Services
Health information and services
A range of Health Information resources and services are available across Calderdale Libraries.
- Book collections
- Health Information Points
- Services offered in specific libraries
- Online information available
- Only Natural scheme.
Book collections
For books about health, medicine, well-being and fitness that are available to borrow throughout the library service, search the Library Catalogue.
The Central Reference Library in Halifax also has a significant collection of books about health, medicine, wellbeing and fitness for use within the library.
For those with milder depressive illnesses, self help collections are available at the Brighouse Library, Central Library, Halifax, Hebden Bridge Library, King Cross Library, Shelf Library and Todmorden Library.
Calderdale’s largest collection of adult mental health books, DVDs, CDs and journals, for self help, study and research is housed in the Access for all Suite, at the Central Library. Financed by the Adult Mental Health Service, these items are free to loan and included in the main Library Catalogue.
To assist meditation and relaxation, the Central Library has a .
All libraries stock a collection of 13 Adult Health and Social Care leaflets on a range of topics, including Gateway to Care, Physical Disabilities and Sensory Impairments.
Health Information Points
The first of Calderdale’s Health Information Points was launched in May 2011 at Elland Library.
The Health Information Point draws together, in a designated, branded area of the library:
- books for lending and reference;
- a range of helpful and informative leaflets;
- handouts detailing health related web sites that will be available for use with the library computers, or to take away;
- displays highlighting areas of particular interest.
Library staff are able to help you access information and help with the Choose and Book facility for NHS appointments.
Services held at specific libraries
- Healthy Minds Information Service|
Regular information sessions at Central Library, Halifax,Hebden Bridge Library and Todmorden Library. - Life Check sessions
Held every month at Central Library, Halifax and various other venues. Contact Smehra.Hussain@swyt.nhs.uk or ring 01422 281529. - NHS Smoking Cessation sessions
Held at King Cross Library. - Weight loss class
Held at King Cross Library. - BreathEasy. A rehabilitation class for lung cancer survivors.
Held at King Cross Library. - Calderdale carers meetings
Held at King Cross Library. - National Autistic Society coffee mornings
Held at King Cross Library. - Specific events at Northowram Library and the Northowram and Shelf Childrens Centre|.
Online information and services
All Calderdale libraries offer free Internet access, enabling you to search for health information.
- NHS Choices| - Library staff can help you navigate this excellent site.
- Free access to subscription-only sites - Information is available on Britannica Online and Oxford Reference Online: Premium Collection.
- Choose and Book| - Staff in Central Library, Halifax, Elland Library, Hebden Bridge Library, Todmorden Library, Brighouse Library, and Sowerby Bridge Library can help you with this online facility for booking NHS appointments.
- The Social Care and Wellbeing Hub - This is a new information resource specific to Calderdale. It gives you access to a wide range of health and social care options.
Only Natural scheme
Brighouse Library, Elland Library, Northowram Library and Rastrick Library are members of the Only Natural| scheme, and offer a particular welcome to breast-feeding mums.
