Cork County Council Library and Arts Service has launched a new initiative that will help to establish book clubs for older people in Nursing Homes and those attending Day Care Centres around Cork County. The new free service was launched this week at Amberley Nursing Home and Cottages, one of the many centres that receive regular visits from the Council’s Mobile Library Service.
Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr. Joe Carroll welcomed the initiative, “The new Book Club service is a welcome addition to the range of services offered by Cork County Council for older persons. Our libraries host regular talks on a variety of topics such as health and local history, as well as providing a space for knitting and craft groups to meet. There are so many benefits associated with being part of a book club, including making new friends, keeping your brain active and young and the joy of discovering new books. I encourage Nursing Homes and Day Care Centres across the county to avail of this wonderful new service.”
In recognition of different needs and preferences, multiple formats of books are available to choose from. These include audiobooks on CD, large print titles, quick reads (adult novellas, from popular authors with buff coloured paper for glare avoidance) and short story collections. It is also possible to download an e-book or e-audio book title through the “Borrowbox” app where font size can be customised to the readers preference.
Support will be available for activities personnel in Nursing Homes and Day Care Centres to help organise and set up the book club for their patrons. Books can be delivered by the Mobile Library, as part of its schedule or collected from the local library.
Tadhg Daly, CEO of Nursing Homes Ireland, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, stating, “We are delighted to partner with Cork County Library for the launch of this Book Club. With this initiative, we are bringing the local community closer to our nursing homes, ensuring that everyone has access to enriching experiences, regardless of age. Supporting this launch during NHI National Nursing Homes Week is especially meaningful, with over 250 nursing homes participating in the celebrations. It is a perfect opportunity to honour the vibrant lives of residents and the dedicated staff who care for them. We look forward to growing and strengthening this wonderful initiative for residents and encourage all local councils to consider similar partnerships, recognising the potential to strengthen community bonds. Nursing Home residents look forward to the regular mobile library visits and we look forward to seeing such initiatives rolled out across the country in the future.”
Cork County Council’s Library and Arts Service currently provides books for 75 Book Clubs around the county with the majority meeting monthly in a local branch library. It also provides books for a number of private book clubs as well as 70 children’s book clubs.
For further details and information, including a list of available titles, contact or call 021 4546499.
The launch of the Cork County Council’s Mobile Library Book Clubs for Nursing Homes and Day Care Centres Service took place at Amberley Home and Retirement Cottages, Sheepwalk, Fermoy.
Included are Cllr. Deirdre O’Brien, Deputising for the Mayor of the County of Cork; Emer O’Brien, County Librarian; Liz Downes, Older Peoples Council, Emer Collins, Book Clubs organiser; Claire Roche, Age Friendly Co-ordinator, Cork County Council; Kevin Deegan and Joe Holland, Nursing Homes Ireland; Neethu Thomas, Director of Nursing, Amberley Home; Gillian O’Shea, Amberley Home; Clíona Ahern, Library Assistant, Cork County Council; Claire Roche, Age Friendly Co-Ordinator and Christine O’Sullivan, Cork County Council Arts and Library Services.
Pic: Brian Lougheed
