Wellbeing Exeter arranged a guided tour of Exeter Library to allow a small group of residents to learn more about this local resource. Three Community Connectors also attended the event, which allowed for introductions to be made and support offered to those who felt nervous about meeting new people.
The tour was facilitated by a member of Library staff who was very knowledgeable about the history of the building and the resources within it. It was steadily paced, with several pauses along the route. This allowed the group to take notice of their surroundings and created opportunity for conversations – and laughter – about books. Childhood memories were shared, along with a recognition of the pleasure and escapism reading can offer during challenging times.
Most of the group rarely visited the Library and a couple of people had never visited before. As the visit progressed, there was a shared sense of learning – the discovery of audiobooks that can be hired, the computer spaces that can be booked and the IT support that is available to those less confident with technology. The group also learned about the Community Larder that is hosted at the Library – this led to conversations about national and global events and how they are impacting daily lives.
The tour ended with a visit to the Library’s café. As the group settled down to relax in each other’s company, shared interests were discovered and new connections made. The visit was viewed as a positive experience by the group and it was agreed future group outings should be arranged by Wellbeing Exeter. Thank you to Exeter Library for accommodating us. #exeterlibrary
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