Dyslexia Awareness Week
“Dyslexia & Us”
Edinburgh City Libraries in association with Dyslexia Scotland and BNYMellon
Monday 31st October –Saturday 5thNovember
Monday 31st October
CentralReferenceLibraryGeorgeIVBridge – EH1 1EG 6.30pm – 8.00pm
Opening of Edinburgh’s Dyslexia Awareness Week Programme: Deidre Brock, Convenor for Culture and Leisure.Des Dillon, playwright, poet, author (of BBC Scotland’s soap ‘River City’, ‘Me and Ma Gal’, ‘Blue Hen’…) will be in conversation with Cathy Magee, Dyslexia Scotland, Tom Palmer, best-selling author of children’s books (‘Foul Play’, ‘Football Academy’, ‘Scrum’…)and Michael Kelly, author and one of the many contributors to ‘Dyslexia and Us’.
Extracts from ‘Dyslexia and Us’, a poignant book of over 100 diverse personal experiences, will be read, as part of its official launch.
To book a place please email or phone 0131 242 8100
Other events on the same day
Central Library Mezzanine Floor, 2.30-3.30pm
Artist in conversation - Mark Stoddart shares his experiences of dyslexia and discusses his work. ‘At the age of 13, I was introverted, withdrawn, had zero confidence and all the different forms of dyslexia you can have…At 18, I left school in Sussex with the confidence and desire to achieve and put my dyslexic symptoms to one side.’
To book a place please emailor phone 0131 242 8022
Wester Hailes Library, 1 West Side Plaza, EH14 2ST.
10.15am-11.15am
Keith Cook will be demonstrating his Olympic and Commonwealth Gameschampionship fencing skills. This is a closed event.
Tuesday 1st November
Central Library Learning Centre, George IV Bridge, EH1 1EG. 10am-1pm
Workers Education Association
Jessie Harrington from WEA will provide practical guidance for employers on how to assist employees with Dyslexia. These will be highly informative sessions, so come along to hear from employers who already have excellent procedures in place for Dyslexic employees.
To book a place, please email -
Blackhall Library,56 Hillhouse Road, Edinburgh, EH4 5EG. 7pm – 8pm
Is anyone in your family mad about sport?
Top selling children’s author of ‘Foul Play, ‘Dead Ball’ and the ‘FootballAcademy’ series, Tom Palmer brings his Rugby Reading Game to Edinburgh. Take part in a fun quiz and penalty competition for the chance to win a family trophy. Tom will be joined by Barrington Stoke, the publisher of his recent book, ‘Scrum’. Barrington Stoke use special editing and design processes to support struggling, reluctant and dyslexic readers and will be very happy to chat to parents. Particularly suitable for ages 8-12.
To book a place please emailor phone 0131 529 5595.
Film House Cinema,88 Lothian Road EH3 9BZ 6pm- tickets £3 from the Filmhouse
Kara Tointon:‘Don’t call Me Stupid’ PLUS short film‘bAd’
Actress Kara Tointon dreams about reading a novel from cover to cover. Standing in her way is her dyslexia. In this intimate documentary, Kara is tested and undergoes specialist help. She also meets other young dyslexics, many of whom share Kara’s experience of feeling ‘stupid’. As Kara faces some difficult truths about herself, will she be able to take control of her difficulty and transform her life?
PLUS ‘bAd’, a short drama about a dyslexic child trying to get through the 5th grade in the 1970s.This screening will be followed by audience discussion with panel guests. Call 0131 228 2689 for tickets.
Wednesday 2nd November
Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Ave, EH15 1AU. 10am-11am
Keith Cook will be demonstrating his Olympic and Commonwealth Gameschampionship fencing skills.This is a closed event.
WesterHailes library, 1 West Side plaza, EH14 2ST. 10am-2pm.
16-25 years old and applying for jobs?
BNY Mellon and Apex Hotels will be giving targeted help to those with dyslexia on how to apply for jobs. Drop-in session, but in order to book an individual session for tips and advice with experienced employers,please emailor phone 0131 529 5667.
Muirhouse Library, 15 Pennywell Court, EH4 4 TZ. 2-3.30pm
Sighthill Library,Gate 55, 55 Sighthill Road, Edinburgh, EH11 4PB. 6-7.30pm
Arnaud Touanga, rapper musician. His single, ‘Can’t hold me down’ is a song about his own personal struggle with dyslexia and how he overcame the obstacles he faced with perseverance and help from others. Back by popular demand, afterhis successful sessions last year!
To book a place please email:
or phone 0131 529 5528
or phone 0131 529 5566
Oxgangs Library, 343 Oxgangs Road North, EH13 9LY. 6.30pm -7.30pm
Allan Wilson from CALL Scotlandwill demonstrate some exceptional assistive technology for those with dyslexia. This event is for all the family.
To book a place please email:or phone 0131 529 5549
Thursday 3rd November
Stockbridge Library, 11 Hamilton Place, EH35BA. 6.30-7.30pm
Allan Wilson from CALL Scotlandwill demonstrate some exceptional assistive technology for those with dyslexia. This event is for all the family.
To book a place please email: or phone 0131 529 5665
Central Library Learning Centre, George IV Bridge,EH1 1EG. 2-5pm
Workers Education Association
Jessie Harrington from WEA will provide practical guidance for employers on how to assist employees with Dyslexia. These will be highly informative sessions, so come along to hear from employers who already have excellent procedures in place for Dyslexic employees.
To book a place, please email -
Friday 4th November
Muirhouse Library, 15 Pennywell Court, EH4 4TZ. 10am-1.30pm
16-25 years old and applying for jobs?
BNYMellon Apex Hotels and Waitrosewill be giving targeted help to those with dyslexia on how to apply for jobs. Drop-in, but to book an individual session for tips and advice with experienced employers please emailor phone 0131 529 5528
Saturday 5th November
StirlingEnterprisePark, Stirling FK7 7RP, 10.30am-3pm
Dyslexia Scotland Annual General Meeting/Information and Networking Day
Come along to Dyslexia Scotland’s annual Networking Day forthe opportunity to listen to stories from the newly launched book ‘Dyslexia and Us’, including Paul McNeill, Scottish Football Association Regional Manager, who will tell his story in person. Tamsin Morrison, illustrator of the book cover, will describe her work. Eilidh Steel, musician and contributor to ‘Dyslexia and Us’, will perform with Mark Neal. Eilidh and Mark are a Scottish music duo playing traditional and contemporary tunes and songs with many of their own compositions on fiddle, guitar and vocals. Contact Dyslexia Scotland for more details on 01786 446650 or
Exhibitions
Monday 31st October to Friday 4th November
Central Library, Mezzanine, George IV BridgeEH1 1EG
Mark Stoddart – International Designer.
Craigmillar Library, 7 Niddrie Marischal Gardens, EH16 4LX
Portobello Library, 14 Rosefield Avenue, EH151AU
Andrew Crummy, local, national and international artist.most recently famed for his fantastic artwork on the Prestonpans Tapestry. Andrew, himself dyslexic, will be displaying some of his artwork at both Portobello and Craigmillar Libraries during Dyslexia Awareness Week
There are numerous books and displays covering the topic of Dyslexia in Edinburgh City Libraries.
Search the library catalogue on
Dyslexia Chatterbooks meets monthly for children aged 8-12 in the Central Library, GeorgeIVBridge.
To book a place please email
For general enquiries about the programme or events please email or
0131 529 7791 or 0131 242 8022
For more information about dyslexia, visit
Programme correct at time of print. You will be notified of any last minute alterations if booked into an event.
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