If you are looking to improve your health and wellbeing, your local library is a great place to start.
Our libraries help people help themselves by providing access to:
- accredited health information
- health signposting
- reading programmes promoting learning and literacy
- social and recreational activities
- volunteering opportunities that keep people active
Self-care toolkits
The toolkits are a portable collection of items, books and activities to encourage young people, aged 11 and over, to practise self-care and enhance mental wellbeing.
They can be reserved and borrowed from any North Yorkshire library by individuals and groups, for use at home, in the library or out in the community. Contents include books from the shelf help reading well collection, sketch pads, colouring pencils, fidget toys, origami and information on support organisations.
Self-care toolkits can be borrowed free of charge for three weeks using a North Yorkshire library card.
Wellbeing bags
Wellbeing bags are a portable collection of items, books and activities to encourage people to practise self-care and enhance mental wellbeing. They can be reserved and borrowed from any North Yorkshire library by individuals and groups, for use at home, in the library or out in the community.
Contents include resources and information such as colouring, recipes, puzzles, self-help books, a relaxation CD, and health information and advice.
Wellbeing bags can be borrowed free of charge for three weeks using a North Yorkshire library card.
Reading Well Books on Prescription
This scheme helps people manage their own health and wellbeing through recommended self-help books endorsed by health experts. You can be recommended a title by a health professional, or you can visit your local library and take a book out yourself. The titles can be searched using our library catalogue or you can ask at your local library to request them free of charge.
Currently five book lists are available:
- Books on prescription for common mental health conditions
- Books on prescription for dementia
- Books on prescription for young people's mental health
- Books on prescription for long-term conditions
- Books on reading well for children
Dementia support
The library service aims to support the health and wellbeing of those living with dementia, raise awareness and understanding, promote self-help and provide information and signposting to enable people to access support.
All North Yorkshire libraries are dementia friendly and we provide training for staff and volunteers in dementia awareness. We work with partners to host memory cafes and sporting memories sessions and loan reminiscence collections to carers and groups supporting people with dementia.
Our libraries are also Playlist for Life help points, able to provide information and support to bring the power of personal music to people living with dementia.
Events and promotions
Our libraries host a number of health and wellbeing activities and roadshows throughout the year, linking in with local and national initiatives. They are a great way to find out more about what you can do to improve your own health, or those close to you, and meet and talk to professionals in a less formal environment.
Social and recreational activities
There are a wide range of regular activities taking place in libraries from poetry and reading groups, to knit and natter, deaf café and coffee and chat. Ask at your local library or keep up to date with your local library’s Facebook page to find out what is happening in your area.
Home library service
We deliver books, audiobooks, music CDs, DVDs and information to the homes of people who find it difficult to get to their local library.
Teams of volunteers deliver the books once a fortnight. You can also arrange for your own volunteer to collect your books from the library, or we can choose books to suit your tastes and keep them ready for collection.
You may be eligible for the free home delivery service if you cannot visit the library or carry books because of ill health or disability, or if you are a carer. We deliver to people who live in residential and nursing homes, too.
Items that can be delivered
Most items you would borrow from a library can be delivered, including:
- books and audiobooks
- music CDs
- DVDs
- large print books
- children's books
- information
How the service works
Once you have expressed an interest, a volunteer or staff member will visit you at home and:
- help you join the library if you are not already a member
- discuss authors and genres you like or dislike
- ask if you prefer ordinary print, large print or audiobooks
- draw up a detailed reader profile, which we will use to choose books matching your interests
Books will be delivered to you every two weeks on an agreed day, either morning or afternoon. You can keep the books as long as you need and there are no fines or overdue charges. You can also ask your volunteers for specific titles or authors.
All our delivery volunteers have been checked by the disclosure and barring service.
How to join the home library service
You may use the service on a temporary basis, such as only in winter or when recovering from an illness or operation.
To join the home library service, contact us.
Volunteering
We are looking for volunteers to help deliver books and information to people using our home library service. See our library volunteers page for more details.