Memory Cafés in Libraries: Creating Meaningful Connections
Thanks to a generous scholarship from the Public Library Association, I was able to attend the 2026 PLA Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. During this time, I had the opportunity to attend multiple informative sessions that inspired how I will approach programming, outreach, and more in the future.
One of the most impactful sessions was Memory Cafés in Libraries: Creating Meaningful Connections, led by Allan Kleiman, Library Director at Edison Public Library; Susan McFadden, volunteer at Fox Valley Memory Project and Professor Emerita of Psychology; and Christine Johnson, Library Director at Waterford Public Library.
Wisconsin Public Radio reports that the over-65 population is the fastest-growing age group in Wisconsin and is estimated to exceed 1.3 million by 2030. With researchers from the National Institutes of Health estimating the lifetime risk of dementia to be higher than previously thought, it is important that we, as public libraries, are aware of this population and do what we can to serve them.
As a young adult, I lived with my grandmother, who had dementia, for a few years while my mother was her caregiver. One of my mother’s biggest challenges was finding a welcoming place where my grandmother could socialize and interact with others. A memory café would have been a perfect solution, and this is a major reason for my passion for bringing one to my library and the surrounding area.
Creating a welcoming, stigma-free environment was emphasized throughout the session. Attendees may include people living with memory loss, unpaid family caregivers, and paid caregivers accompanying their clients. While a diagnosis should never be required to attend, promotional materials should clearly state that memory cafés support people living with dementia and memory loss, and that they are not support groups. Engaging activities are important and can include large-piece puzzles, crosswords, and children’s nonfiction books.
Smaller libraries, such as Brodhead Memorial Public Library, can still find success by partnering with other libraries and community organizations. The Bridges Library System in Wisconsin rotates its memory café among multiple libraries, reducing the monthly commitment to every few months, which is especially helpful for smaller libraries with limited staff. Volunteers are also crucial and can provide valuable support in setting up and facilitating the program.
There is a wealth of information available for those interested in starting a memory café. Training is available at dfamerica.org on becoming memory-friendly and successfully hosting memory cafés. Current offerings can be found on memorycafedirectory.org, and it is strongly encouraged that all memory cafés register on the site to increase visibility.
This was just one of the many impactful sessions I had the privilege of attending. I look forward to implementing what I learned at the conference to better serve my community.
Tags: pla2026scholarship
