THREE libraries across the Bromsgrove district are the first in the county to become members of the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA).
The accolade, which has been awarded to Bromsgrove, Rubery and Catshill Libraries, comes after all staff members completed Dementia Friends training over the last 12 months.
Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Friends programme is the biggest ever initiative to change people’s perceptions of dementia and works towards transforming the way the nation thinks, acts and talks about the condition.
The DAA membership acknowledges the Library Service’s commitment to welcoming all people into the library, including those with dementia and to tailoring their service to meet individual customer needs.
Councillor Lucy Hodgson, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Communities, said: “Health and wellbeing is one of the five key priorities for the Library Service so it is particularly important for us to be members of national organisations such as Dementia Action Alliance.
“Through the membership there is recognition that we are committed to welcoming people with dementia into our libraries and supporting relatives and carers.”
Library members can borrow from the dementia book collection which includes books with information and advice on living well with dementia, support for relatives and carers and personal stories.
The collection is part of the Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme introduced by the Reading Agency and supported by a number of health partners including the Department of Health IAPT Programme and Royal College of General Practitioners.
Also included in the Books on Prescription scheme are books to help give added value and guidance to people of all ages with difficulties such as stress, anxiety, depression and sleeplessness.
Borrowers may be introduced to the book titles in the scheme via their doctor, but they can also find out about more about them by talking to library staff, browsing the collection in libraries or browsing the library catalogue.
All library members are free to borrow any of the titles in the scheme for up to three weeks at a time, there is also a free reservation facility on the titles in the scheme.
Coun Hodgson added: “We are really keen to make sure the local community is aware of the support provided through our libraries including our Books on Prescription collection.”
The aim over the next 12 months is for the rest of the county’s libraries to also achieve membership.
