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Libraries Change Lives
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Libraries Change Lives Finalists 2003
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eye2eye: the visually impaired IT project, Portsmouth City Libraries – winner
Recognizing the need for basic computer skills tuition tailored to the needs of visually impaired people in the area, Portsmouth libraries set up an innovative project. An IT training suite with adapted software, was set up at the central library with free and supportive IT classes for visually impaired people three afternoons a week for a maximum of six learners. These sessions are run by blind members of staff with skills in IT who are proactive members of the local visually impaired community.
The project has been a huge success providing support and reaching out to visually impaired and partially sighted people in the Portsmouth area. It is run on a informal basis, enabling many friendships to be formed. Many of the people who have taken part already in the scheme are older people, some of who had never been able to use a computer with confidence before. Relationships have developed within the group providing a support network because the scheme is not only about acquiring IT skills but also about building self-confidence and self-empowerment.
The two blind members of staff, Julie Duffy and Irene Knowles are central to the service provided by the Portsmouth library. They are both trained in operating a Kurzweil machine and Braille transcriber, but moreover they understand the needs of the people that use their service. They are often asked for advice by users about how to remain in contact with younger family members who are increasingly communicating via new technology. Many of the older people not only have no family living in Portsmouth but none in the UK. Some of these people live on their own, and find it hard keep in touch with friends and family. This project brings them back into the community and really helps with their day-to-day lives.
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Caring about reading, Leicestershire County Library Services - finalist
Caring About Reading is a project funded by Corporate Parenting and led by Leicestershire County Council Libraries Department. It aims to improve literacy levels of children in care and further their performance and social development. The project focused on looked after children in the Oadby, Wigston and Blaby areas of Leicestershire.
75% of children and young people separated from their families, and looked after in public care, leave school with no qualifications, compared with only 6% of children in the general population. Development of good literacy skills and the ability to enjoy reading are essential to academic achievement.
Through a programme of carefully developed sessions, open evenings and events, over 100 looked-after children in the Leicestershire area have been encouraged to regularly use and visit the library and participate in various craft and book activities, including a new readers circle, storytelling sessions and art and craft activities in the library. The project development worker Karen Green is one of the main reasons for the success of the project. She visits every foster family and care home in the area. Her enthusiasm and ability to relate to the children on their level and understand what will interest the children, has made these sessions, fun and involving. The project has the ability to be flexible, using all the facilities available in the library from library music sessions to lending story tapes for the often long taxi journeys to and from home to school. One of the project’s success stories is a shy 17 year-old who is dyslexic and could not read or write. In just a few months he now enjoys reading and loves the Harry Potter books.
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Out of school learning homework helpers club, Renfrewshire Libraries - finalist
Out of School Learning is Renfrewshire’s contribution to an exciting and groundbreaking national initiative designed to enhance the provision of out of school learning. The initiative, now well underway, continues to gather momentum. Through a progamme of science, local history, arts, literature and sports, presented in an imaginative and fun way, children are extending their education out of school.
As part of the groundbreaking OSL project, Renfrewshire Libraries are running Homework Helpers Clubs, providing children with the opportunities to build their self confidence, open their imaginations and reach higher standards.
Nine community libraries are working with 30 schools in the area to reach children from both Primary and Secondary schools who will benefit from supported study, assistance in homework, creative learning activities, coursework, and exam revision according to specific needs. Homework Helpers Clubs are designed to help tackle inequality and disadvantage whilst encouraging communication and teamwork skills.
The project is free and voluntary and has proved extremely popular, with sessions including Creative Venture workshops hosted by authors and poets, encouraging reading, creative writing and design. The Homework Clubs also add to the delivery of other aspects of OSL for example, on the OSL 180 children have taken part in poetry workshops alongside their sports activities. One young person commented that the poetry workshops were welcome (chillout time). Children visiting Coats Observatory for a ‘Starquest’ night have followed up with workshops led by the poet Valerie Thornton in the library to work on writing inspired by their evening.
The project has had some significant results, with 72% of the children taking part showing improved performance at school. In 53% of children, their behaviour had improved, and 72% had shown improved interaction and 75% improved confidence
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Updated: 12 August 2004