Issue - meetings

To receive evidence from Diana Edmonds, Assistant Director Culture, Libraries and Learning.

Diana Edmonds (Assistant Director Culture, Libraries and Learning) gave evidence and answered questions on the work currently undertaken by the Libraries services.

There are significant pockets of libraries usage by Older People throughout the borough.  For example, Tottenham, Coombes Croft, Highgate and Muswell Hill.

It is important that facilities in libraries are ‘easy’ for Older People e.g. accessible, toilet facilities, chairs the correct height.

Older People’s capabilities are taken on board when ordering stock, for example large print and cassettes.

IT training courses take place in all libraries.  IT is an important aspect of many Older People’s lives as it can be used for social interaction, staying in contact with family, doing on-line shopping etc.  Prevents Older People from being isolated.  There are large keyboards to assist.

Special Services include a mobile library for those who are housebound.  Information on these people is kept on a database and referrals come through Adult Services and by self referral.  Once a person has been referred they are visited by a staff member to discuss their requirements, they are then visited once a month with new material.

Noted that this service could link up with Meals on Wheels who are aware of housebound people, and also by visiting day centres to increase awareness of the service.

Information and learning include ‘Happy Heart days’.  These are sessions which aim to help people keep mobile.

Good relationship with Age Concern, who can book courses for Older People.

Drop-ins, coffee mornings and other social interaction settings are being encouraged.

Link with the Access Pathways Project currently being undertaken in Adult, Culture and Community Services.

Newspapers are supplied taking into consideration the desires of the local community, for example Cypriot papers.  Books are also supplied in community languages.

Discussion points

Libraries are more than providers of books; they are also a good contact point with residents in the borough.

Noted that libraries are also an access to warmth for older people.  This is especially the case in some areas of the west of the borough, for example Highgate, where older people are often equity rich and cash poor.

Diana Edmonds will speak to teams at the Haringey Teaching Primary Care Trust to ensure that they know what services are provided.

Not all libraries are currently accessible for older people, for example Highgate does not have accessible toilets.

There is currently no written ‘plan’ in place to link libraries with the wider well-being agenda.

There are currently two well-being suites (Marcus Garvey and Wood Green Library).  These run sessions such as Massage where residents are also taught massage techniques linked to their well-being.

Noted that aspects of life-long learning could be improved.

Action points

What are the numbers of Older People that use the services provided by libraries?