Reader Development

The main aim of reader development is to enhance reading experiences and open up choices to all.

The idea is to encourage, initiate, develop and promote library services to all of the people of Sunderland.

Events and Activities

Murder Inc.

Join authors Sheila Quigley and Ken McCoy who will be talking about ‘Murder Inc’ and how they started writing, their experiences and motivations. They will also be reading extracts from their latest books.

Wednesday 12 November 2008  6pm to 7.30pm at Southwick Library

Reading Groups

There are several Reading Groups across the City, for further details please contact the City Library and Arts Centre on (0191) 5141235 or email libraries@sunderland.gov.uk.

For Adults

The Blue Bell Reading Group

This group was formed as part of National Year of Reading celebrations. The group is very new, having only met since May 2008, but is a chance to read and discuss books with other book lovers, who cannot meet during daytime for various reasons. The group meet at the Blue Bell Pub, Fulwell Road, Sunderland on the first Tuesday of every month 7.30- 9.00pm. 

Sunderland Public Libraries is the driving force behind the group and the reason a pub was decided on as a location was to try and attract a different audience to daytime library users. The Blue Bell pub, which is located near to Fulwell Library, was contacted and from the start staff were very enthusiastic and supportive of the idea. 

We are hoping the Group will go from strength to strength. It is very informal; we decide on one book per month, the choice of book is a group decision. 

For more information email fulwell.library@sunderland.gov.uk or telephone 0191 – 5535260

 - Tuesday Writers Group (based at City Library and Arts Centre)
 - Washington Green Library Reading Group
 - Washington Town Centre Library Reading Group

For Children

There are several  reading groups located around the City, please contact us for further details at  libraries@sunderland.gov.uk .

For those with Visual Impairments

 - City Library and Arts Centre Visually Impaired Persons Reading Group.

 - Houghton Library and Customer Service Centre Visually Impaired Persons Reading Group.

Please click here for more information on these groups.

Headroom - Sunderland Public Libraries are working with the BBC to promote Headspace, a campaign to promote mental well-being. For more information please contact libraries@sunderland.gov.uk or visit the BBC website.

Branching Out - for the last three years Sunderland Public Libraries have been involved in the Branching Out national initiative.  Branching Out was created by the Society of Chief Librarians to reach readers through public libraries. 

Examples of Reader development websites include:-
Branching Out  www.branching-out.net  
Opening the Book  www.openingthebook.com 
Whichbook.net  www.whichbook.net

Community Libraries

Libraries Home Page