Explore library services and activities

Health and wellbeing

We all want to live well, and our health is a big part of that. 

At Newcastle Libraries, we have free resources and services to help people improve their health and wellbeing.

Reading Well collections

Reading Well is a group of books that can help you understand and manage your health and wellbeing.

Our collections includes books on:

  • mental health
  • dementia
  • younger people's health and wellbeing.

Some of these books are also available to borrow as eBooks or eAudiobooks through BorrowBox. 

You will need:

  • your library card number
  • your PIN

See the following page for more information on the different collections and view the recommended titles in our catalogue.

Reading for wellbeing

We aim to support people in Newcastle to discover the health benefits of reading for pleasure.

We offer one to one support:

  • two or three meet ups at a local library or somewhere near to you
  • we get to know you and chat about how reading might help you
  • we find out what type of books you might like to read and show you how to find and borrow books from the library

We also offer group activities:

  • we set up groups where people can get together to talk about books and stories
  • we listen to what people are interested in and how they would like groups to run

For more information email readingforwellbeing@newcastle.gov.uk, we will reply asking for the basic information we require. You will find details of all Reading for Wellbeing events on the Libraries Eventbrite page.

Support for people with dementia

Playlist for life

Playlist for Life is a charity that uses music to help people with dementia.

All Newcastle Libraries promote and give out the Playlist for Life's booklet, 'Create the Soundtrack of Your Life'. 

The booklet helps people with dementia, along with their carers, to find songs that are important to them and write down the memories these songs bring back.

Memory cafe

Join us for tea or coffee, a chat, and some activities.

We offer a safe space to spend time. You can do as much or as little as you want.

We meet:

  • where: Newcastle City Library
  • when: every Tuesday, 10:30 - 11:45am

Activities include:

  • looking at old photos (make copies, create collages, or just chat about them)
  • exploring memory boxes with various items
  • watching old adverts (or play brand bingo)
  • enjoying music (make your own playlist or reminisce about classic tunes)

Tovertafel: magic table

The magic table projects animations onto surfaces. Users can interact with the light by moving their arms and hands. It helps people with autism, learning difficulties and dementia.

The magic table is on Level 3 at City Library and free to use but must be booked in advance.

To book a session or for a demo, email your preferred date and time to room.bookings@newcastle.gov.uk.

Death Positive Library

Libraries are great places to help people dealing with loss. Libraries Connected, a national charity, is making a plan to support people dealing with death and grief.

We hold events all year at our libraries.

Our main events are:

  • Dying Matters Week in May: raises awareness about talking about death and grief.
  • National Grief Awareness Week in December: helps people understand grief and encourages them to talk about it.

Our available resources include:

  • books on bereavement, grief, and death at many of our libraries
  • an eBooks Collection with titles on death, dying, grief, and bereavement
  • help from The Reading Agency, which provides information on bereavement support and how libraries can help