New facilities at Talking Book Library

The HSBC Cares For Children Fund has donated four computers and interactive materials worth some Lm7,000 to upgrade the Talking Book Library at the main public library in Floriana.

The new facilities are intended primarily for dyslexic children. The interactive materials donated include a significant number of children's books on CD Rom.

The upgraded library was inaugurated by HSBC's head of personal financial services, John B. Hackett and Education Minister Louis Galea.

Mr Hackett said: "Dyslexia presents a challenge for many children in Malta and Gozo. Youngsters inevitably find the condition frustrating and the difficulties they have in reading can lead them to give up on their education.

"The HSBC Cares For Children Fund wants to see all children fulfilling their potential and the Talking Book Library will now also be of great benefit to dyslexic children who can make use of these new facilities in order to enjoy some great books."

Dr Galea said "The government's aim of providing quality education for all necessitates an inclusive education which empowers students by giving them the necessary learning tools and skills. To achieve this we need to strengthen the networking between all the stakeholders including the private sector and the partnership that exists between the education sector and the HSBC Cares For Children Fund is a prime example of this".

The HSBC Cares For Children Fund was established in June 2000 and has donated well in excess of Lm200,000 to various initiatives and organisations helping disadvantaged children throughout Malta and Gozo. In addition to financial contributions the fund also provides volunteers from among HSBC's staff in order to assist in a number of these projects.

Over the past few years the Talking Book Library has provided a service to the blind, elderly and others with reading difficulties. In 2004, the library's 600 members borrowed 24,963 cassettes which featured a vast range of books.