New Library Book Club Offers Space For Elderly And People With Dementia

Two librarians in Cork have set up a shared reading club for those living with dementia.

This book club will allow people to bring along their favourite books to read out, and socialise together. The group meet up together every fortnight, having first got together in May.

This initiative was set up after library staff received dementia awareness training from Age Friendly Bantry as part of the national Stand Together programme.

On this, librarian Denis Murphy said: “We decided that we weren’t going to just leave it at that, and myself and my colleague Geraldine had a series of conversations with Bantry Hospital consultant geriatrician Brian Carey and our Local Link age friendly co-ordinator to design a suitable service". 

He continued: “We are dealing with a demographic and age group who might not be comfortable reading full books and there is no compunction on people to contribute if they don’t want to. We have found passages and articles from Ireland’s Own very useful for stimulating conversations, either triggering memories of the past or sparking talk of the future". 

“One or two people who declared themselves shy at the start have really come out of their shell". 

"enjoy having a bit of a chat about it"

One person who attends these fortnightly sessions is Jimmy Tobin, who attends with his 82 year old mother Bridie. He said that she loves to share her favourite books with this group.

Bridie loves knitting, which she does six days a week. But she is a keen reader when Sunday comes around. 

“We select our reading materials in advance and enjoy having a bit of a chat about it,” said Jimmy, a former gardener who also previously worked in a local bookshop", she said. “She loves to source pieces of interest in Ireland’s Own, but this week she is reading a piece about Bantry House from the Great Houses of Ireland book". 

“Thankfully Mam doesn’t have dementia. The dynamic of the group is very relaxed and natural, and the staff are very caring... We go every month, but over the winter, when we lose the fine days, we will be here every two weeks". 

The group has been recognised at the National Public Libraries Open Day which takes place this Saturday. Members and non-members have been encouraged to attend their local library to explore the services that are on offer.