Due to unforeseen circumstances this event has been postponed. We’ll update you as soon as we know.

Simon Savidge from Libraries Connected and Trish Sail from RNIB are attempting to travel 1,100 miles across the whole of the UK to visit seven libraries in six days to promote accessible reading services.

The Race Across the Libraries event has been created by Share the Vision in partnership with Libraries Connected and RNIB (Royal National Institute of Blind People) and with funding from The Ulverscroft Foundation to highlight the world of accessible reading that is open to blind and partially sighted people.

At present there are an estimated 180,000 people living with sight loss in Scotland, and this is likely to increase to over 200,000 people by 2030.

For many people who lose their sight, there may be a concern that they will no longer be able to read as they did before, but that’s not the case, and libraries can be a fantastic gateway to discovering that although you may not be able to read standard print, you can still access, enjoy, and share a diverse range of reading and experiences.

Vikki Kerr, Orkney Council’s Team Manager (Libraries and Archives), said, 

“We wish Simon and Trish every success on their journey to Orkney and look forward to highlighting the range of free and accessible content available in alternative formats that we have here in the Orkney Library & Archive for blind and partially sighted people to access. 

“I am confident their UK-wide effort will raise the profile of library services to people with sight loss but, also to others who may have impairments for whom we aim to be as accessible as possible. 

“Libraries are so much more than simply a place to pick up a book. They are integral parts of the community, and we continue to come up with new and innovative ways to improve our offer to everyone.” 

Simon and Trish will catch trains, planes, and ferries on a breakneck tour around the UK and will also undertake fun challenges at every library they visit, showcasing a different aspect of accessibility in libraries. The challenge gets underway at Exeter Library on Sunday, March 17 and visits will follow to libraries in Bath and Cardiff (Monday, March 18), Antrim (Tuesday, March 19), Manchester (Wednesday, March 20), Aberdeen (Thursday, March 21) before concluded in Orkney on Friday, March 22.  

Lara Marshall, Libraries Engagement Manager for RNIB said,  

“I can’t wait for Simon and Trish to set off on the Race Across Libraries trail. This has been such an exciting project to work on with Share the Vision. Being able to highlight all the wonderful work being done in libraries throughout the UK around accessibility for blind and partially sighted people is such an important and lesser-known part of what libraries are doing for people every day. 

“I’m sure the challenge will encourage more people with sight loss to find out about the great range of resources and services which are available when they step into their local library.”

For more information about RNIB reading services, please visit Reading and books | RNIB.