Make a Noise in Libraries (MANIL) Fortnight is an annual campaign to bring public libraries and blind and partially sighted people together to improve access to books and information.
MANIL 2013
Make a Noise in Libraries Fortnight 2013 will run from 3 to 14 June.
Our theme is "Signposting" - working together to make it easier for blind and partially sighted people to get hold of books, newspapers and magazines in accessible formats.
Public libraries have a vital role to play in helping people with sight loss discover what is available in addition to audio and large print library books. This was a key finding of our MANIL 2012 library survey, carried out by blind and partially sighted people last summer:
MANIL events 2013
Libraries across the country are holding a wide range of reading activities and book events during MANIL Fortnight. More details are being added to our events listing all the time. Find out what's happening at a library near you.
Free resources for libraries
Promotional materials
For download:
In English:
In Welsh:
Ideas and support
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Find out what has worked well for other libraries during Make a Noise in Libraries Fortnight including suggestions for our Signposting theme. MANIL event ideas
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Use Reading Sight to help answer customer queries about accessible reading. This free website is packed with information about all aspects of providing an accessible library service for blind and partially sighted people.
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Your Reading Choices is a quick free online tool on the Reading Sight website. It leads to a personal reading plan for someone with sight loss including contact details for organisations offering the most appropriate resources and help.
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Join our Six Steps online forum for sharing knowledge and experience or asking questions about any aspect of providing accessible library services or activities for blind and partially sighted people.
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Visit our reading web pages for information about RNIB's wide range of reading services.
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Borrow books in braille and giant print from RNIB to support your reading groups or for use in a themed display. Email una.regan@rnib.org.uk
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Download author podcasts - audio interviews with well-known authors for use in reading groups and MANIL activities - Andy McNab, Emma Donoghue, Jo Brand and more. We also have a range of themed book lists.
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Free ebook reader sessions, led by Peter Atkin from RNIB's Media and Culture Team, were a great success last year. Why not host one of these enjoyable hands-on taster sessions in your library, an ideal opportunity for you and/or your customers to find out about the accessible features of mainstream ebook readers. Email peter.atkin@rnib.org.uk for details.
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Travelling RNIB Archive - borrow one of our Archive packs, containing photographs, equipment and artefacts relating to the history of braille and touch reading. Email heritageservices@rnib.org.uk or call 0207 391 2052.
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Read for RNIB- find out how your library or reading group can raise funds for RNIB and support MANIL at the same time.
Help with publicity
We will publicise all MANIL events on our website so please let us know what you are doing. Send us the title of your event, the date, time and venue, a brief summary of what will be happening and contact details. Email megan.gilks@rnib.org.uk
What libraries say about MANIL
"MANIL is good for publicity and helps to raise the profile of our library service with a group that can be difficult to reach".
"We use MANIL to promote our large print and spoken word collections to customers, as well as reaching out to new customers."
"MANIL is a useful way of focusing our attentions on our blind and partially sighted borrowers and an opportunity to make other people aware of what we have available."
If you are blind or partially sighted
There are various ways to get involved:
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Take part in our 2013 MANIL survey. Ask your library for advice about reading between 3 and 14 June and report back to us with your experiences. As part of our Signplosting theme, many libraries will be holding reading surgeries, open days and drop-in events so you can visit your library then. Alternatively, just call in or ring up first to make sure someone will be available to help you. Email una.regan@rnib.org.uk or contact Una on 0161 429 1981 to register your interest.
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Go along to one of the many MANIL events being organised by libraries between 3 and 14 June. Activities in previous years have included author events, poetry readings, book displays, reading groups, storytelling, drumming workshops, local history and much more.
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Let us know how your local library is faring in the current climate of financial cuts. Have you lost out due to library closures or reduced services? Is your library using volunteers? Tell us online by filling in our quick Cuts watch form. Or perhaps your library provides a sterling service and you'd like to tell us all about it.
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If you don't use your local library, why not visit or give them a call to find out what they offer? By using and asking for services, you will be demonstrating the need for accessible books and information for blind and partially sighted people - and you might be pleasantly surprised by what's on offer.
Contact us
Make a Noise in Libraries Fortnight is run by RNIB National Library Service.
To find out more, contact Megan Gilks on 0161 429 1980 or email megan.gilks@rnib.org.uk