International library news

Library book therapy to tackle dementia

In the UK, the Reading Agency and the Society of Chief Librarians will introduce a new initiative in libraries in January 2015 to promote ‘book-based therapy’ for dementia sufferers, reports the Bookseller. The initiative follows a similar program called ‘Reading Well: Books on Prescription’, which sees GPs and health professionals prescribe books to patients from their local library. Currently, 7000 prescribers use the program, which has been endorsed by GPs, mental health professionals and government ministers as a ‘helpful community-based mental health service’. Norman Lamb, the UK’s minister for state for care and support, said the new dementia scheme was ‘an exciting development’.

Category: Library news