Survey highlights Learning Outcomes from public library use
Survey highlights Learning Outcomes from public library use
Bunclody library readers get what they need from their book selections. Readers said that they benefit very significantly in areas of entertainment, learning new facts, challenging attitudes and motivational support. Not surprisingly learning new facts was more significant for non-fiction books as was the challenge to their established attitudes, but the entertainment factor was high for both categories of reading. Every fourth non-fiction reader said their reading helped them develop new skills and every fourth reader also said their reading helped them plan for the future. These are some of the findings from a survey of adult readers where the contributors assessed their own general learning outcomes from use of the collections in Bunclody library. It provided important qualitative comment to complement the number-counting traditionally used to measure library performance. The survey was adapted from a project developed in
- Local Memories collected for 11th Storytelling Festival (PDF Document, 50 KB)
Mind Yourself: Mental health and well-being:
Information and self-help scheme
press release press release press release press release
MIND YOURSELF
Launch of
mental health and well-being information & self-help scheme
in
Mind Yourself! is a scheme to promote mental health and well-being of individuals and families in
Books cover areas such as stress, d epression, anxiety and low self-esteem. Parenting difficulties such as sibling rivalry & bullying are covered also. Books for children as well as adults are provided.
Borrowing from the library is free. All the books & DVDs are recommended by the staff of the HSE’s Wexford Psychology Unit.
“The Mind Yourself scheme is useful to everyone looking for assistance for themselves or a family member, as well as for people working in the community with people in need”, said Pauline Bryan from the HSE. “So the number of potential users of the scheme is vast. It also includes doctors, other health professionals, community workers, voluntary groups, teachers, employers and the clergy.”
Approximately a quarter of all patients attending GPs’ surgeries in
Also, for all the people who have not yet sought help and who are struggling alone with depression, anxiety or other issues covered by the Mind Yourself scheme, there are now excellent materials available for free from local public libraries.
Wexford Library Service is providing several copies of all the books, and there are over 100 titles recommended.
Launching the project, which is a shared initiative of the public library service and the HSE, Wexford County Council Chairman, Councillor Anna Fenlon noted how the Mind Yourself scheme feeds off the sometimes un-stated strengths of the public library service. “People trust their local public library. It is responsive, accessible and a safe place,” said Fenlon. “The public library is a perfect partner for a project such as Mind Yourself which needs privacy, discretion and a non-judgemental support for people and their families who are managing in difficult times at present.”
The Mind Yourself mental health and well-being support scheme has been developed over the past 12 months. It is modelled on international best practice. It will be monitored by the HSE and the library service and will be developed further in response to public need.
END
More information from
- Wexford Libraries : Fionnuala Hanrahan 087 2070551 : Hazel Percival 053 91 21637
- HSE, Wexford Adult Mental Health Service Sheila Kissane 0876297087 and Tanya Harris 087 9128968
Learn online at Wexford libraries
LEARN ONLINE AT WEXFORD PUBLIC LIBRARIES
Wexford Library Service and FAS are collaborating to offer online courses free of charge for those who would like to improve their computer and administrative skills. A range of courses will be offered in 4 libraries in Co. Wexford from late September including ECDL, Microsoft Word and Excel and finance fundamentals.
FAS recognises that using the public library network opens up access to more participants and provides a welcoming and open environment where people can learn at their own pace. The ELearning at the Library project which is supported by An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, is now ongoing in over 60 libraries all over
Introductory computer classes will allow participants to set up an e-mail account, navigate the internet and learn the basics of computing with a FAS trainer. More advance e-learners can complete certified Microsoft Office and ECDL courses. Further online courses include introductions to Accounting, Business Maths, Digital Media and Project Management
- Learn Online at Wexford Libraries (Word Document, 21 KB)

