Press Release issued: 2 November 2012.
Have you ever wondered how a braille or audio book is produced? Sight loss charity RNIB Scotland is throwing open the doors of its transcription centre in Partick to show how it's done.
All you have to do is bring along a print copy of your favourite poem, short story or a passage from a book. It can be anything as long as it's short enough to transcribe in the time available.
Staff at the centre will guide you through the transcription process as part of a workshop and let you take a turn in the recording studio, or try your hand at producing braille. And at the end you can take home your very own copy of the work you have produced.
RNIB Scotland is holding the event on two days during Book Week Scotland at the end of this month to highlight the fact that only seven per cent of books published ever make it into formats accessible to blind or partially sighted readers.
Ken Reid, chair of RNIB Scotland, who lost his own sight in his twenties, said: "While most people don't think twice about what books are available to them in stark contrast, the choice for blind and partially sighted readers is very limited. Many of the titles most people take for granted just don't exist for us. That's why RNIB Scotland needs your support to make more books available. We want everyone to share in the enjoyment of reading!"
RNIB sends out 1.5 million talking books across the UK each year and almost 34,000 braille and giant print books. The youngest reader is six years old and the oldest over 100. It takes five days on average to record a RNIB Talking Book and costs £2,500, and £1,500 to produce a book in braille and the charity relies on public support to continue its work.
* RNIB Scotland's transcription centre will be open to the public on Tuesday, November 27 and Friday, November 30. To make your appointment, contact the centre on 0141 337 2955.