Special Services

Large Print books

We have a good collection of large print books in Reading Libraries. Each branch has a range of large print fiction and non-fiction books. We try and stock one copy at least of all books nominated for literary prizes as well as ones by more popular authors. Crime, romance and other genre books have a coloured spot on the spine to help identify them. Large print books are moved regularly between libraries to ensure readers have a constant supply of new stock.

Spoken word stock

We have a large collection of audiobooks on cassette. Most are unabridged readings although we do have some abridged and shorter works. We have a wide range of novels and also non-fiction, including poetry, biographies, radio humour and history. All branches have a regular supply of new stock on cassette.

Reading, Tilehurst and Caversham  Libraries also has a collection of audiobooks on CD. Most are works of fiction but we do have some non-fiction titles.

Book Group for Visually Impaired People

Reading Libraries runs a book group for visually impaired people.
We hold regular meetings in the Central Library from 3:00 - 4:30pm on the 4th Thursday of each month to discuss books and reading. We listen to books on audio cassette tapes instead of reading the printed version. Multiple copies of tapes are supplied by Calibre.
For further information, please contact Jacky Mathewson on 0118 901 5955

Basic Skills

Need help with English and Maths? We have collections of books at Reading Central Library, Battle Library and Whitley Library to help you. We offer dictionaries, grammar and punctuation books as well as books to help you practice your numeracy skills. We also have graded reading books for adults to help you improve your fluency in English. 

RaW

RaW is a BBC campaign to encourage adults to Read more and Write better.

Would you like to improve your reading and writing skills in a fun way?

You can read the RaW magazine at all Reading libraries.
You can visit the RaW website at www.bbc.co.uk/raw

Reading Libraries can help people who want to practise their reading and writing skills. We have graded reading books for adults plus dictionaries, grammar books, books on punctuation and spelling. Come and see!

Language courses

Do you want to improve your pronunciation of a foreign language or learn a new one? All Reading libraries stock language courses on CD and cassette and lend them for a small charge. We have multiple copies of popular languages like French and Spanish but we also have courses in Japanese, Arabic or even Welsh.

Other Facilities in Reading Libraries for Customers with Visual Impairments

Sight & Sound PC – a computer located on Floor 1 of Reading Central Library. This has Supernova software to provide magnification and speech that can be used with Office software programs and the Internet. There is a large keyboard and trackball as well as a standard keyboard and mouse attached. Library staff can only provide basic assistance.

Children’s Access Computer – this is available in the children’s section of Reading Central Library. It has the same software as the Sight & Sound PC, but is dedicated for the use of children.

Magnifier – AverMedia’s AverVision 300, located on Floor 1. This magnifies from a page of a book or newspaper directly onto a screen. The magnification can be adjusted, as well as brightness and colour filter choice.

Magnifying glasses – we have magnifying glasses available for customers at all branches.

Big Print Newspaper – we subscribe to the weekly Big Print newspaper at Reading Central Library and Caversham Library.

Audio-described videos – we have a small collection of audio-described videos at Reading Central Library.

Braille for Children – Central and Tilehurst Libraries have subscriptions with ClearVision for a changing collection of children’s books with Braille.

Staff – our staff are very friendly and always willing to help customers choose stock or use any of the library services.