Things in the library 13 December

Things that are twinkly

We have put up our Christmas decorations and around the tree a selection of our leisure reading books. If you plan to curl up with a good book over Christmas come up to the library to borrow one or browse our selection online here search for 'leisure'.

Things to do with Christmas
On 23rd and 24th December the library staff will be conducting their annual keep fit (and get dusty) routine. We will be stocktaking ...which means we take every item off the shelves, clean them, scan them and put them back again. As this is not a spectator sport the library will be closed those two days and then remain closed until re-opening on Thursday 2nd January.

Things you can help us with
Prior to the stocktake we are looking at various areas in the library to see if the book coverage is as you would like it to be. If you would like to help us by coming and looking at 'your' specialist area and making suggestions please get in touch.

Things to look at  and perhaps use

The British library has just added over a million images to Flickr Commons for anyone to use, remix and repurpose. These images were taken from the pages of 17th, 18th and 19th century books and concern a startling mix of subjects - which can be viewed here I found this image  from 1879 Taylor's "The Illustrated Guide to Sheffield and the surrounding district" of the gates to Weston Park.


Things to ponder on and discuss
There has been considerable discussion lately about scientific publishing - and from our experience we know many journal subscriptions are rocketing in price. This week Andy Schekman, a US biologist who won the Nobel prize in physiology or medicine this year and receives his prize in Stockholm on Tuesday, said his lab would no longer send research papers to the top-tier journals, Nature, Cell and Science. Read the article he wrote in the Guardian here

Things we did
Journal Club this week involved an interesting mix of consultants (Gastroenterology, Surgery and General Paediatrics) along with a clinical nurse specialist and junior doctors discussing a paper on predictive marker tests for children with constipation. Next journal club 9th Jan 8.00 to 9:00 am.

Thing to read
NICE issued new update to guidance on treating urinary tract infection in children download full text here

Things to do with cycles
There has been a lot in the press recently about the safety of cyclists on the roads so I was interested to spot this item. The Canadian Paediatric Society recently published a position statement on 'Bicycle helmet use in Canada: The need for legislation to reduce the risk of head injury'. They state that "research evidence to date and recognition of the substantial impact of traumatic brain injuries support the recommendation for all-ages bicycle helmet legislation" you can read the full text here .Watch out for wobbly young bike riders on Boxing day but I think this chap from 1880 may have had a little too much brandy butter in his mince pies!

Things to eat
A recipe recommended by one of Sarah's daughters who has made it for Christmas gifts - white chocolate mallow fudge - recipe here. Don't eat too much though or you may have to join us in our Stocktaking Exercise.