MacLellan, Fiona

Townend, Jennifer

English

NECTAR

This work has been submitted to NECTAR, the Northampton Electronic Collection of Theses and Research.http://nectar.northampton.ac.uk/1321/Creator(s): Fiona MacLellan and Jennifer TownendTitle: Reading groups: a university outreachOriginally presented to: Art Libraries Society (ARLIS) Annual ConferenceEvent location: University of LiverpoolEvent dates: 23 – 25 July 2008Example citation: MacLellan, F. and Townend, J. (2008) Reading groups: a university outreach. Poster presented to: Art Libraries Society (ARLIS) Annual Conference 2008, University of Liverpool, 23 – 25 July 2008.Reading Groups - a University OutreachAfter discussions with Community Volunteers, a potential opportunity was identified in the form of  the Northampton YWCA. A few months later we found ourselves perched on tiny plastic chairs amongst the squeals and tears of  a Mums and Tots session.  Not the ideal location to discuss literature, you might think, but an hour later we emerged triumphant with a list of  names of  young mothers who wanted to participate.  So, we were enthusiastic, the young women were keen and thanks to funding from Widening Participation, we were all set… We began by visiting the YWCA in January 2007 armed with fresh fruit and cakes (always an incentive!).  Through discussion and with a little help from Amazon, Waterstone‟s and the legendary Richard and Judy book club (!) we compiled a list of  potential reads from which we voted for our favourites.  Meeting once a month for two hours allows us to spend the first hour discussing the latest book, working through a series of  structured questions, whilst the second hour is set aside for activities including: debates, quizzes, analysis of  poetry and lyrics and more recently we‟ve taken to introducing a period of  quiet time for making a start on the next book. Eighteen months, one short story, seventeen books and three babies later and the group are thriving – initial attendance of  five participants has now more than doubled!  “The young women look forward to coming in for the sessions and they are often heard discussing the book content …they now make time to read and for some it has created some relaxing „me time‟ which is important for young mums.”  “The young women enjoy the Reading Group sessions very much.”YWCA staffLevels of  confidence amongst group members have soared, fuelling regular lively discussions based upon a range of  books, not just the ones actively selected.  Many of  the group have realised that they can find some precious time and space to read, they are also discovering that lifelong learning needn‟t be difficult or scary but can be an enjoyable experience.The Reading Group has encouraged a positive interaction between the University and the general public and we are so inspired by its success that we plan to extend the project into other areas of  the local community.“My reading material is more varied now; I never used to read fiction.  It‟s broadened my horizons.”“I have so much more confidence in voicing my opinions”Group membersTitles read so far:Connor and Jenny - A short story by Kate PetersonThe Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John BoyneA Long Way Gone: Memoirs of  a Boy Soldier by Ishmael BeahGetting Rid of  Matthew by Jane Fallon Little Face by Sophie HannahThe Raw Shark Texts by Steven HallShame by Jasvinder SinghA Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini The Fairy Godmother by Mercedes LackeyThe Wasp Factory by Iain BanksShe‟s Come Undone by Wally LambThe Curious Incident of  the Dog in the Night Time by Mark HaddonThe Secret of  Crickley Hall by James HerbertThe Woods by Harlan CobenTears at Bedtime by Tom WilsonThen We Came to the End by Joshua FerrisA Quiet Belief  in Angels by R.J.ElloryCrippen: A Novel of  Murder by John BoyneFuture reads include:Duma Key by Stephen KingIn Foreign Fields by Dan CollinsFiona MacLellan & Jenny Townend2006 was a summer of  change in Information Services and one idea that emerged was creating a Reading Group with the aim of  engaging the University with the local community and improving confidence with literacy.

Reading groups: a university outreach

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