Discussion board

Where do we get and what do we want from stories now? What type of storytelling opportunities do games offer?

2008-11-24T15:09:31Z

At the seminar we hosted with Channel 4 we asked Do games tell a story? And if they do tell a story then what does this mean in terms of where we find our stories and what we want from them? Do you agree that games tell stories? We want to capture your thoughts. We then plan to publish a piece of new research-based thinking that reflects the discussions of the seminar and views expressed through this forum.

If Shakespeare was alive today, would he be writing games?

2008-12-04T21:45:48Z

This was the questioned raised at the debate we organised with Creative Partnership and Channel 4. The debate started by asking Do games tell a story? and by way of some lively debate and contributions we got to Would Shakespeare be writing games? The conclusion drawn by many contributors was that the many levels and layers of games means that they offer the richest creative opportunities for writers. Do you agree?

Orange has used its prize sponsorship to promote reading far beyond medialand

2009-04-05T19:57:45Z

Orange has used its prize sponsorship to promote reading far beyond medialand, Penny Shapland writes

I've always admired the way Orange uses its sponsorship of the Orange Prize to get great and accessible books into the hands of readers at the grassroots. Ten years ago, when I was a librarian in Hertfordshire, Orange sponsored us to run a daytime event at Welwyn Garden City Library. We wrote to the women's community groups on the county's database, and hundreds crowded in to hear Kate Mosse talk about the prize and the writers who had been longlisted for it. Readers' groups were set up, books were bought, borrowed and discussed, a good buffet was eaten, and people went away feeling extra good about Hertfordshire Libraries and Orange.

For the last eight years, Orange has scaled up its support for this kind of activity, sponsoring The Reading Agency to promote the whole range of prize books and to make social events where writers meet readers much more usual in libraries across the UK.

This enlightened approach to sponsorship means that not just the winner of the Orange Prize, but all 20 longlisted books as well as the books by the three writers shortlisted for the Orange Award for New Writers get into the hands of many thousands of readers. It is not just the literary in-crowd at the awards night but also hundreds of readers' groups in cities from Aberdeen to Penzance who are part of the excitement around the prize.

Our work also ensures that all 20 longlisted writers and the three new writers shortlisted for the Orange Award for New Writers sell a minimum of 1,000 extra copies each, and their books are read many times by readers and discussed in reading groups. Without this sponsorship, the boost in sales and profile would be limited to the winners - widening the gap between a handful of stars and the mass of writers who receive little attention.

For the past three years, Orange has supported a major annual event for readers outside London. The Reading Agency is organizing the third annual Orange Readers' Day - this year in Birmingham on 9 May. Four hundred readers will have the opportunity to spend time with writers and literary figures connected with the Prize, and all the writers' books will be available for sale at the event at Birmingham's Conservatoire.

Other leading prizes have followed Orange's lead in announcing longlists and promoting more accessible titles, but none has so far done as much outreach work. The activity for this year's Orange Prize and Orange Award for New Writers in 2,000 libraries and at the Birmingham readers' day will ensure that a wider range of books is read and discussed by a wider range of people than for any other literary prize.

Penny Shapland is Director of Resources and Strategic Operations at the Reading Agency.

Your suggestions for books for adults who want to improve their reading confidence

2009-04-05T20:19:17Z

It's official: libraries' work to encourage less confident adult readers is creating new book buyers too. Sponsored by Costa, the Six Book Challenge is now in its second year and attracting thousands of participants in colleges, community education, workplaces and prisons, many of whom are thrilled to complete one book let alone six. Evaluation of the 2008 Challenge shows that they are also becoming converts to borrowing and buying books. Of those asked before doing the Six Book Challenge, 42% said they used a library to borrow books and only 22.5% said they bought books. Of those surveyed afterwards, 89% expected to use the library more and 60% to buy more books.

But this means there's a growing demand for short appealing books. Untainted by any literary "canon", new readers can be the straightest critics once they have the confidence to realise it's not their fault if they are not enjoying a book.

The Quick Reads have proved a hit, with both sales and library loans topping the million mark since the first titles were launched in 2006. The Reading Agency has included these and titles by smaller publishers such as New Island, Sandstone, Barrington Stoke and Accent in our unique database for emergent readers at www.firstchoicebooks.org.uk. Publishers involved in The Reading Agency's Reading Partners programme have also been suggesting backlist titles that fit our criteria - less than 200 pages, minimum 12 point text, a strong "hook" for fiction and accessible formats for non-fiction. But we need more. We'd love to hear from any publishers and authors who would be interested to work with us to entice adults into reading for the first time. Or from anyone else who has suggestions for titles that make great reads for emerging readers.

Genevieve Clarke is a senior project manager with The Reading Agency.

Libraries - silver linings?

2009-04-08T16:47:29Z

Libraries are now a hot media topic and the Wirral inquiry offers hope for a turnaround, writes Miranda McKearney

As money gets tighter, the value of libraries as sources of free reading and information becomes more apparent. Last week's article in the Guardian by John Harris picked up on the effect of the recession.

Hard proof won't be available until the 2008-9 CIPFA figures are published, but at The Reading Agency we're already picking up loads of anecdotal evidence that the recession is sending more people into libraries. Some are visiting for business or job information (if they've been made redundant, for instance) -- and some are coming in for free books. Since research points to book borrowing and buying as complementary activities, it has to be good news for the book trade as well as for libraries that people are finding a way to keep reading through the credit crunch.

The best library authorities are seizing the moment to remind people of what they offer. Ciara Eastell, formerly of The Reading Agency and now Head of Libraries in Devon, can point to data showing increased use this year, thanks in part to recession-related promotions such as "Buy None Get Eight Free". Lots of other library services have similar evidence.

Many of these extra visits are from lapsed users. To adults who haven't visited since childhood, finding resources such as a rich variety of reading activities and computers with fast internet access can be a welcome surprise.

Lots of libraries use our reading promotions - the Six Book Challenge and the Summer Reading Challenge, for examples. These are designed to encourage repeat visits. We are also busy on new projects to support libraries' reading groups, which help people feel committed to their local libraries.

This combination of local marketing and national promotions is a powerful marketing approach. When the whole network agrees to works together -- as happened during the National Year of Reading -- the results can be startling. The NYR's national membership campaign brought in 2.3 million new library members, and individual local authorities agreed to a shared "one proof of address" approach to previously varied joining requirements. We're looking at what it would take to mount a follow-on campaign.

But libraries will have nothing to shout about unless they get proper investment, during and beyond the recession. With tighter budgets, local authorities may see the recession as an excuse to reduce their investment in libraries. A wave of closures has already been announced, the most serious in Wirral. Thrillingly, late last week, the government seemed to come to its senses, and decided to invoke the Secretary of State's powers under the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act to run a local inquiry to test whether the Council's plans are consistent with their statutory duty to provide all residents with a comprehensive public library service.

I remember the shock waves when a similar inquiry was launched in Derbyshire in 1991, and the huge turnaround in the library service since then. It's now thriving. Let's keep fighting!

Miranda McKearney is director of The Reading Agency.

The missing missions - Black and minority ethnic groups are undervalued and underexplored markets for publishers

2009-04-20T22:32:21Z

Download Sandeep Mahal's London Book Fair Presentation.ppt on The Missing Millions - Black and minority ethnic groups are undervalued and underexploited markets by publishers.

Do you agree?

Sandy further expands her arguments in the following article which first appreared in BookBrunch column

How many times have we had the conversation about ethnic diversity in publishing? Publishers are looking straight ahead for new markets, instead of at the life that's going on around them, writes Sandeep Mahal, project manager with The Reading Agency.

Our multi-cultural, multi-ethnic society is a growing and important market for publishers. On 21 April at the London Book Fair, I will be speaking at an IPG seminar (15.30-16.30 Marlborough Room) to explore how publishing can become a more diverse industry in terms of what is produced and how to sell it.

I will be suggesting ways to reach Black Minority Ethnic (BME) readers through libraries - the booktrade sector closest to BME communities and changing demographics.

In recent years, the book trade shown its commitment to diversity by taking part in initiatives such as Decibel's Books for All and The Reading Agency's Reaching Readers project. These initiatives explored how new partnerships between publishers, libraries and retailers can expand the BME reading market.

Libraries understand cultural and social differences. This is key to their success in reaching and building a strong and loyal customer base. Their connections with local BME people and partner organisations have helped them develop dedicated services and identify gaps in current provision.

The main challenge for libraries is getting hold of books that BME readers want. There are whole groups of people whose stories are not available because publishers don't publish them. They're looking straight ahead for new markets, instead of at the life that's going on around them. Publishing output is slow to change and libraries report complaints of inaction from library users. There is a huge appetite for author events and new titles.

As a clear demonstration of that appetite to engage, 62% of the participants at the 16 Reaching Readers author events 2007 were from BME backgrounds. An event at Manchester Powerhouse Library saw Manchester students meet author Bali Rai. One of the teachers attending said: "The Bali Rai event at Manchester Powerhouse Library was particularly meaningful to the Asian students, because they had not met an author who was from their community or ethnic background. As an Asian person, his views had more of an impact than a white English author would have had."

There is a hunger for more author visits and Reading Partners - a consortium which aims to get more people reading more by transforming the way libraries and publishers work together - has continued to build on this work. We are opening up rare opportunities for local people to meet writers like Rageh Omaar, Jackie Walker, Constance Briscoe and Hanif Kureshi. They have all done wonderful events with hugely diverse audiences.

In terms of the product, much more needs to be done to broaden the diversity of publishing output. Research by The Reading Agency and HarperCollins provides some fascinating insights into the habits of BME readers. It revealed a growing demand from BME readers for non-fiction, particularly books based on the lives of strong role models. This presents huge challenges and opportunities for the publishing industry in producing the right books to meet these demands.

Five hundred readers were surveyed of which 72% were women and 52% were under 35. The most popular genre was crime, mystery and thrillers. Literary fiction was cited by only 26% of respondents.

Our research also found that BME readers are often being targeted with the wrong material by publishers and the media, and that literary novelists such as Salman Rushdie and V S Naipaul were not popular with the majority of BME readers.

The research and project findings suggest the publishing industry need to follow libraries' lead and address the lack of diversity and representation. Libraries can help publishers reach new readers. Seventy-two per cent of BME people are active library users, with a quarter borrowing weekly and a third monthly.

Building a grassroots ethnic readership for writers through libraries should be a vital part of every publisher's strategy. Slowly, but surely this connection will make a positive impact on expanding the book market.

Sandeep Mahal manages Reading Partners, the partnership consortium which aims to expand the market for reading by transforming the way public libraries and adult publishers work together

While politicians demand statistics, a good deal of the most valuable work in libraries cannot be measured, Miranda McKearney and Debbie Hicks write

2009-05-07T13:13:52Z

The debate about the future of public libraries often boils down to hard data. The library service is awash with statistics--for visitor figures, annual issues, level of book stock and much more besides. The numbers have much to tell us about where libraries are strong and weak, but they don't reveal how they nourish communities by channelling the joys of reading to improve local people's lives.

This hard-to-measure impact is celebrated in the CILIP Libraries Change Lives Award, which since 1992 has rewarded innovative projects that affect people's lives for the better. The Reading Agency is thrilled to have made this year's shortlist with our Six Book Challenge-- a new nationwide scheme that encourages emergent adult readers to start exploring books by setting them the task of reading six books and rewarding them for the achievement.

Joining us on the Libraries Change Lives shortlist are two terrific initiatives. The Edinburgh Reading Champion Project helps young people in residential care to discover books, often for the first time. And Leeds Library and Information Service's partnership with local specialists has revolutionised the way libraries help children with autistism spectrum disorders.

Programmes like these really do change lives. "For me, the sense of achievement was like having my first child--it was as big as that," said one of our Challenge completers, Mary Jarvis. "Without the Six Book Challenge I don't think I would have had the confidence to even pick up a book. Now I am reading every day." Stories like Mary's are an inspiring testament to the power of libraries, and there are thousands more.

There's so much library reading-based work that supports people's long-term well-being. What we haven't quite cracked is how to prove it. This matters because local councils are more and more interested in well being, so to attract investment libraries need to be able to make the argument for their contribution.

It's interesting to look at the uncountable impact of libraries' burgeoning readers group network. Our recent mapping research shows there are now about 10,000 groups meeting the needs of 100,000 readers. Time after time we hear stories of the impact of these groups on people's self esteem and confidence, on their sense of belonging, on mental agility and memory, and on literacy and learning. Readers tell us belonging to a reading group is "better than any doctor's medicine."

But it's incredibly hard to measure this. As Albert Einstein said: "Not everything that counts can be counted."

Maybe we have to think differently. Maybe the proof has to be in the uptake? Libraries are having to work hard to keep pace with the demand for readers' groups, for instance.

It was so heartening to hear the councillor responsible for Bournemouth libraries talk at a recent conference about how he didn't want to waste precious resources trying to prove the unprovable. He challenged the audience to fund libraries simply on the basis that we all know they are a good thing, that they make for an informed and civilised society.

The 2009 Libraries Change Lives Award will be presented on Wednesday 15 July at the Umbrella conference. More details are at the CILIP website. More about the Six Book Challenge here.

Miranda McKearney is director, and Debbie Hicks is director of research, at The Reading Agency.

Reading and Health: The National Context

2009-05-15T14:59:14Z

Director of research at The Reading Agnecy, Debbie Hicks, gave a speech to bibliotherapy conference in Huddersfield on the role of reading in health and well-being. This is an extract from her speech. You can download the full speech and a copy of her presentation at the end of the extract. Do you share Debbie's views?

"I am absolutely passionate about the important, versatile and sometimes unrecognised role that reading can play in delivering health and well-being. A role that can range from the delivery of health information and self-help therapy at one end of the spectrum through to the sense of well-being generated by being part of a reading group, talking to others about books and empathising with character and story in a way that can throw a lifeline to all sorts of vulnerable people. Reading can build knowledge, grow understanding, connect people up, inject fun and throw a new light on personal experience. That makes it a pretty powerful remedy. And we are only just beginning to explore the healing possibilities of connecting up these different strands in new and exciting ways - for example combining self-help reading or health information with creative practice.

"And at the heart of all this sits the term bibliotherapy - a rather clumsy and awkward phrase, fast going out of fashion but useful shorthand for the power of reading to heal and keep people well."

Speech

Presentation

Orange Prize for Fiction 2009 Reviews

2009-06-02T07:20:55Z

Congratulations to Marilynne Robinson for Home this year's winner. Through our Reading Partners project which links libraries and publishers together we have been working with MA students from Manchester University. Their reviews of some of the shortlisted and longlisted Orange Prize for Fiction 2009 titles are below.

Tell us what you think. Leave your comments / reviews here.

Miranda McKearney's presentation at the Library Information Show

2009-06-12T15:27:59Z

Reading Agency director Miranda McKearney spoke at the 20th Library Information Show on 10 June 2009. Miranda presented her arguments for why libraries should involve users in their design and practice. Do you agree? Download her presentation here and let us know what you think. Go to the top of this page to register for the forum then you can post your comments.

User power presentation by Miranda McKearney

With the Six Book Challenge, libraries can reach new audiences

2009-06-18T12:11:15Z

written by Genevieve Clarke, senior project manager for The Reading Agency

"Books were a hot topic at last week's TUC learning conference. John O'Farrell regaled 400 delegates with tales from his Utterly Impartial History of Britain; Lola Jaye talked about her Quick Read, Reaching for the Stars; and The Reading Agency launched a booklet about a successful partnership between libraries and trade unions to promote its Six Book Challenge scheme, run in association with Costa Coffee, in workplaces as diverse as Corus Steelworks, Fox's Biscuits, a Royal Mail depot and Tesco in Yorkshire.

"Judging by the enthusiastic response of delegates, reading is likely to feature at future conferences as well. The trick has been to recruit union learning reps to the cause, people who have caught the learning bug and now promote learning to their peers.

"There are now 24,000 trained union learning reps across the workforce in England, keen to find ways to entice colleagues into learning centres and on to courses to improve their skills. They're aware of the Quick Reads through support from the TUC. and many run book swaps or small libraries. Schemes such as the Six Book Challenge are ready made as a catalyst to get people talking about reading and learning in the workplace.

"The idea has already been picked up by the TUC in the North-West, where Merseytravel, Warburtons and Jobcentre Plus are trying it out. Individual unions such as the Communication Workers, the Bakers, Food and Allied Workers, and the Fire Brigade are also coming on board in different parts of the country. Now that the Six Book Challenge has caught their imagination, there's no stopping these new activists for reading. And for libraries there's a fantastic opportunity to work with new partners and reach new audiences."

Involving young people in libraries

2009-07-24T15:56:43Z

"When you get used to going to the library it's just like going round to your mate's house" - Alex Pendlebury, 15, from Woolston High School, volunteer member of Warrington Youth Council for Libraries.

In the two years that The Reading Agency has been managing Fulfilling their Potential (FtP), the national youth strategy for libraries, we've seen a massive shift in engagement with young people (aged 11-19). Previously, the focus was passive - waiting for young people to come in and programming for them. Increasingly it's about developing a conversation and sharing power. Youth volunteering is mushrooming, encompassing ambassadorial roles, peer mentoring for the Summer Reading Challenge, designing inviting HeadSpace "read/listen/surf/chill" spaces and creative activities. The active participation approach brings increased book issues and visits, builds young people's confidence, self esteem and skills, and widens their reading.

"[HeadSpace is] so satisfying because we have been involved with it and it has worked!" - Phoebe Hill, young volunteer.

The North West FtP project demonstrates a powerful new type of creative conversation. In the beginning, 1,200 young people across 21 library services were involved in selecting or running a small event. Last year this figure jumped to 4,200, with young people being increasingly involved and committed to what was happening in their libraries: from designing them, to creating and developing reading group networks. Young people have now commissioned a design company to help them develop a campaign (launching in the autumn in print and online on groupthing.org) to showcase what libraries have to offer other young people. The future is a conversation - to be part of it get in touch.

Claire Styles is senior project manager at The Reading Agency(claire.styles@thereadingagency.org.uk)

What are your experiences of getting young people involved - with their library or any other arts and cultural activities you run? Register or sign in to tell us your stories.

Libraries must innovate and work together to get through tough times ahead

2009-10-08T10:26:43Z

"Everyone always says libraries need more friends in high places. I can't think of a better connected friend than Liz. How great to have the Arts Council weighing in with new support. I'm excited by the prospect of a big new push on libraries' reading role. My life has been transformed by the freedom libraries have given me so I feel very lucky to be running a charity that's working with you to increase libraries' impact through reading. (I don't think there's an authority in the room we aren't doing something with, and if we're not, please can I talk to you?!) So in this big new push, what might The Reading Agency do, what's our manifesto for change?" Miranda McKearney

Read the full text of Miranda's MM PLA Conference Speech on 8 October and comment on our five-point action plan. Register or sign in at the top of this page to leave your comments.

Children can turn the page to a better life

2009-11-25T12:59:46Z

Reading for pleasure is vital to children's reading habits and has positive benefits for their future successes. Read the article in The Times that contains an extensive interview with our director Miranda McKearney and then tell us what you think by signing into this discussion forum.

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/public_sector/article6923991.ece

What are your 2010 Digital Resolutions? Tell us on 27 January at #geekcamp

2010-01-11T22:59:33Z

If you're interested in discussing practical and creative digital things with literature and arts people this is the meet-up for you.

We need YOU to come to geekcamp with things you're burning to show people or talk about - something digital you're interested in, a general question, a digital project you're proud of or one which failed in an interesting way, or something practical you've learned. Some of you will be keen to start conversations and discussions around a laptop - it could be YOU. The rest of us will have plenty to say, and we'll make sure everything is well organised. Our geekcamp last year proved this works for us. So come with something to tell us or show us and join in. Enthusiasm and interest are enough to take part.

6pm-6.30pm: coffee and networking
6.30pm-7.30pm: Discussion groups slot 1 - you the audience lead discussions on whatever you like
7.30pm-8.30pm: Discussion groups slot 2 - another chance to talk about something exciting

If you have practical digital problems we'll help you find someone who can help you solve them.

Bring a laptop if you have one and some biscuits to help make friends. Free Word will provide WiFi, whiteboards and tea and coffee.

geekcamp is FREE. Please register for a ticket at http://geekcamp2.eventbrite.com if you'd like to come as space is limited.

Twitter tag: #geekcamp - please tell people about us

geekcamp is organised by Pete Law and The Reading Agency in partnership with Free Word.

Date for your diary: geekcamp 3 will be taking place on Wednesday 24 March at Free Word.