"Mind Guidance" programme (Umovadba)

The Maribor Public Library actively intervenes in the social space with a variety of content, responds to various social phenomena, and systematically and purposefully promotes activities in the field of inclusion of vulnerable groups.

In the light of the growing phenomenon of dementia and the already existing practices of some public libraries at home and abroad, we have established the "Mind Guidance" (Umovadba) programme in cooperation with the Aloja Institute, Maribor. The programme is free of charge. 

It is aimed at individuals with cognitive decline and those who wish to maintain and strengthen their cognitive abilities. It takes the form of regular weekly meetings lasting one to two hours at the Nova vas Library. Using games and didactic aids from our extensive collection of toys and playthings, participants strengthen memory, motor skills, sensorimotor skills, sensory perception and speech skills.

Since its launch in 2023, the programme has become well established, and there is a strong need for this type of activity for older people. With the support of the Ministry of Culture and the volunteer network that has been established, we now also run the programme at Pobrežje Library, while with the support of the local community, it is also offered at Lovrenc na Pohorju Library.

We are also preparing and updating lists of written material on the topic of dementia, jointly marking various events, such as World Dementia Month, to raise awareness and sensitise the general public, and we are also trying to contribute to the detablisation of the phenomenon of dementia in society through content related to library activities. The reading list and the list of games and educational materials, which we have called "Knowledge for living with dementia", are available here.

More about the programme (in Slovenian)