This chapter explores the use of technology in support of activities for people with dementia and their carers. This can take a variety of forms: some activities involving technology take place within the library, but technology can also make activities and services more accessible for people who might not be able to visit a library easily. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the use of technology in many fields, including library services, and has prompted libraries to pilot more ambitious online activities for people with dementia as it became impossible to run face-to-face activities. Restrictions imposed due to COVID-19, and the understandable reluctance of some older and more vulnerable people to attend in-person activities even when restrictions had been lifted, mean that many library services have placed a stronger focus on delivering online activities than was previously the case. This chapter therefore reflects on some of these Covid-related initiatives, the challenges faced and how they might inform the development of dementiainclusive online activities on a long-term basis.

Delivering online activities for people with dementia can be extremely challenging for practical reasons: people may lack digital skills or have limited confidence using new technology. There can also be additional challenges in engaging and communicating with people with dementia via a screen where it can be more difficult to convey body language and establish eye contact. Nevertheless, many activities have met with some success.

This chapter starts with a brief overview of some of the considerations around digital and online provision for people with dementia. It then describes a number of online activities offered via libraries, as well as other ways in which technology is being used by libraries to support activities for people with dementia. The chapter concludes by outlining some of the considerations around online provision for those caring for someone with dementia. The focus in this chapter is on library services and activities. Examples of how technology can be incorporated into library design, for instance through the creation of sensory spaces, are discussed in Chapter 3.