Library Services for Dementia/Alzheimer's

Please join LSDA for its Spring 2026 General Membership Zoom Meeting on March 19th at 1:00 p.m. CST. We will have a full agenda, including an analysis of the nationwide survey that was conducted in 2024. We’ll also outline a number of upcoming activities and include information on how to get involved in LSDA. Please bring your questions as there will be a Q&A at the end for those who attend. You can register for this meeting via the link below, and we look forward to meeting all who are interested to joining this dynamic group. This group welcomes any who would be interested in attending, and you do not need to be an ALA member to attend the meeting or join the group.

https://ala-events.zoom.us/meeting/register/3A-XLl0aQnmdPzML6WKhYg

Back in the spring, Library Services for Dementia and Alzheimer's Interest Group hosted a panel discussion with four previous winners of the Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People Living with Dementia.

The recording of that panel discussion is now available! Click through to see how different libraries implemented innovative collections, initiatives, and programs that support individuals experiencing Alzheimer's/dementia in the communities that they serve:

2025 Riedner Grant Winners Panel A panel of winners of the Riedner Grant share their awarded proposals.

Check out these awesome articles that highlight the winner of the 2025 RUSA Margaret E. Monroe Library Adult Services Award Winner, and the winners of the 2025 Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancingncing Library Programs for Peoplele Living with Dementia. Congratulations to the winners of both awards! We see your hard work, and we appreciate it!

https://rusaupdate.org/2025/04/2025-rusa-margaret-e-monroe-library-adult-services-award/

https://rusaupdate.org/2025/04/2025-rusa-stephen-t-riedner-grant-for-life-enhancing-library-programs-for-people-living-with-dementia/

Come join the Library Services for Dementia and Alzheimer's Interest Group on April 15th at 3 p.m. EST for a panel discussion with past winners of the Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People Living with Dementia to see how they implemented innovative collections, initiatives, and programs that support individuals experiencing Alzheimer's/dementia in the communities that they serve. You can register for this event by clicking on the link below.

Hosts

· Andrew Mangels, Director at the Westlake Porter Public Library

· Elizabeth Fried, Interim Branch Manager of the Clara Barton Branch and Older Adult Services at the Edison Public Library

Panelists

· Heidi Rhea, Outreach and Department Manager at Alpha Park Public Library

· John Piche, Adult Reference Librarian at Cleveland Heights-University Heights Public Library

· Janet Boudet, Library Director at the Roddenbery Memorial Library

· Andrea Boothby Rice, Associate Faculty Librarian, Research and Instruction in the Humanities and Fine Arts at Washington College

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5Vwz_dC9QFqYW2wuCjb0OQ

There's still time to apply for this year's Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People Living with Dementia.

Membership in ALA or RUSA is not required.

Applications are due by February 21.
https://www.ala.org/rusa/stephen-t-riedner-grant-life-enhancing-library-programs-people-living-dementia

A great free opportunity for all of your older patrons!

Interested in more info on our virtual program, ScrippsAVID? Join Krysta on Tuesday, February 18th at 2:30pm EST!

Registration is required: bit.ly/avid_webinar

There is still time to apply for the Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People living with Dementia. This grant provides libraries with start-up funds to create new services and programming for individuals experiencing Alzheimer's/Dementia. The deadline for applications is February 21, 2025, and there are two $2,500 grants available for libraries that wish to provide services for this community. ALA/RUSA membership is not required.

Stephen T. Riedner Grant for Life Enhancing Library Programs for People Living with Dementia Back to RUSA Division Level Awards

LSDA will be at the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego! Chair Allan Kleiman is presenting at the Diversity Fair poster session on Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM. On Monday, July 1st from 4-5:30 PM in Room 01 A in the Convention Center, join us for an LSDA membership meeting to learn more about our interest group. The meeting is free and open to all! Hope you can stop by 💜

We have openings for LSDA Leadership Team Positions!

LSDA is offering ways to advance in your career by volunteering to fill one of several openings on our Leadership Team for the upcoming 2024/25 year. Since we did not have a Chair Elect last year, all of the positions are available except for Past Chair. Many of you have a passion for working with those living with dementia and their care partners. You can channel that passion into creating new and vibrant ways to improve the quality of life for your patrons living with dementia. Since this is a field which is growing, you can help guide how these services develop throughout the country. Whether you have a lot of experience or are just beginning, you can make a difference!

Please take a look at the job descriptions and see where you might best be able to serve. While there are monthly online meetings, all other time commitments are flexible and are based on your schedule. Most communication occurs via text or email. You do not need to be a member of ALA to volunteer. Just send an email to Mary Beth Riedner ([email protected] ) indicating which position is the best fit for you by May 31, 2024. Thanks for seriously considering this opportunity.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQbhp2ROjE16RlPnyRCvePguRC4kuWx8TyWSFXaEUH_qaAqkRPiU6884WlMRvouCw/pub

To better understand the needs and interests of our LSDA membership, we are asking for you to please complete this short survey -

https://forms.gle/yQgogDpZpnbCSCkc6

We will be accepting responses through March 19.

We've created a new private Facebook Discussion Group. Scan the QR code below to request to join.

Just a reminder that there is still to time to register for this free webinar next week. Can't join live? Register and you will receive a link to the recording!

Remember Your Patrons Living with Memory Loss Presenters will share simple ways to create more dementia-friendly libraries and provide examples of literacy activities and programs.