Background:

Dementia is a progressive neurocognitive disorder affecting cognition, function, and independence. As its prevalence grows globally, public libraries serve as vital community hubs promoting social inclusion to support individuals living with dementia. While dementia-friendly design is well established in aged care and urban planning, its application in public libraries remains underexplored. Existing knowledge overlooks environmental challenges and opportunities encountered by the targeted population within these settings.

Objective:

This audit assessed whether libraries in regional Queensland align with dementia-friendly principles using the Dementia-Friendly Communities Environmental Assessment Tool (DFC-EAT) to evaluate physical environments, identify accessibility needs, and offer practical recommendations.

Methods:

A convergent parallel mixed methods design investigated dementia-friendly design across three regional libraries. Quantitative data were collected via the DFC-EAT, with qualitative insights provided by semi-structured interviews during site visits. These were analysed separately and integrated through thematic and descriptive analysis to evaluate library environments and staff perspectives.

Outcomes:

Key findings included consistent performance across all libraries, particularly internal navigation. Approaching the facility and wayfinding were identified as core weaknesses. Five key themes emerged: (a) limited visibility of dementia, (b) limited dementia-specific knowledge, (c) moderate staff confidence, (d) emerging inclusive programming, and (e) inconsistent accessibility.

Conclusion:

This research offers a blueprint for libraries aiming to improve environmental accessibility. Findings highlight the need for targeted staff training and intentional dementia-friendly design. Libraries are well-positioned to evolve into dementia-supportive spaces. Aligning design, awareness, and inclusive culture to foster meaningful community participation and support people to live well with dementia.