That’s where the RCN in Northern Ireland stepped in with a straightforward but powerful idea: if nurses are unable to get to the library, we would bring the library to them.

The Beginning of the “Library in a Box”

The Library in a Box initiative was launched in 2025, starting as a small-scale pilot in a single nursing home. The idea originated with nursing home managers who wanted their teams to have easier access to relevant, up-to-date resources, especially in rural areas where visiting a physical library is not always easy.

Recognising this gap, the RCN Northern Ireland IHSC Lead Nurse and Learning & Information Specialist took a proactive approach. The solution was clear: we would deliver bespoke, sector-specific learning resources directly into independent sector workplaces.

The response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive. The staff actively used and appreciated the resource. That early success confirmed what we suspected: there is a strong demand for accessible, workplace-based learning.

So… What’s Inside the Box?

Each Library in a Box is individually designed to meet the needs of its specific independent sector workplace. We quickly recognised that a one-size-fits-all approach would never work, so the content is bespoke to ensure relevance and usability.

Topics include:

•           Leadership and teamwork

•           Reflective practice

•           Quality improvement

•           Palliative care

•           Dementia care

•           Perioperative practice

•           Care of the older person

However, the boxes are not just for gaining clinical knowledge. Based on member feedback, we recognise the pressures faced by independent sector nursing staff, including the need for wellbeing resources that encourage self-care and support their teams' emotional resilience.

This Initiative has Grown Through Feedback and Engagement

What helped this initiative succeed is its adaptability. Feedback from nurses has actively shaped the expansion of each box.

As the programme developed:

•           Reading lists were developed and have been expanded

•           Additional resources were introduced

•           Materials linked to wellbeing and professional networks were added

The boxes continue to expand, reassuring us that they remain practical, relevant, and engaging for the teams using them.

 We have Expanded Across the Independent Sector

What began as a single pilot has quickly grown into a well-requested resource across Northern Ireland. Today, Library in a Box is being used in:

•           Nursing homes

•           Independent hospitals

Will expand in 2026 into:

•           Hospices

•           Primary care settings

This initiative is already established in two nursing home groups and an independent hospital, with new launches underway in primary care and hospice environments.

This rapid expansion reflects both the initiative's flexibility and the enthusiasm of nursing teams eager for accessible learning tools.

This is About More Than Books: It is Building Connections

Library in a Box is more than a collection of resources. It has now become a powerful engagement tool.

Each box now features a QR code, making it easy for staff to connect with RCN, explore membership benefits, and access further support. It has created a sense of community that strengthens professional links and highlights the value of being part of the wider nursing family.

Why Does It Matter?

At its core, this initiative is about equity. It ensures that all nursing staff, regardless of their geographical location or workplace sector, have access to the tools they need to grow professionally and to support them in delivering high-quality patient care.

This is achieved by:

•           Increasing their access to knowledge

•           Supporting their CPD

•           Promoting their and their teams' well-being

•           Enhancing evidence-based patient care

Library in a Box is making a meaningful difference where it matters most to nurses on the front line of independent sector care delivery.

Looking Ahead

The journey doesn’t stop here. RCN Northern Ireland is committed to continuing the expansion of Library in a Box, reaching more workplaces and responding to the evolving needs of its members.

The learning message is clear: learning should be accessible, relevant, up to date and embedded in everyday independent sector practice.

How to Get Involved

The Library in a Box initiative is open to all independent sector workplaces across Northern Ireland. Nursing teams are encouraged to share feedback and suggest topics or resources they’d like to see included in future editions. We believe that the best ideas come from the nurses who use the boxes.

If you want to register your interest for a library in a box and you are a nurse or healthcare assistant working in the independent sector, contact Brenda.Rushe@rcn.org.uk.

Watch out for our upcoming podcast about the library-in-a-box.