of Chief Librarians, CILIP, MLA and Share the Vision, as well as new partners outside the library community. Its focus has been on developing low cost, practical ways to improve library information and reading services to blind and partially sighted people. Leaflets with details of the services on offer have been widely distributed; training days for staff have been held, and a VIP area with a specially adapted PC and screen has been created at Newcastle City Library. And young people on a local Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme have been paired with visually impaired people to act as reading buddies.
Our Tyneside & The History Club (Newcastle City Libraries)
Watch a video about the project on Youtube
Can't access Youtube?
Download the video from the CILIP website (WMV 20MB)
“The History Club has been very interesting. It has allowed me to meet new people and visit different places. Finding out about local history I’ve learnt things I never realised.”
Our Tyneside started in November 2009, in partnership with Better Days, a charity working with adults with learning difficulties; the Sage in Gateshead; and Newcastle Libraries. Lasting 12 weeks it aimed to educate and engage participants with their local heritage in a safe and friendly environment. Taking part in a variety of activities (research, photography, creative writing, music and crafts) as well as guided tours and talks, the group grew in confidence, self esteem and enjoyed the sessions. It was then clear that there was a huge amount of interest in local and family history and a need for this weekly activity to continue. Newcastle Libraries launched The History Club in April 2010, open to any adult with learning difficulties. Topics have included “The Great Fire of Newcastle”, “Newcastle United” and “The Ghosts of Newcastle”, and The History Club has become a vital part of participants’ and staff’s lives, with 100% of participants reporting that they find it fun