East Midlands Public Libraries Regional Reading Group Project

The aim of this three-year trial project is to test the suggested national offer for reading group provision and the framework for progression as outlined in The Reading Agency's (TRA) report, A National Public Library Development Programme for Reading Groups. 

The pilot is being run in the East Midlands and delivered by the nine local authority public library services via the East Midlands Reader and Library Development group (EMRALD) with support from Museums, Libraries and Archives (MLA) East Midlands and TRA.  The project was launched at the end of April 2005 at Chesterfield Library and a part-time project co-ordinator began work in early July.  

In May 2007 all nine public library authorities signed up to the Quality Framework for Progression for a second year, setting new targets for the final year of the project.

• Interim evaluation report (available to download below) completed June 2007 measuring impact and growth in 2006–07 and published in full during September 2007
  East Midlands Regional Reading Group Project: Interim Evaluation Report (872 kb)

Final phase of project (Sept 2007– June 2008)

Recent/current activity includes:

• Revision of framework for progression, evaluation and downloadable Reading Pack prior to final evaluation and proposed national roll out
• Volunteer supported reading group pilots underway in two authorities, and two more planned. These include work with visually impaired readers, residents in care homes and sheltered housing, and plans for “book buddies” in libraries
• Writers2Readers reading promotion featuring nine regional authors, will run across the region in all library authorities from February 2008  Publicity includes comments from readers and writers who took part in the Writers2Readers project and will encourage readers to read books by  locally recommended writers. The promotional flyer and poster can be downloaded below:
  Writers2readers promotional flyer (1088 kb)
  Writers2readers promotional poster (558 kb)
• Storytelling programme running in five authorities offering creative narrative opportunities to a range of socially excluded groups including isolated elderly people, refugees/asylum seekers, and young adults with learning disabilities. Programme runs from October 2007 to February 2008, with a final storytelling and evaluation session in March 2008
• Two creative commissions underway: Nottinghamshire writer Anthony Cropper is writing a piece of fiction based on interaction and discussion with reading groups in public libraries, while Rod Duncan is travelling the region speaking to reading groups in every library authority to make a film about why people love stories. To follow Rod’s blog on his Yarn project go to: www.eastmidlandsyarns.blogspot.com
• The resulting book and film will hopefully be published during 2008 as part of the region’s library based celebration of National Year of Reading
• Widening access to reading with new groups for mental health service users, visually impaired readers, and more groups in schools/ Chatterbooks groups
• Partnership working with care homes, Primary Care Trusts, hospitals, Mental Health organisations, WRVS, CVS
• East Midlands libraries working with RNIB Library Services to provide information, staff training and suggested reading group activities for visually impaired readers across the region as part of the minimum offer
• Reading group skill share workshop at the Regional Reader Development  Training Day for Library staff on February 22, where the emphasis will be on community engagement and reading as part of the National Year of Reading
• Links with other regions via visits, conferences and information exchange continue eg workshops at the  Read East Staff Reader Development Conference November 2007
• A presentation on Writers2Readers project was included at the Reading and Community Engagement conference in November 2007.

Priscilla Baily - February 2008 

Previous updates from the project are available for download below:

Regional Reading Group Project - final year update (29 kb)
Regional Reading Group Project - second year March 2007 update (28 kb)
Regional Reading Group Project - second year first phase update (28 kb)
Regional Reading Group Project - third phase update (28 kb)
Regional Reading Group Project - second phase update (30 kb)
Regional Reading Group Project - first phase update (31 kb)

Regional Reading group data and models from libraries in the East Midlands:

Regional Reading Group data (180 kb)
Reading Group models from around the East Midlands (2452 kb)


If you would like to read the Reading Pack, you can now download parts 1 to 11 below:

Reading Pack - Introduction (part 1) (1444 kb)  
Reading Pack - Welcome to the Reading Pack (part 2) (8 kb)
Reading Pack - Getting started (part 3) (25 kb)
Reading Pack - General discussion questions (part 4) (9 kb)
Reading Pack - How to run the group (part 5) (10 kb)
Reading Pack - Web reading guides (part 6) (17 kb)
Reading Pack - Just getting into reading (part 7) (11 kb)
Reading Pack - Reading Group Registration Form (part 8) (14 kb)
Reading Pack - East Midlands Regional Reading Group Network (part 9) (9 kb)
Reading Pack - Logos (part 10) (218 kb)
Reading Pack - Quiz and answers (part 11) (21 kb)
Reading Pack - Evaluation sheet (1448 kb)

For further information please contact Priscilla Baily.

For more information on starting and running your own reading and book club, also visit The Reading Club.