Reading Groups

Reading Groups – informal associations of people who meet together to share their reading of novels, short stories and poetry – have recently been set up in two British Council centres in Portugal . Readers meet together more or less on a monthly basis, over a cup of tea or coffee, and discuss the books or books that they had collectively decided to read previously. The groups are offered free by the British Council, who encourage the groups to choose contemporary British authors. Anyone who loves reading and has a desire to share their experiences with others is encouraged to join, or start up their own group.

Contacts:
To set up your own group: fitch.oconnell@pt.britishcouncil.org

Coimbra
The Reading Group continues to meet every 2nd Saturday of the month. For more information, contact carolyn.cemlyn-jones@pt.britishcouncil.org
T 239 853 700

Porto
The Porto Reading Group normally meets on Wednesdays between 1000 and 1200. To confirm dates and times, please contact goreti.coutinho@pt.britishcouncil.org
T 22 207 3060

Lisbon
The Reading Group meets every month at Café no Chiado. For more information, contact isabel.lopes@pt.britishcouncil.org
T 21 321 4514
The Reading Groups are free and are promoted by the British Council and Café no Chiado. Café no Chiado is a very cosmopolitan restaurant in the Lisbon West End, based on a ‘Coffee and culture’ concept. Here you can have a nice home made meal, a sandwich or simply a tea with scones while you go through the daily newspapers or read a book from the wide selection available for free access. Property of the National Cultural Centre, Café no Chiado also gives access to the centre’s library and cyber-cafe. The Café no Chiado is located on Largo do Picadeiro nº11, between the Lisbon Opera House and the São Luiz Theatre. For more information please access www.cafenochiado.com.
Read, access or add comments to our reading group blog.

Infotecas

We give you easy access to up-to date information about the UK; the best of contemporary British fiction; DVDs; videos; newspapers and magazines; children’s literature; and exams practice materials. We can also certify your academic qualifications and get books and articles from the British Library.

INFORMATION ABOUT THE UK
Find out about any aspect of British culture and education system.

A LENDING SERVICE WITH A WIDE SELECTION OF RESOURCES
Our Infotecas offer to members and visitors a wide selection of resources on different subject areas and also free access to the Internet.

			British Literature
			Contemporary UK fiction
			Children’s literature
			Exams practice material
			English language practice material
			Simplified readers
			Magazines and newspapers
			DVDs and Videos

MEMBERSHIP
Our Infotecas are meant to support our students but are also open to the general public. Becoming a member is easy.

LOANS
If you are a member you can borrow:

			books and magazines for 21 days
			videos and DVDs for 7 days

If no other member has requested the item, you can renew your loans by phone:

			Coimbra		239 853 700
			Lisbon		21 321 4500
			Porto		22 207 3060

Certification of academic documents
The British Council in Porto certifies school, academic and professional British qualification documents. For more information, see our Portugal/UK equivalencies page.

British Library Document Supply Centre (BLDSC)
If you need materials for research work - books or copies of articles - that are not available from other libraries in the country, we can help:

Exam practice materials
If you are studying for an English exam, we can help. Check our collection of exams practice materials: books, tapes, and DVDs for loan and for sale

LEARN IN COMFORT
Our Infotecas offer you a relaxed learning environment, with extended opening hours, in Lisbon, Porto or Coimbra.