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 and CD. 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 audiobooks.

Book Group for Visually Impaired People

Reading Libraries runs two book groups for visually impaired people.
Our Thursday VIP Group meets on the 4^th Thursday of each month.  We hold regular meetings in the Central Library from 3:00 – 4pm.   

Our Wednesday VIP Group meets on the 4^th Wednesday of each month.  We hold regular meetings in the Central Library from 2:30 – 3.30pm.  

 We listen to books on audio cassette tapes and MP3 discs instead of reading the printed version. Multiple copies of tapes & MP3 discs 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 all libraries 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. 

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.

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.