Hearing Aid Batteries 
Replacement hearing aid batteries for NHS Lothian patients can be collected at any Midlothian Library.
Simply call into any branch with your yellow battery book and staff will provide you with two packets of new batteries for each hearing aid.
This is a joint initiative between Midlothian Council and NHS Lothian.
If you have any questions about the service or need a new battery book please contact the NHS Lothian Audiology Department:
- Audiology Department: 0131 536 1637
We are now also offering a hearing aid maintenance clinic at Dalkeith Library
First Wednesday of the month, 10.30-11.30am
No appointment necessary. Just drop in.
(re-tubing, battery replacement and advice)
Braw Blether 
Braw Blether groups get together to read and tell stories; using poems, song lyrics, fiction, and news articles, to spark conversation.
You don't have to be a great reader to come along, and you don't need to bring anything with you. Here’s what some of the group members have to say:
”it's fun, and there's no obligation”
“it benefits my happiness, improves my mood, it's what I look forward to through the week”
“it made it easier to get back into reading...I can concentrate”
The service is available to all adults and is free.
If you are thinking about attending one of the groups, or you would like to enquire on behalf of someone you know, you can contact your local library for more details.
Midlothian Library service is currently running the following Braw Blether sessions:
- Fortnightly on Tuesdays Penicuik Library 1.30 - 3.00pm
- Fortnightly on alternate Tuesdays Loanhead Library 1.30 - 3.00pm
- * Carers group, First and Third Mondays of the month Gorebridge Library 10.30- 12.00pm
- Fortnightly on alternate Mondays Gorebridge Library 10.30- 12.00pm
Braw Blether at Dalkeith Arts Centre is Cancelled until further notice. It may be relaunched later this year if felt to be viable, so if you would find this useful please contact Juliet (details below)
| Penicuik | Loanhead | Gorebridge |
|---|---|---|
| 28/01/20 | 21/01/20 | 20/01/20 |
| 11/02/20 | 04/02/20 | 03/02/20* |
| 25/02/20 | 18/02/20 | 17/02/20 |
| 10/03/20 | 03/03/20 | 02/03/20* |
Contact Details: Juliet Ridgway-Tait, bibliotherapist
Tel: 01312716668
Mobile: 07990136846
email: bibliotherapy@midlothian.gov.uk
External Evaluation of Midlothian Libraries Bibliotherapy Service 2018
Boardmaker BOARDMAKER IN
MIDLOTHIAN LIBRARIES
It can be used for free at
DALKEITH, LASSWADE, LOANHEAD
NEWBATTLE & PENICUIK LIBRARIES
Each of the 5 libraries has a Boardmaker champion who can visit once per month to provide training and support for families interested in making their own resources.
Boardmaker is a helpful visual symbol-based computer software resource for people who need additional support with any communication, attention or memory challenges, it can be used to create:
•symbolised leaflets/posters
•visual timetables/schedules
•social stories and more!
You can use it any time but please book in advance to guarantee availability.
Just pop in or phone to make a reservation with your local library for the next available appointment:
Lasswade - 0131 271 4534
(Moira Jeffrey first Wednesday of the month 11-1)
Loanhead - 0131 444 9032
(Moira Jeffrey last Wednesday of the month 11-1)
Newbattle - 0131 561 6745
(Shona Tallach first Friday of the month 10-11.30)
Dalkeith - 0131 663 2083
(Annis MacIver first Monday of the month 2-4pm)
Penicuik - 01968 664 050
(Kath Nightingale last Friday of the month 10-11.30)
Use of Boardmaker is free - you only pay for printing and laminating.
Funding for the software was kindly provided by Edinburgh & Lothians Health Foundation (www.elhf.co.uk)
Carers Collection Help for Carers The Midlothian Libraries Carers Collection is a selection of suggested books which provide help and advice for all those caring for someone with a disability or long-term illness.
This collection is just a sample, you will find many more relevant books in the libraries and we are also always keen to take suggestions of titles which could be added to this list.
All titles in the collection can be browsed and requested from the adjacent list .
Healthy Reading Collections The Healthy Reading Collections are aimed at improving the mental health and wellbeing of both adults and young people with mild to moderate mental health problems. They provide a self-help alternative to prescription drugs.
People can access recommended resources including books, audio books and DVDs through all libraries and Health in Mind's Orchard Centre in Midlothian.