The document summarizes research into reminiscence work in public libraries. The research aimed to understand the extent and value of reminiscence work in libraries and possibilities for collaboration. Key findings included that most reminiscence services target residential homes and older adults and involve discussing memories using objects and media. Partnerships can provide benefits but also challenges if objectives differ. Reminiscence work provides social, health, historical, and outreach benefits. Recommendations include defining and promoting reminiscence work, providing training, setting clear objectives for partnerships, and establishing best practices.

1. Carla Laughton Reminiscence work in public libraries

3. methodology

4. resultsExploration of reminiscence work; recommendations The role of public libraries What I will be talking about today...

5. The research project: background Research question What is the extent and value of reminiscence work in public libraries, and what are the possibilities regarding collaboration with archives, museums, and the health and care sectors in this area?

7. Questionnaire

8. InterviewsQualitative content analysis; descriptive statistics

9. What is reminiscence work? “Reminiscence is a technique used in a variety of ways. With people suffering from dementia it is used to stimulate enjoyable memories and thoughts. With older people in general it is used as a stimulator for conversation and discussion, which can lead on to life story writing or other forms of creative writing. Or it can be used as an icebreaker for gathering anecdotal history, which can be captured and stored”. [Questionnaire respondent]

10. What is reminiscence work? “...providing the material that’s going to help people remember and talk about things” “Anything from talking to people over an old newspaper to the active collection of oral history” “Working with people to recall memories - often in therapy mode” “Working with older people to reduce social isolation, and ratify their experiences by holding discussion groups, walks, events etc about local and family history” “...using artefacts/multimedia to trigger memories of topics such as childhood...”

11. What is reminiscence work?

12. Extent: results Question: Has your library ever engaged in reminiscence work?

13. Extent: results Question: What reminiscence services does your library currently provide, or has provided in the past?

14. Audience Most common: Staff/residents of residential/care/nursing homes (21) Older adults (9) Staff/visitors of day centres (9) Any interested individual (8) Sheltered accommodation residents (5) Schools/school children (5) Any local resident (5) Community groups (4) Others: “refugees”, “prisoners”, “community groups”; “stroke support” groups; “women’s groups”; “church groups”; “friendship clubs”; “disability groups”;“Mothers’ Union”; “WI” groups, “retired people”...

15. Possible barriers 84% of questionnaire respondents felt that libraries should undertake reminiscence work, but potential difficulties were also highlighted... Resources - financial barriers, lack of material, time, staff Library staff - lack of willingness/ “staff commitment”, limited time, lack of expertise, lack of confidence, limited or no training Audience – lack of interest, possible negative effects, lack of promotion - Core service? Library remit? Staff remit?

16. Partnership: results Question: Has your library service worked with partners to organise reminiscence services?

17. Partnerships: results

18. Partnerships: results Advantages? 41 out of 55 respondents said ‘Yes’... “...using partners ensures reminiscence sessions reach a wider and more diverse audience” “...it enables a fairly wide range of materials to be available for loan that would be a prohibitive expense for one organisation...” “...we both brought a different range of skills and expertise”.

19. Partnerships: results Disadvantages? 19 out of 55 respondents said ‘Yes’... “Library input may not be recognised or may be marginalised” “...there are issues regarding the different ways in which we work and the different priorities” “....objectives may differ from those of the library/archives service”

21. can encourage interaction, increase self-esteem

22. can promote community cohesion

24. reducing isolation, social exclusion, loneliness, increasing self-esteem, can have a positive impact on health and well-being

26. Learning and education

27. Attributing value to the lives and histories of participants

29. Reaching a wider audience, engaging more with existing users

30. Meeting health and well-being agenda

32. Recommendations Ensure all partners agree on aims and objectives, and see the importance/ value of reminiscence work before beginning work together Ensure good communication throughout collaborations Be aware of potential barriers/difficulties Establish good/best practice, create ‘guidelines’, and communicate this knowledge to other organisations

33. Bibliography Age Exchange. (2010). Age Exchange [Online]. London: Age Exchange. http://www.age-exchange.org.uk/ Cappeliez, P. & O’Rourke, N. (2006). “Empirical Validation of a Model of Reminiscence and Health in Later Life.” Journal of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences, 61B (4), 237-244. Duffy, J. (2007). “Reminiscence work: Breathing Places- Breath in deep.” Public Library Journal, 22 (4), 29. Gibson, F. (2004). “The Northern Ireland Reminiscence Network: promoting social wellbeing by valuing memories.” Health Information and Libraries Journal, 21 (2), 62-65. Hicks et al. (2010). Public library activity in the areas of health and well-being- Final Report. Birmingham: Museums, Libraries and Archives Council. [Online]. Birmingham: MLA. http://research.mla.gov.uk/evidence/documents/library-health-final-report-20-May-2010.pdf Mortensen, H. A. & Nielsen, G. S. (2007). Guidelines for Library Services to Persons with Dementia. The Hague, IFLA Headquarters: IFLA. (IFLA Professional Reports, No. 104).

34. The National Archives. (2009). Archives for the 21st Century- England: consultation draft. [Online]. Kew: The National Archives. http://www.mla.gov.uk/what/strategies/~/media/Files/pdf/2009/archives-for-the-21st-century-england [Accessed 28 March 2010]. National Council on Archives. (2001). Taking Part- An audit of social inclusion work in archives. Sheffield: National Council on Archives [Online]. http://www.nca.org.uk/materials/takingpart.pdf [Accessed 28 March 2010]. Ryder, J. (2004). “Can’t get to the library? Then we’ll come to you. A survey of library services to people in their own homes in the United Kingdom”. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 21 (2), 5-13. Ulvik, S. (2010). ““Why should the library collect immigrants’ memories?” A study of a multicultural memory group at a public library in Oslo.” New Library World, 111(3/4), 154-160. Wong, P. T. P. & Watt, L. M. (1991). “What Types of Reminiscence Are Associated With Successful Aging?” Psychology and Aging, 6 (2), 272-279.

35. Based on a MA Librarianship dissertation, supervised by Barbara Sen, Information School, University of Sheffield Public library and local studies staff contributed to this research via interviews and questionnaires. Acknowledgements

36. Questions? cllaughton@gmail.com