Death Positive Libraries available in Waterside and Strabane Libraries

The Death Positive Libraries in Northern Ireland collaboration between Compassionate Communities NI and Libraries NI is to increase locations to 13 with the addition of two new sites.  

During Palliative Care Week, 7 - 13 September 2025, Death Positive Libraries have launched in the Waterside Library and Strabane Library. Working also in partnership with the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, the aim of the initiative is to improve access to books relating to living with advanced illness, dying death and bereavement.   

Sharon Williams, Project Manager, Compassionate Communities NI had this to say, ‘We understand that people impacted by advanced illness, frailty, caregiving, and bereavement increases feelings of loneliness and social isolation.  This is as a result of many factors, but lack of knowledge and awareness has a significant impact.  The books curated in the Death Positive Library collection offer the reader both factual information that can help people to plan for future care needs and stories that help people understand big emotions that are common when dealing with a health crisis.’

Studies indicate that more than 70% of us will avoid talking about the end of life. We will all be impacted by death and dying multiple times in our lives; perhaps as carers, as people living with bereavement and ultimately when we die ourselves. Our reluctance to talk about the ‘D’ word, can leave those who are impacted by advanced illness feeling socially isolated and lonely.

The first Death Positive Library was launched in Derry Central Library in 2021.  

Libraries NI District Officer Marie-Elaine Tierney said: “Since the first Death Positive Library was launched, we’ve seen the value of providing thoughtful, accessible resources on what can be a difficult subject. Libraries serve as vital community hubs, offering welcoming and inclusive spaces where individuals can access trusted information on a wide range of important matters.

“We’re delighted the Death Positive Libraries initiative is expanding to Waterside and Strabane libraries, which helps connect even more people to a carefully curated collection of books in a welcoming, stigma-free environment.

We’re grateful to Compassionate Communities NI for their generous donation and invite everyone to explore the collection, whether borrowing a book or simply taking a quiet moment to read and reflect in the library.”

Photo: Kiefer Averill, Deirdre Nugent (Libraries NI), Sharon Williams (Compassionate Communities), Marie-Elaine Tierney (Libraries NI), Susan McBarron and Martina Donaghy (WHSCT) attending the launch of the Death Positive Library in Waterside Library

The launch of the two new libraries coincides with Palliative Care Week 2025, which is based on the theme: ‘Living for Today, Planning for Tomorrow’. Emma King, Macmillan Specialist Palliative Care Team Manager in the Western Trust said: “We are delighted to support this initiative and the focus of palliative care week which encourages us all to consider the importance of planning ahead, taking control and making our wishes and preferences known, particularly our end-of-life care wishes, to our health and social care providers and also those closest to us.” 

The initiative aims to remove barriers around talking about advanced illness, caregiving, death and bereavement, with books available for all age groups and needs, including children and easy read formats.  Creative workshops have been delivered in Death Positive Libraries through the Art of Life Project, a cross-border partnership between Cavan County Council, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Compassionate Communities NI and the Irish Hospice Foundation.

Sharon Williams explained plans for future creative workshops, ‘It is well documented that the arts is a powerful tool that allows us to understand complex information and emotion. Through the Art of Life Project we have seen the impact the arts can have on helping us to plan ahead for a time of declining health or a health emergency.  We plan to deliver similar creative workshops during Positive Ageing Month in the Waterside and Strabane Libraries.’ 

“It is important that we support people living with palliative conditions and those experiencing grief and encourage a planned approach to all aspects of preparing for and living with death. The Compassionate Communities NI website hosts a range of helpful resources and our new Death Positive Library initiative with Libraries NI allows for greater access to helpful information that people need.
 
For more information please visit www.compassionatecommunitiesni.com