HELP USING ENCOMPASS

Flash or non-Flash?

There are two versions of enCompass's unique selection mechanism on this site – one for people who have the Flash plug-in installed (version 5 or above) and a non-Flash version for those without the Flash plug-in or those that prefer a static site easily read by Text readers for the Visually Impaired and easier to click on for those with motor disabilities.

If you do not have the correct version of Flash installed, we highly recommend you download it as it will greatly enhance your enjoyment of this site. Flash is free – and quick and easy to install.

How to select books on enCompass

If you're not sure what to read next but you know what sort of books you enjoy, enCompass's selection mechanism is ideal for you. By selecting from different categories reflecting your tastes, enCompass will recommended a list of titles from the best contemporary UK and Commonwealth authors. You can also use browse the booklists and author index, use the Quick Search box, ask the Online Reader in Residence or read aother reader's reviews. 

Five ways to search and browse will show you how.

Discussion Boards and Chat

We hope to encourage lively and interesting debate on enCompass about books and literature – and you can join in too. We will be holding regular online chats and there will always be topics of interest being discussed on our Discussion Boards. You can read discussions and chats without joining in but if you would like to contribute you will need to register – simply click the 'Register' link at the top of the screen in both sections. Once registered, you may also opt-in to be notified of any new posts to the Discussion Boards or any other events on enCompass you may be interested in. You may cancel your membership at any time and don't worry – we take your privacy extremely seriously and we won't give out your contact details to anyone.

For more information and instructions on using the Chat and Discussion Boards click on these links:

Practical Tips for Running Live Chats

Guidance for Chat Participants

Joining in Discussions on the Webboard

Terms and Conditions 

Online Reader in Residence

Our Online Reader in Residence can help you to:

• select books
• start a webboard discussion
• organise a chat with another Reading Group

Every month she writes a newsletter, reviews her book of the month and tests your knowledge of books with a themed quiz – visit the Online Reader in Residence on site or you can e-mail her.

REading group advice

Follow the links or the menus to find other useful information and happenings on this site. In the Reading Groups section you will find the Reading Group Toolkit, Ideas, Reading Groups around the world, a Calendar of events and links to other useful reading sites.

Where to buy your book

We have a guide for you including links to our offices overseas, a list of online bookseller's sites and to exporting booksellers in the UK. You can find this in the About enCompass section – Obtaining British books overseas

New and Events

News and events can be found on the home page. 

Comments

If you have any comments about the site please email arts@britishcouncil.org.