Library services for people with dementia

CHICAGO — Libraries have enormous potential to support people with dementia and their caregivers. Demand for dementia-friendly library services is only likely to increase in the future as the numbers of people affected by dementia rise and there is greater emphasis on community-based care. Published by Facet Publishing and available through the ALA Store, Sarah McNicol’s new book “Supporting People to Live Well with Dementia: A Guide for Library Services” describes how to effectively develop, promote, and evaluate services for this population. It provides readers with an understanding of the different ways in which library customers may be affected by dementia, and an appreciation of some of the ways they can continue to contribute positively to their communities. It then suggests ways in which libraries can better support people with dementia and their caregivers through approaches to customer service, design, resources, reading interventions, online provision, and a range of other activities that promote more positive and inclusive attitudes towards people living with dementia amongst library staff, customers, and communities more widely.

McNicol is a research associate at the Education and Social Research Institute, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. She has worked as an Information Studies researcher since 2000, and has particular interests in information literacy, lifelong learning, and school and children's libraries. She has published widely and has previously guest edited a number of journals, including Library Review and Library Trends.

Facet Publishing, the commercial publishing and bookselling arm of CILIP: the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals, is the leading publisher of books for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library and information professionals worldwide. ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman publishes resources used by library and information professionals, scholars, students, and educators to improve programs and services, build on best practices, enhance pedagogy, share research, develop leadership, and promote advocacy. ALA authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a variety of print and electronic formats. Contact ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman at editionsmarketing@ala.org.