My sister, an avid reader, has difficulty
in reading standard-size print in published books. Because of this she has
turned to large print editions and to talking books. She has found limited
choice of reading material available in both of these forms, and New Zealand
authors are rarely represented.
Having
heard her complain about the lack of choice afforded other readers I checked
out our library’s data bases and found the range of materials available
uninspiring.
A visit to the larger bookstores drew a blank.
When I approached staff members and asked where I might find the large print
section, puzzled faces met my inquiry.
"We don't
have any."
"Why
not?" I asked.
A shoulder shrug and backing away from me was the
common response to this fractious question, as the assistants slunk away. I left
wondering why in our society where equal opportunity is a priority, bookstores
did not see a need to cater to those whose sight was failing.
I
got to thinking then, whether the so-called literary world knew what the
reading public wanted.
Do
they ever ask the reading public?
My
examination of the written materials stocked in store showed the focus to be on
cookbooks, how to do, life stories of sportspersons, fancy stationery and what
I would class as knick-knacks; the gutsy stuff was in short supply.
In
these hard times when every opportunity to draw customers is a bonus, I would
have thought large print books and talking books in bookshops would have been a
must. Books in many differing genres, written by New Zealand authors, are readily
available from independent publishers. Letsbuybooks.weebly.com, and Amazon are
sites where titles may be viewed.
Why
not encourage libraries and bookshops to visit these sites and to stock these
works?
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