Jill Barker 

Biography - After a year working on a long stay geriatric ward in Brighton General Hospital Jill moved into Librarianship. Social Inclusion and outreach has been a significant part of her work in a variety of jobs with Berkshire Libraries and then Gloucestershire Libraries & Information. Her current role includes responsibility for a range of specialist services including Library Clubs, services to visually impaired people and the Prison library in Gloucester.

Abstract - Libraries and Health Services

Books on prescription have been the springboard for a series of projects between Gloucestershire Libraries and Information, and Health Services.  The partnership has demonstrated the important role of libraries in the health of the community and shown how the benefits can be translated into a prison environment as well.