Home Library Working Group Meeting

Monday 4 November 2019 Lithgow Library. No Chair. Minutes Vickey Foggin.

Minutes

Sharon Lewis, Sharon Tollard, and Cathy M?, Lithgow Library

Jeff is a person in his 50s with early onset dementia and Kaz is his carer.
Jeff notes that good support is available through the NDIS but NDIS clients really need a committed advocate to navigate the system for them to get the client access to all the support they are eligible for.
Jeff recommends that public libraries provide a good selection of current resources on dementia because it is the most common disability for those over 60 and impacts a lot of people. Says Bathurst Library has a good collection he found useful, if you want to check their catalogue.
Suggests obtaining some resources in multiple formats (TB, LP)because reading is often difficult for people with dementia.
They recommend Dementia Australia's free e-course called Dementia Friends which is available here: Dementia Friends e-course. It can help you understand what dementia is like and how best to assist clients with dementia.
Some libraries are now offering dementia friendly programs. They recommend Woollahra's Don't Forget Fridays, Richmond Tweed's Dementia Friends, Shellharbour's Understanding Dementia, and Kiama's Dementia Friendly Kiama programs.
They also recommend that people with dementia join the Dementia Alliance, which is a free advocacy and information program. Dementia Alliance International

Procedure Development - Home Library Service and Emergencies
Mylee Joseph at SLNSW is developing an issues paper about Home Library Services and emergencies.
A draft of the document can be found here: issues_paper_-_home_library_service_and_emergencies_draft.docx
In discussion, the HLSWG members suggested the following additions to the document:

Sexual assault or harassment
violence from client or client family members
safety of the property i.e. hoarding situations, collapsing front verandah, dangerous dog
delivery vehicle breakdown or accident
drug use or drug manufacturing in the home
suggested age of volunteers/trainees and how to train/debrief for and after an incident. for example, work experience students may be minors and may be exposed to nudity or sexual harassment, or younger volunteers might violate client privacy by posting things to social media.
recommend training for conflict descalation, self defense, and duty of care.

If you have any feedback or suggestions, please email to Mylee <mylee.joseph@sl.nsw.gov.au>

3 February 2020 - Ryde - will include preliminary planning for Seniors in Focus Seminar in November 2020 and a presentation from Renee Kastanias, Communications Manager, NSW Ageing and Disability Commission about the Ageing and Disability Abuse Helpline.
4 May 2020 - State Library of NSW - introduction to Indyreads ebook & eaudio app provided by State Library.
3 August 2020 - Oran Park - TBD
2 November 2020 - Newcastle - will include preparation for doing a benchmarking survey in 2021. Previous survey was in 2016.

Vickey at Ryde has created a guide to help you search for items a client has not borrowed yet in Spydus 10. boolean_queries_for_unborrowed_items.docx
The HLS Service Review Template has been updated and can be used as a guideline when reviewing your own service. HLS Service Reviews

Penrith and Camden loan out ipads preloaded with eresources in the Libby app. Penrith used the same ID and passowrd for 5 devices and want to note this was not great because if people took photos they autouploaded to iCloud and were shared across all 5 devices and someone took a photo that was a bit inappropriate. You can disable this setting, but it reverts every time the iPad has a software update.
Wollongong now allows for members to nominate family and friends to pick up reserved items, which enables some people to remain independent of the home library service.
Campbelltown/Camden host a program called Cafe Connect, which is a small community information expo hosted in the library. Groups like Probus, Meals on Wheels, Pet Therapy, University of the 3rd Age had information tables. The councils organised a community transport bus to collect people from nursing homes and retirement villages and bring them to the library.
There have been changes to the Seniors Card and more people are eligible. Some libraries have been offering information sessions on this.
Don't forget the Seniors Festival is in February!
The Seniors in Focus Seminar 2020 will be in November, date TBD. A possible theme would be Dementia in Focus. If you have any ideas or things you would like to see, please bring them to the February HLSWG meeting or email Vickey Foggin at <vfoggin@ryde.nsw.gov.au>

Tour of Lithgow Library. Meeting concluded at 1pm. Next meeting will be 3 February 2020 at Ryde Library.