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Waikato District Libraries have recently been awarded Working to be Dementia Friendly status by Alzheimer’s New Zealand.
Last year, Ngaaruawaahia Library coordinator Cheryl Maskell noticed that some regular customers were finding things tricky and wanted to see how the library could better support them.
“Our libraries are more than just places to borrow books,” she says. “They are welcoming community spaces where people connect, learn, share stories, and feel a sense of belonging.”
That’s when she learned about Alzheimer’s New Zealand’s Dementia Friendly programme.
The initiative helps organisations better understand dementia, train their staff and work towards becoming dementia friendly.
“Working towards becoming a Dementia Friendly Library is something I feel very passionate about, both professionally and personally,” Maskell says.
Waikato District Libraries says learning how to support people living with dementia and ensuring its services are welcoming and inclusive for everyone has been a positive journey.
As part of the process, all Customer Delivery staff completed an online dementia awareness course, while team leaders signed a commitment letter on behalf of their teams.
