Event in Stockport on 15 June 2010
The Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) National Library Service for blind and partially sighted people holds it's first ever Open Day at it's site in Stockport on 15 June.
With a shocking 95 per cent of newly published books not being produced in large print, giant print, braille or audio - RNIB's National Library Service that holds over 45,500 titles in braille, giant print and DAISY audio, is a life line to reading for thousands of blind and partially sighted people from across the country.
Chris Simms
Manchester based popular crime author Chris Simms, is delighted to help launch RNIB's new free (to borrow) giant print collection of books for blind and partially sighted adults.
Chris said: "I take it for granted that I can pick up a book and read it whenever I like - and find it hard to imagine what life would be like if I couldn't. To learn that around 95 per cent of books published in the UK are not produced in accessible formats is truly shocking."
Chris Simms' added: "These new giant print books from RNIB are fantastic, especially for the many older people who would love to carry on reading print if only they could get hold of books with large enough type."
Giant print, braille and DAISY audio
The Library which operates a postal delivery service supplying Giant Print, braille and DAISY audio books, has specially invited over 1,000 blind and partially sighted people to it's first ever Open Day from Greater Manchester and surrounding areas to meet staff and to find out more about how the Library works, what's new and what it can offer.
General public
The Library's doors are also open to members of the general public and to professionals who provide support and services to blind and partially sighted people.
RNIB's Open Day also showcases a fascinating display of items from the RNIB archive, including historical braille equipment, heritage braille books plus magazines and other embossed literature.
Library tours
Tours of the Library take place every half hour with plenty of opportunity to browse the shelves. Guests can visit a drop-in reading surgery to hear about books and authors and to suggest titles that they would like RNIB's Library service to stock.
Helen Brazier, Head of RNIB National Library Service says: "As a postal library service, we don't often get the opportunity to meet our readers so the Open Day is a wonderful opportunity for blind and partially sighted people to visit the library, meet our staff and browse the shelves at their leisure. We also extend a warm welcome to rehabilitation workers and other professionals who support people with sight loss and members of the public who are just curious to know more about braille and giant print books."
Mobile sight loss information service
As part of the day RNIB National Library Service also welcomes Action for Blind People's Mobile Sight Loss Information Service. Staffed by a friendly and knowledgeable team, Action invites visitors to come on board and learn about a wide range of technology and equipment from vibrating bank note detectors to talking microwaves and tin lids. Staff on the unit offer impartial, practical advice and support.
Visitors can also learn about the Library's on line catalogue. And for people who are newly-diagnosed with sight loss, there will be an opportunity to try a new website tool, 'Your Reading Choices', a new resource to help people with sight loss to continue or renew their enjoyment of reading.
For people who simply like to pick up a bargain and support RNIB, they can visit a one-day audio book and braille book sale.
The specially invited 1,000-plus blind and partially sighted visitors hail from 10 Greater Manchester authorities plus Cheshire, Lancashire, Merseyside, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Yorkshire and North Wales.
RNIB's Open Day is being held at the National Library Service, Far Cromwell Road, Bredbury, Stockport on Tuesday 15 June from 10.30am to 3pm.
To contact RNIB National Library Service call 0161 355 2079 or email una.regan@rnib.org.uk
ENDS.
For more media information contact Bill Alker, RNIB Press Office 020 7391 2223 or out of hours 079 6848 2812. Ref 45BA.
Notes to Editors.
1. RNIB National Library Service is the largest specialist library for readers with sight loss in the UK, offering accessible books and information for children and adults in Braille, giant print and unabridged audio (DAISY Talking Books). In November 2010, the Library's Talking Book Service will celebrate 75 years of bringing reading to blind and partially sighted people. Visit www.rnib.org.uk/library for more information.
2. RNIB's new Giant Print books are free to borrow with no charge for postage in the UK.
3. In April 2009 Action for Blind People became part of RNIB Group, in an innovative partnership combining regional service delivery across England. This partnership enables both organisations to share skills and deliver services in line with the UK Vision Strategy. For more information on Action for Blind People's mobile units, please visit www.actionforblindpeople.org.uk/help-advice/support-in-your-community/mobile-information-service
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