Social Agenda

Encouraging book group participation in harder-to-reach people and places

Our social agenda is about creating social justice. To do this, we are committed to promoting literacy and a love of books within sectors of the community currently under-represented within book groups. We value:

Diversity

We encourage participation of all peoples and individuals in book groups

Community

We encourage people to reduce their social isolation and feel part of their community.

Therefore we prioritise and subsidise book group initiatives for the following groups: 

Partnership with Blind Low Vision NZ

If you have trouble with your vision, we have an arrangement with Blind Low Vision NZ (formerly The Blind Foundation) that makes about 40% of our titles available as audio books through the Blind Low Vision NZ library. It is free for BLVNZ members to join a BDS book group.

The catalogues of both organisations have been cross-referenced so that groups are able to choose titles available from both agencies. The book titles held in common are indicated in our print catalogue by an ear symbol alongside the book title. If you are using the online catalogue, select the filter ‘Blind Low Vision Library’.

If you are not already a member of Blind Low Vision NZ, contact them to find out if you meet their criteria. They also have an 'associate membership' option for those who may not meet the requirements for full membership. Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.