We have signed up to the Alzheimer's Society's Dementia Friendly Communities initiative, working with colleagues to ensure the library is a welcoming place for those living with dementia.

The majority of our staff and volunteers are Dementia Friends so we can all better understand and support those living with dementia.

Any changes to our library buildings are mindful of the needs of those living with dementia and we work towards being as inclusive as possible to all members of the community.

Reading well for dementia

Our Reading Well collection for dementia recommends books you might find helpful if you have dementia, are caring for someone with dementia or would like to find out more about the condition.

The books include personal stories and information and advice for relatives and carers. The collection was collated by health professionals, library staff and those with lived experience of dementia.

All these books are available from Kirklees Libraries - ask at your local library about specific titles.

For a full list of titles, please see Reading Well: Dementia .

Selected titles are also available to borrow as e-books and audiobooks. To see our collection, please see Kirklees Overdrive .

Pictures to share

Our Pictures to Share collection contains picture books, each picture enhanced by poetry or prose. The pictures are simple, clear and often (but not always) colourful. There are no confusing backgrounds and no content that is difficult to interpret.

They are aimed at people living with mid to late-stage dementia.

These books prompt conversations and help carers or relatives to spend meaningful time together. They can help calm agitation and relieve depression, boredom & isolation.

They also encourage reminiscence and can be enjoyed when a person can no longer speak.

They are slightly bigger than A4 and titles include:

• A sporting life
• Family life
• Shopping
• A world of work
• The seaside
• Proverbs and sayings
• Pets in pictures
• In the garden

The books are available to borrow from our libraries and also via our Home Service Library.

Dementia grab bags

We have a collection of 'grab bags' available, each containing 6 Pictures to Share titles. These can be borrowed as a resource pack by health care professionals or carers.

If you want to borrow the grab bags or find out more, then please email frontline.services@kirklees.gov.uk

Dementia support for Kirklees residents

Information, advice and support for people in Kirklees affected by dementia or memory loss can be found at: Dementia support in Kirklees.