reminiscence work

Carla Laughton

Reminiscence work in public libraries

Research project: • research question• methodology• results

Exploration of reminiscence work; recommendations

The role of public libraries

What I will be talking about today...

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

Methodology:

Mixed methods approach

• Literature review• Questionnaire• Interviews

Qualitative content analysis; descriptive statistics

The research project: background

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]

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”

Reminiscence work

Social/recreational

Therapy

Oral history

Intergenerational reminiscence work

What is reminiscence work?

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

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

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”...

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

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

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

Advantages? 41 out of 55 respondents said ‘Yes’...


“...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”

Disadvantages? 19 out of 55 respondents said ‘Yes’...


“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”

Social

• can reduce isolation, social exclusion, loneliness

• can encourage interaction, increase self-esteem

• can promote community cohesion

• entertaining and enjoyable!

Value

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

Historical value

• Preservation of memories

• Learning and education

• Attributing value to the lives and histories of

participants

Value

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

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

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

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

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.

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

Questions?

[email protected]