Clutha District Libraries is a network of five community libraries in Balclutha, Milton, Lawrence, Tapanui, and Owaka. Each is focused on the delivery of a wide range of community wellbeing services to meet the needs and aspirations of their local communities.

We understand the COVID-19 situation has exacerbated many of the challenges already faced by older folk, such as isolation and the increasing move by government departments and businesses to shift their services to digital formats. But we also appreciate that everyone’s situation is different and that our staff don’t have all the answers, so we actively seek to engage with people on a co-design and/or partnership basis.

We want everyone to feel welcome and comfortable within our facilities and to have the opportunity to use our spaces and resources in whatever way best meets their needs. We’ve been slowly increasing our levels of community engagement since the end of the COVID-19 restrictions but appreciate that it takes time to build (or re-establish) relationships, especially as we know that many of our more vulnerable seniors are still quite hesitant about venturing out.

Within this context, the following points outline some of our recent activities that have either been driven by individual customer needs and/or developed in collaboration with the community:

· Digital Device Assistance: Digital inclusion is extremely difficult for many of our seniors. From trying to keep in touch with family or access a service that is only available online, our staff provides one-to-one assistance for any issues with phones, tablets, iPads, etc. People can pop into a library at any time for digital device assistance.

· Digital Device Assistance in the Home: For people who are unable to get to the library and don’t have other support, a staff member will go to people’s homes and help with their digital device enquiry. Common examples of this type of assistance include installing an Alexia to access the Blind Foundations Low Vision audiobooks and other applications. Home visits also include regular book deliveries for the housebound, including local rest homes.

· Dementia collection: As a result of a number of queries regarding resources for those with dementia and other related conditions, our libraries have introduced a small collection of specially developed books and jigsaws.

· Most of our libraries have Book Chat Groups that have been set up and are run by the community. The library’s support these through their spaces, book collections, and a cuppa!

Community Co-design in Tokomairiro

A lovely example of a successful long-standing community co-design programme is ‘Cosy Yarns’ at our Milton Community Library. This was born out of a group of senior library customers wanting a neutral space to gather and chat over a stitching project.

The group has since widened in scope to include migrant women keen to practice their English. After two Sri Lankan women approached staff for English Language opportunities, they were asked if they enjoyed crafting. They did and were introduced to the Cosy Yarns group.

This simple example succeeds on a number of levels, it’s community-led, intergenerational, provides shared learning opportunities, and most importantly it provides the connections needed to support social inclusion.

Exploring new transportation in Tapanui

On a more active note, the Tapanui team invited some older e-bike owners to come and talk to prospective owners about their experiences of researching, purchasing, and riding their bikes.

A local business that sells them kindly lent a bike for display and sent their cycle mechanic along to answer any queries on the day. This event was developed from a discussion with a customer about her new bike, and we realised how many people are interested but just needed a bit more information before taking the plunge into a new activity.

Clutha Heritage Digital Repository

Over the last 18 months, the libraries have developed the Clutha Heritage Digital Repository at heritage.cluthadc.govt.nz to preserve and make the district’s heritage available online. This repository is entirely modelled on the principles of collaboration and community-generated content.

To facilitate the sustained development and growth of this website, the community libraries each have a ‘Digihub’, whereby community groups and individuals can scan and upload their own documentary heritage (including the transfer of content from photographic slides and videotapes).

Our Community Heritage Coordinator can also assist people wanting to share their oral histories.

Digital support for the future

Digital support is one of the most extensively used services provided by our libraries (we assisted almost 3,000 people, mainly seniors to get their vaccine passes during the mandated period). Within our large geographical district, we also know that in addition to digital literacy, connectivity is a major issue for many seniors through lack of transport or digital access at home.

With this in mind, a key focus for us in the new year is to work with organisations such as Age Concern Otago to co-design programmes and services that will better support the social and digital wellbeing of our older folk.

Debbie Duncan, Clutha District Libraries

Free: 0800 801 350

www.cluthaNZ.com

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