East Midlands Regional Reading Group Project - Interim report now available

Books connect 361 public libraries and 688 reading groups

After two years of a three year pilot project in public libraries, an interim report on the development of the East Midlands Regional Reading Group network has been published.  Based on evaluation from all nine local authorities in the East Midlands, the report (which can be downloaded below) includes statistical information on the number and type of reading groups, as well as significant impact outcomes in terms of service delivery, resource development, increased participation and opportunities for readers.

Since April 2006, all public library authorities have signed up to the Quality Framework for Progression which ensures a basic offer to reading groups from libraries across the region.  This includes advice and guidance, help from library staff, suggestions for books to read, online information, and a downloadable Books Connect Reading Pack.

In addition a marketing campaign has distributed 10,000 flyers promoting access to free reading group support via libraries and their partners across the region.   

The report also highlights how public libraries in the East Midlands are working with a range of partners to extend reading group provision to readers who may not traditionally have accessed their services.  Reading groups are supported for visually impaired readers, emergent readers, people with mental health issues, asylum seekers, and looked after children.   

Further partnership working has provided online opportunities for reading groups to share their reading experiences via web chats with authors or twinning with reading groups abroad. 

In order to support and sustain the network, library staff have been involved in
skill share and training days, and in several instances are now developing a series of small  pilot projects working with volunteers to support reading groups in the community.  

As well as establishing a regional reading group network, the project has supported an exciting programme of creative opportunities for readers in public libraries, funded by Arts Council England, East Midlands.

Evaluation demonstrates very positive feedback and learning outcomes from two Up Close and Personal regional author tours and an innovative Writers2Readers project, which matched ten reading groups with nine regional authors for a series of visits to explore the writer/reader interface. 

The value and impact of the project as a whole are particularly well reflected in the qualitative strands of the evaluation, whether from audiences, reading groups, library staff, partners, and writers involved so far.

“I have read books I probably wouldn’t have, and thoroughly enjoyed them. I feel I am better equipped to push ahead with my writing now.”

“Kick started me back to reading poetry”

Participants in Writers2Readers Project

The report can be downloaded from here:
East Midlands Regional Reading Group Project: Interim Evaluation Report (872 kb)

The East Midlands Regional Reading Group Project is supported and delivered by the nine public library authorities, with support from Museums, Libraries and Archives East Midlands, The Reading Agency, and Arts Council England, East Midlands.