Northeast Ohio Regional Library System

New “Memory Care Collection” at Hubbard Public Library

Hubbard Public Library (HPL) has a long-term and serious mission and commitment to continue to evolve to meet changing and/or unmet needs in its community. Recently, another example of this mission and commitment to the community has been developed and implemented by the Adult Librarian and Supervisor of Adult Services, Amanda Balla, and her staff. Specifically, this new innovative, timely programming and initiative that she has led and implemented at the HPL is programming (for the staff and for the public) concerning dementia awareness and relevant topics.

First, a speaker/trainer from Dementia Friends Ohio/Ohio Council for Cognitive Health/Dementia Friendly Ohio presented a public session on information on `Dementia Friends, What is Dementia and How to become a Dementia Friend.’ She also presented to library staff on ‘Dementia training, creating a dementia-friendly environment at a public library and resources that a library can make available to patrons. And, very importantly, Amanda is following up on this programming initiative by introducing and making available at the library well-researched materials and activities relevant to dementia, memory care and related intergenerational/family resources. These materials are available from the library collections and include books in a “Memory Care Collection Series” designed and produced specifically for persons with cognitive/memory issues and their care partners, interactive games (e.g., including the medically-recommended OuiSi® series of intergenerational and family game sets for those with dementia and their families/care partners.

Most recently, “Memory Care Kits” with focused activities and resources as designed and recommended in “The Dementia Inclusive Public Library Guide,” a new, free resource from the Ohio Council for Cognitive Health. This Guide provides a roadmap for public libraries to lead, and to unite with, community allies in the reshaping of the dementia narrative have been added to HPL resources for patrons and community members to check out. The “Memory Care Kits” now available for check-out from HPL include “Colorku, The Color Sudoku: “Big Letter Bananagrams,” a Sock Matching Kit, and “Boom Again: Replay the ‘50s, ‘60s & 70s Game.” These kits all include a game or activity and associated accessories (e.g., sock matching kit includes a collapsible basket and several pairs of socks for matching), an informational binder and brain game activities which patrons checking these kits out can keep.

These new resources and their introduction and availability at HPL are due to Amanda’s and her staff’s vision, to their commitment to care for and understanding of this community, and their dedication as library workers.