The proposal for the Sampola Library
reading point in Tampere stemmed from the
patrons, e.g. the Pirkanmaa association for
people with reading difficulties. The association
wanted a place to organize general services
and distribute information about
reading difficulties.

Library Director Ritva Järvelin took the
reading matter to heart. A separate area was
made for reading issues using lightweight
walls, and the area was named the Reading
Square. An adjustable desk and a computer
with a monitor larger than a regular one
were placed in the Reading Square. The
reading programs Orvokki and Lexia 4 were
installed on the computer. Easy-to-read
instructions for using the computer programs
were written and tested on representatives of
the target group.

The city library applied for funding from the
Ministry of Education for developing services
for reading patrons and for creating the
operating concept of the Reading Square.
The first phase of the project began in 2004,
and it received subsequent funding for the
years 2005 and 2006.

Last spring, specialist services in study skills
and special education were tested out at the
Reading Square. The project has enabled the
library staff to become more familiar with
the special needs of patrons with reading
difficulties. Indeed, reading issues had been
discussed earlier, and the city library has had
a reading workgroup for several years, which
has arranged information briefings on the
subject, among other things, for the library
staff.
Pirkanmaan association for people with
reading difficulties and Tampere’s Adult
Education Center are working in partnership
with the library. In addition to people with
reading difficulties, the target groups of the
project include teachers and other persons
whose work is related to reading matters.

Kirjastolehti,
the Finnish Library Association