Case Study: L Derry & Omagh Deaf Book Clubs

Case Study: L Derry & Omagh Deaf Book Clubs

Setting up a Deaf Book Club

Case Study: L’Derry & Omagh Deaf Book Clubs

Through SEP two deaf book clubs have been established in L’Derry Central Library and Omagh Library. The first in L’Derry was set up just over two years ago and is still going strong. Omagh Deaf Book Club has been set up in the last six months.

The aim of the book clubs is to promote ‘active citizenship’ and encourage engagement between Deaf sign language users and their local library whilst offering the opportunity for Deaf people to develop their English skills. It is also a really important part of meeting people and having the opportunity to socialise regularly.

Venue and Equipment

Libraries NI L’Derry & Omagh agreed to allow the groups to use their private meeting rooms to host the club’s weekly club meetings which last for two hours. Where possible the library has offered the use of the projector and screen and tea/coffee facilities. The group bring their own ipad and quick read books.

Staffing

The group is independent and self led. However, to improve Deaf awareness members of staff have joined in with the group for a few weeks and even assisted on less busy periods.

This will depend on the staffing and resources in each area.

How do we start a club?

The starting point would be to engage with your local deaf club or find out locally if there is interest in a Deaf book club.

Once agreed on the day and time you can create a poster. If you are creating the poster yourself please use plain English and add a visual to show the book (see templates below)

The group can decide if they would like to manage the club themselves without a ‘lead’ or ‘teacher’ or if they prefer someone to take lead. Sign language users’ first language will either be British sign language or Irish sign language so it will be important to identify a local deaf person who also has good English skills to lead the group and essentially ‘teach’ the English words to the group.

  1. The group will then select a ‘quick read’ or standard book and read it together.
  2. The book is downloaded onto a tablet.
  3. Each page of the book is projected onto a projector screen and the ‘leader’ or members of the club can go to the front of the room and sign the first few pages. This is signed in a visual manner.
  4. The group then scroll back through and identify English words which they would like to clarify and learn.

Tip: It is good practice to establish a contact person within the group. Text that person using plain English if there are any room changes, closure etc.

For more information or support in setting up your book club contact Action on Hearing Loss Head Office, Belfast.

Derry Deaf Book Club

Come along, meet new people, quick read book, learn English language, have a nice cup of tea…

When: Every Wednesday

Where: Quiet Study Area, upstairs

Derry Central Library

Foyle Street

Opposite Bus Station

Time: 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Tea, coffee and biscuits.

Hope to see you there. New members always welcome 

Omagh Deaf Book Club

Come along, meet new people, quick read book, learn English language, have a nice cup of tea…

When: Tuesday 17th Sept – Tuesday 17th Dec

How long: 14 weeks

Where: Omagh Library

1 Spillars Place

Irishtown Road Omagh

Committee Room, upstairs

Time: 6.00pm - 8.00pm

Tea, coffee and biscuits.

Hope to see you there. New members always welcome 

Sensory Engagement Programme

A partnership project between RNIB, Action on Hearing Loss, NCBI and DeafHear funded by the EU's INTERRREG IVA Programme, managed by the SEUPB.