Connections Suite

The Connections Suite is situated on the lower level of Dundee Central Library. The space has been specially adapted to accommodate Reading and IT Groups. Having this dedicated area gives the groups a safe, relaxing and comfortable environment, that they can identify with, and feel safe and secure. Paintings done by the groups are displayed in this department, and there are also plans to display sculptures that the groups have worked on recently.



Many photographs also adorn the walls of the reading area, giving the groups a sense of ownership and belonging.




The Connections Suite also has a range of resources available to borrow which could help carers and family members of vulnerable people, these include books on Makaton, Storybook and Storystarter cards, as well as colour cards and books on emotions, family, behaviour and feelings.
We also have a range of books on dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD.

There is a self-help section in this department which has CD's and books on motivation, ,empowerment, relaxation manuals and alternative therapies. Audio books on tape are also located here, as well as a selection of picture books, which carers, or families, may want to borrow, or read aloud in a secluded seating area of the department . A carrel in this department also houses a Kurtzweil Reader and a magnifier to aid people with visual problems. There is also storage space, used to hold all the resources required for the reading and IT sessions.

The IT space has eight computers available for vulnerable group use These have a printer and scanner attached. Specialised software such as Boardmaker, Texthelp-Read and Write, Kidspiration and Inspiration is also available on these terminals.

IT Groups in Central Library

Since September 2009 we have been running It groups in the Connections Suite of the Central Library for groups with special or additional needs. At present we have seven groups who attend on a weekly basis. Most groups stay for a two hour session. For the first part of the session we tend to look at things that would interest the individual users, this could be music sites or family history for example, or in some cases playing simple graphics games to improve motor and cognitive skills,such as UK Learn after a short refreshment break we then work on an IT project. At the moment we are working on individual personal story books. Staff compiled a list of ideas that could feature in the book such as, favourite time of the year, future plans, descriptions of themselves etc. These pages are accompanied by photographs, or images, to illustrate the book. These images were chosen by the individual ,who also dictated as to what should be written and what would be included into the book. Some people, with mild learning problems, needed very little help, mostly just with spelling, and some computer applications, while others who had less communication skills, and more severe learning problems, were able to express what they wanted by using Makaton or simply pointing to the screen. Once the book is complete it is then given a cover and bound. The user is then able to take the book home with them as an example to show friends and family what they have been working on and then they have a very personal and unique book all about them and their likes and dislikes. These books can also be beneficial to carers and helpers in finding out more about the person they are supporting.