The Healthy Ireland at Your Library service is a new initiative available across the library network nationwide. The programme will enhance current health information in public libraries by providing new book stock, e-books & e-audiobooks and e-magazines on health and wellbeing, a wider selection of health information for all users, and through a service delivered by trained library staff for this programme. Talks, discussions and workshops will be offered in library services with a focus on physical health, mental health and health literacy.

Healthy Ireland at your Library looks to complement, support and expand existing programmes in public libraries and to provide reinforcement of the Healthy Ireland national framework throughout all communities and developing a locally cohesive, integrated and sustainable approach which is standard in all local authorities.

For more information please contact your local branch.

ACTIVATING the People of Waterford!

Waterford Sports Partnership and Waterford City and County Libraries have joined forces to provide you with a new and exciting physical activity opportunity. You can now borrow a set of activator poles from four designated libraries in Waterford: Lismore, Dungarvan, Kilmacthomas and Ardkeen.

ACTIVATOR Poles are an adaption of a Nordic Walking poles and have been developed by Canadian Therapists to promote balance and improve mobility. A full suite of support resources has been created to support you on how to use a borrowed set of activator poles.

You can pick up a simple explanation leaflet in the library or watch our simplified support video on your smartphone or tablet device here:

To be eligible to borrow a set of activator poles you must activate a FREE library membership. Full support will be provided by library staff to help you to activate a membership. If you’re already a library member no further action is required just pop into the library.

There’s never been a better chance to explore paths, trails, and greenways in Waterford with a set of Activator Poles borrowed from a local library.

Starting Healthy Habits for your Family

safefood hosted its first event in partnership with Libraries Ireland this February – a talk with experts Dr. Colman Noctor and Dr. Aileen McGloin about starting healthy habits.

The event recording is now available to watch below:

The START campaign is a public health awareness campaign from safefood, the HSE and Healthy Ireland (ROI), the Public Health Agency and Department of Health (NI). The campaign has been designed to help parents and guardians start their kids on the way to a healthier life by providing practical advice and useful resources. For more information search Make A Start or go to https://www.safefood.net/start.

safefood is the government body responsible for the promotion of food safety and healthy eating on the island of Ireland. For more information visit https://www.safefood.net

Coping with Grief and Loss

As part of the Healthy Ireland at Your Library Video Series, Clare McKenna talks to Mr. Breffni McGuinness, National Bereavement Development Specialist (workplace & community), National Hospice Foundation on Coping with Grief and Loss.

Advice for Parents/Guardians of Young Children

As part of the Healthy Ireland at Your Library Video Series, Clare McKenna talks to Mr. Peadar Maxwell, Senior Psychologist, HSE on Advice for Parents/ Guardians of Young Children.

Advice for Parents/Guardians of Adolescents

As part of the Healthy Ireland at Your Library Video Series, Clare McKenna talks to Mr. Peadar Maxwell, Senior Psychologist, HSE on Advice for Parents/ Guardians of Adolescents.

Emotional Eating

As part of the Healthy Ireland at Your Library Video Series, Clare McKenna talks to Dr. Mary Hynes, Senior Psychologist, HSE on Emotional Eating.

Short Video Series on Tips for Coping with Covid and other Stressful Situations

E1: ‘Understanding Emotions’ by Dr. Daniel Flynn, Principal Psychology Manager, Cork Kerry Mental Health Services.

E2: “Understanding our States of Mind for better health” with Dr Daniel Flynn, Principal Psychology Manager, Kerry Mental Health Services.

E:3 “Daily Mindfulness for Better Health” with Dr Daniel Flynn, Principal Psychology Manager, Kerry Mental Health Services.

E:4 “Relationship Mindfulness for Better Health” with Dr Daniel Flynn, Principal Psychology Manager, Kerry Mental Health Services.

E:5 “Coping with Distress for Better Health” with Dr Daniel Flynn, Principal Psychology Manager, Kerry Mental Health Services.

Healthy Ireland at Your Library Collection

This health and wellbeing book collection has over 100 titles covering the three Healthy Ireland themes – Eat Well, Think Well & Be Well.

Each book was specially evaluated nationally to provide individuals and families with reliable, accessible information to manage their general health and wellbeing.

The collection includes books for adults, as well as children and young adults. The collection is available to borrow in every local library free of charge. You can also reserve the books on the national online catalogue.

For more information and to see if there are any additions to the
collection, go to www.librariesireland.ie or drop in to your local
library.