Creating a Book Culture In a Special Needs School With Specific Reference to Visually Impaired Learners

Abstract

This paper outlines the role played by the library at a special needs school in Durban, South Africa, to create within the school a dynamic and vibrant book culture. The task is a challenging one, because with limited resources, the library staff are endeavoring to create opportunities and circumstances which will facilitate learners who have physical disabilities (including visual impairment), linguistic incompetence and cultural impoverishment, to access the richness of reading, writing, and storytelling and listening. The process began with recognizing the inadequacy of the library. Subsequently, enlarging the library, acquiring 2000 new books, including visually impaired learners and introducing a writing club facilitated a process which is ongoing.