Download - Reminiscence work
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Carla Laughton
Reminiscence work in public libraries
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Research project: • research question• methodology• results
Exploration of reminiscence work; recommendations
The role of public libraries
What I will be talking about today...
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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?
The research project: background
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Methodology:
Mixed methods approach
• Literature review• Questionnaire• Interviews
Qualitative content analysis; descriptive statistics
The research project: background
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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]
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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”
“...using artefacts/multimedia to trigger memories
of topics such as childhood...”
“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”
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Reminiscence work
Social/recreational
Therapy
Oral history
Intergenerational reminiscence work
What is reminiscence work?
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Question: Has your library ever engaged in reminiscence work?
Extent: results
Yes No Don't Know0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
4539
52
Library services' response
Nu
mb
er
of
lib
rary
serv
ices
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Question: What reminiscence services does your library currently provide, or has provided in the past?
Extent: results
Rem
inisce
nce co
llect
ions
Rem
nisc
ence
box
es
Libr
ary se
ssio
ns
Out
reac
h wor
kN/A
Oth
er
Una
nswer
ed0
10
20
3022
15
2622
2
13
4
Reminiscence services offered by libraries
Nu
mb
er
of
lib
rary
serv
ices
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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”...
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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?
Possible barriers
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Question: Has your library service worked with partners to organise reminiscence services?
Partnership: results
Yes No Don't know N/A Unanswered0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
4034
26
04
Library services' response
Nu
mb
er
of
lib
rary
se
rvic
es
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Partnerships: results
02468
101214161820 18
16
11
1
17 1715
5
20
5
8
1
11
Partners
Nu
mb
er
of
pa
rtn
ers
hip
s
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Advantages? 41 out of 55 respondents said ‘Yes’...
Partnerships: results
“...we both brought a different range of
skills and expertise”.
“...it enables a fairly wide range of
materials to be available for loan that would be a prohibitive
expense for one organisation...”
“...using partners ensures reminiscence
sessions reach a wider and more
diverse audience”
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Disadvantages? 19 out of 55 respondents said ‘Yes’...
Partnerships: results
“Library input may not be recognised or may
be marginalised”
“....objectives may differ from those of the library/archives
service”
“...there are issues regarding the different
ways in which we work and the different
priorities”
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Social
• can reduce isolation, social exclusion, loneliness
• can encourage interaction, increase self-esteem
• can promote community cohesion
• entertaining and enjoyable!
Value
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Health and well-being
• can have a positive impact on people suffering from conditions causing memory loss
• can stimulate memories
• reducing isolation, social exclusion, loneliness, increasing self-esteem, can have a positive impact on health and well-being
Value
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Historical value
• Preservation of memories
• Learning and education
• Attributing value to the lives and histories of
participants
Value
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For the library service...
• Opportunity to engage in outreach work
• Reaching a wider audience, engaging more with
existing users
• Meeting health and well-being agenda
• Increasing visibility of library offer
Value
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Provide a working definition of reminiscence work for library staff
Ensure aims and objectives are set out with clarity, and that all library staff are aware of aims and objectives prior to undertaking reminiscence work
Provide relevant training for library staff
Promote library reminiscence services
Recommendations
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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
Recommendations
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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).
Bibliography
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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.
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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