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Thanks to a collaboration between Compassionate Communities NI and Libraries NI a new initiative was launched today in Newry Library aiming to make the conversation easier around topics such as death and dying.
The ‘Death Positive Library’ at the library will offer a range of books on a table relating to terminal illness, caregiving, dying bereavement and death preparedness. The library will enable people to explore ideas and thoughts on the subject from a range of different perspectives.
What is a Death Positive Library?
A Death Positive Library provides a range of innovative activities that appeal to communities, aimed at removing the barriers of talking about death and dying. The first activity to launch the death positive library is a dedicated bookshelf. Other initiatives include Advance Care Planning Café events, workshops and the arts based interactive ‘Before I die wall’.
Why do we need a death positive library?
Studies indicate that more than 70% of us avoid talking about death and dying. We live in a death phobic society and yet we will face our own death one day. We will be impacted by death and dying multiple times as carers and as people living with bereavement. As a result of our reluctance to reclaim the ‘D’ word, those who are dying and those closed to them, feel social isolated and lonely.
Compassionate Communities NI works to open conversation and encourages people to talk about what matters to them now and at the end of life.
Conor McKenna, Libraries NI Area Manager said; “Libraries are a central, welcoming space in the community and I hope these books will encourage people to challenge their attitudes, talk more openly on death and dying and help remove some of the barriers associated with the subject. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Compassionate Communities NI for their very kind donation and to all those who came along to launch the collection today. The collection is available to borrow for free from Newry City Library or customers can simply call in to sit and read one of the books for a while. Similar collections are also available in Omagh and Derry central libraries.”
Sharon Williams, Project Manager, Compassionate Communities NI described how funding has made this initiative possible. "Funding from the Public Health Agency Advance Care Planning Seed Fund has allowed us to partner with Libraries NI. With these funds we have been able to donate a collection of books on topics such as advanced illess, caregiving, bereavement and death. The Death Positive Library is an especially important initiative to increase the public’s death literacy. The books in the library educate us on the process of dying, how we can plan for death and how we can adjust to a new life after the death of someone close. Knowledge and understanding also empowers us to be more compassionate and gives us confidence to offer others support."
Compassionate Communities NI have a clear message, death is no surprise, no one is getting out of this life alive, so let’s start talking about it!
For more information please visit www.librariesni.org.uk and www.compassionatecommunitiesni.com
