15 – 22 May 2023 is Dementia Action Week. In preparation for this important week, we’re taking the opportunity to highlight the resources available from Warwickshire Libraries.

Warwickshire Libraries is free to join, either by visiting a Warwickshire Library branch, or you can join online:  https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/jointhelibrary 

Concessionary Library Card

Did you know that carers are entitled to a concessionary library card from Warwickshire Libraries?  
A concessionary library card will enable you to take 10 talking books, such as Audiobooks and Playaways, and 20 physical book loans. Speak to a member of library staff to change your card to a concessionary library card. 

Home Library Service

If you are unable to visit a Warwickshire public library and if no one can make a visit to a Warwickshire public library on your behalf, there is also a Home Library Service that can supply library resources to your home address. Carers are entitled to sign up to the Home Library Service.  
To apply to use this service please contact the home library and mobile library service:  

Tel: 01926 851031  

Email: mobilelibraryservice@warwickshire.gov.uk  

Or visit the Home Library Service website: 
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/homelibraryservice

eLibrary 

Once you are a member of Warwickshire Libraries there are lots of FREE services that you can access. If you look on the library website, there is a lot of information. All the apps can be downloaded for free. 


eLibrary: eBooks, eAudio books, eMagazines, eNewspapers and eMusic (warwickshire.gov.uk)  


Borrowbox is an eBook and eAudio book loaning service, and this can be used on lots of devices such as smart phone, tablets and computers.  On our website there are some help videos to get you started.   

Pressreader is our eNewspaper offer with papers from all over the world as well as the UK. There is a text to speech facility as well as being able to change the text size. This site also has lots of magazines.  

Libby is our magazine site. Here you can read literally thousands of magazines including many popular UK magazines. Again, the text size can be enlarged to make it easier to read.  Naxos is our Music streaming service, mostly classical but lots of choice. Again, log in with your library card and choose from 2,691,122 tracks as of June 2022.

If you need more help, drop an email to the library enquiry team who have a link on the webpage, and someone will get back to you. If you include a contact number one of the team will telephone you and will be happy to talk you through setting up any of the above apps.    

libraryenquiryteam@warwickshire.gov.uk.  

Large Print and Spoken Word

Warwickshire Libraries also provide physical copies of Large Print and Spoken Word resources. The Spoken Word collection includes the Playaway devices, over a thousand fiction and non-fiction titles you can loan. The Playaway device requires a AAA battery and your own headset, which are both not supplied with the Playaway device. There are also audiobooks on CD. The library website has links to the collections.  
  
Large Print, Spoken Word and Braille collections  


Playlist for Life

Playlist for Life are a charity who believe a playlist of personally meaningful music can help people living with dementia. You can find a Playlist for Life resource pack in each of our libraries to help get you started in making a playlist. 
 
Find out more about Playlist for Life: 
https://www.playlistforlife.org.uk/ 

Pictures for Life and Memory Suitcases

Warwickshire Libraries hold Pictures for Life books which have pictures and texts which can help stimulate meaningful conversations with people living with dementia. Memory suitcases are also available, these are specially developed memory suitcases to help support people living with dementia and their carers’.  

For more information, please email libraryenquiryteam@warwickshire.gov.uk    We also stock the Reading Well Collection, which includes books about dementia, mental health and understanding long term health conditions.  
Reading Well for Dementia Collection


Tablet Loans

The tablet loan scheme is available from Warwickshire Libraries for free to all adult library members.  The Lenovo M10 tablets are available for a six-week loan period and come pre-loaded with a selection of apps.  Internet data is included and there is regular support from our library IT scheme.  Find out more at your local library, call 01926 414926 or email youcanonline@warwickshire.gov.uk 

If you need help with anything IT related on a computer or your own device, Warwickshire Libraries provides free IT help sessions.  Visit your local Library for more information. 

For more information about all digital services, you can also visit http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/youcanonline 
 

We look forward to welcoming you on your next Warwickshire library visit.   
 
Find out more about Warwickshire Libraries on our website: 
https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries 

Find out more about Dementia Action Week on the Alzheimer’s Society’s website:
https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-involved/dementia-action-week