Love Libraries – Libraries’ SAD lamps help to lighten low moods

Libraries light up lives – and in often unexpected ways.

Some members are even getting a little sunshine to take home during the dark winter months thanks to a groundbreaking winter wellness project.

Four public libraries in East Dunbartonshire – William Patrick Library in Kirkintilloch, and in Bishopbriggs, Lennoxtown and Milngavie libraries – are allowing people to borrow lamps that replicate the physiological benefits of real sunlight, to help tackle the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

The initiative, in partnership with the University of Glasgow, was launched to coincide with the clocks going back on 27 October 2024.

Activities

The SAD lamps are included in a Wintering Well box along with information and activities designed to help ease the condition, plus access to an online course.

Tara Hepburn, Library Officer with East Dunbartonshire Libraries, said:

We have 100 lamps and you can come in and one just like you would borrow a book. The project has been going so well and people are finding the lamps useful.

The University of Glasgow funded the lamps as part of research into the mental and physical effects of long and dark winters.

We’ve had people join or rejoin the library just to borrow one, which has been great for us.

We attract families and retired people quite easily but it’s been harder to get that younger, professional demographic. This project has brought them in.

Tara Hepburn, Library Officer; Professor Hester Parr, University of Glasgow’s Living with SAD research team; a recipient of a Wintering Well box; Professor Hayden Lorimer, Living with SAD; Karin Jackson, EDLC General Manager; and Marion Kunderan, Principal Officer at the Scottish Library and Information Council.

Symptoms

SAD is a type of seasonal depression, with symptoms usually more apparent and severe during the winter months. Symptoms can include low mood, a loss of pleasure and interest in everyday activities, irritability, lethargy and difficulty concentrating.

The exact cause is unknown but it is believed a lack of sunlight stops a part of the brain, the hypothalamus, from working properly. This can affect the production of the sleep hormone melatonin and disrupt your body clock.

About three in every 100 people have significant winter depression, according to the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Tara said:

The lamps help make people more resilient during the darker months and they can be borrowed for four months. 

The Wintering Well boxes also contain access to an online course to help tackle the effects of SAD.

People are also encouraged to take part in a creative exercise about SAD that will help the research team.

The libraries also plan to host mini exhibitions featuring images about SAD created by participants.

Find more information about the project or East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture Trust libraries.