Things in the library 22 May...

Things that are back...
We are pleased to announce our first Virtual Randomised Coffee Trial at SCH in June. We know it won't be quite the same but we thought people might still like to have the chance to 'meet' new people in SCH and keep the connections going. As usual you can talk about anything you want to... you can compare your lockdown experiences, deliberately avoid Covid-19 subjects all together or get advice on your greenfly problem on your lupins (or is that just me!).  It doesn't matter if you are working on-site or at home, shielding or caring ....everyone is welcome to take part. If you wish to take part this is the sign-up link please be aware that you will need to use a system such as Skype for Business, MS Teams, Google Meet or phone and arrange a mutually convenient time with your matchee. Please sign-up before the end of May. We can help with instructions for setting up meetings if you wish. Please remember to comply with Trust internet safety and confidentiality policies.

Things in the garden...
Appart from my lupin disaster one benefit from working at home is being able to see my garden more and take a walk in it at lunchtime. There has been much publicity recently about the benefits of being in a green area and of specifically how good gardening is for well-being. We are at the start of National Children's Gardening week and this site has great ideas for starting children off with gardens
- prizes to be won each day too.

Things at home...
For those trying to work at home and help their children with schoolwork.

Things about organ donation...

The new system of consent came into operation this week. Under the new system, known as 'opt out' or 'deemed consent', people over 18 years of age in England will now be considered to have agreed to donate their organs and tissue after death, except where they made a decision to opt out. Children below 18 years, people who have been ordinary residents for less than 12 months in England and people who lacked capacity for a significant time, will be excluded. Following a 12-week public consultation last year, a further safeguard was put in place. This will ensure that the new system will only apply to routine transplants, to help those waiting for a life-saving or life-enhancing transplant. Novel and rare transplants will be excluded from deemed consent when they become available in the UK.

Things closed...
The library will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday so any emails or literature searches or training requests will be dealt with on our retrun. To check all the services we can supply please visit our webpages.



Things sizzling...

If you are fortunate enough to have a garden then a BBQ might be on the menu over the Bank Holiday...apparently it is National BBQ week coming up, along with British tomato fortnight. These sticky chicken drumsticks can be done on a BBQ or oven depending on facilities and weather. For a vegetarian choice Hot & spicy sweet potatoes and my favourite very easy baked pepper and tomato dish Piedmont Roasted Peppers - substitue capers for the anchovies for veggie version.

Things in the library 15th May...

Things about mental health...
The Mental Health Foundation have picked 'kindness' as the theme for  Mental Health Awareness Week 18-24 May 2020. In his blog their CEO states

"Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Wisdom from every culture across history recognises that kindness is something that all human beings need to experience and practise to be fully alive." 

We have seen so many little acts of kindness in the current pandemic from local groups organising shopping and help in their neighbourhoods, little gifts left for people or simply a heartfelt 'thank you'. Their CEO goes on to say their reports show as child poverty rises, children and young people in the poorest parts of our country are two to three times  more likely to experience poor mental health than those in the richest. After the 2008 credit crunch it was the most vulnerable in our communities who experienced the severest consequences of austerity, with devastating effects on their mental and physical health. This not the hallmark of a kind society

"Applied kindness could have a transformative impact on our schools, places of work, communities and families. As the former Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney, has said, now is a time to put values above valuations. We must seize this time to shape a society that tips the balance in favour of good mental health, for all of us, but especially for those who are most vulnerable."  

Things about rice...
More than half of rice varieties sold in the UK contained levels of arsenic higher than regulations allow for babies and children under five. A University of Sheffield study published in the journal Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety finds brown and organic rice contain more inorganic arsenic than the others. More than half of rice varieties sold in the UK contained levels of arsenic higher than regulations allow for babies and children under five Scientists call for labelling to warn of particular risk to infants and young children Scientists have called for labelling to warn the public about levels of arsenic in rice, after their research found half of rice varieties studied exceeded maximum limits on the deadly toxin.

Things about arts & culture...
University of Sheffield and Sheffield City Council have partnered with 'Our Favourite Places' to launch Sheffield Culture Hub this allows events in the city to be accessed for the first time through one digital route, providing visitors with a one-stop online arts and cultural events guide. Many events in Sheffield have already made the move to online delivery due to the Covid-19 lockdown. The new hub will help make these events accessible to more people as well as provide a platform for smaller events and cultural groups that don’t have access to digital delivery systems. It includes digital resources from theatres, Museums Sheffield, music and dance.

Things about e-books...
To thank everyone in the NHS across the country who are working so hard to protect us during this crisis, Hachette UK is offering all NHS staff a free e-book to download. Simply enter your NHS email address, choose a book from the selection available, then validate using the link sent to your NHS email address and create an account. The offer is open till Sunday, May 31, 2020.

More free books...

Amazon have a page which give an overview of some of the Kindle Books and digital magazines that are currently available for free download. This selection includes public domain titles as well as Kindle Books and digital magazines which publishers are providing for free download for a limited time. If you don't have a Kindle you can read on any tablet or smartphone with the free Kindle Reading App.





Things to do in the library...
As a Covid-19 conversation free zone the library is supplying free drinks, leisure reading and colouring sheets. Sarah has now started a gallery of completed artworks.






Things about Reading Group...
Our next book is God’s Own Country by Ross Raisin on Wed 3rd June via a virtual link at 18:15 to 19:15. Sam Marsdyke is a lonely young man, dogged by an incident in his past and forced to work his family farm instead of attending school in his Yorkshire village. He methodically fills his life with daily routines and adheres to strict boundaries that keep him at a remove from the townspeople. But one day he spies Josephine, his new neighbor from London. From that moment on, Sam's carefully constructed protections begin to crumble—and what starts off as a harmless friendship between an isolated loner and a defiant teenage girl takes a most disturbing turn.


Things to eat...
A meal we ate this week was Spinach, sweet potato & lentil dhal...I was afraid it might be a bit 'worthy' but it had such high ratings we decided to give it a go and it was truely delicious.

Things in the library 1st May....

Things all about us...
It's our birthday today....70 years Supporting Knowledge for Healthcare...I have balloons at home, Kate is celebrating virtually and Sarah is in the library with cake and bunting (if you are in the building pop up to see her). We are privileged to work in such a lovely place for lovely people.










Things in the past...
It was decided 70 years ago today that it would be a good idea if the hospital had a medical library, which started off as a shelf in the stenographers office...we still have a few of the original books belonging to this collection (kept for hstorical reasons!). Eventually this needed more space and was boosted by Professor Illingworth's collection which is why the library now bears his name, we have been in our current location since 1994...so another excuse for a party in four years time....when the library was opened by his widow Dr Cynthia Illingworth.

Things pre NHS...
Some things were very different in the old hospital, beds and wards were sponsored annually by benefactors (including the old Cole Brothers (now John Lewis) and well known local Sheffield philantrhopists, these were named and sadly were often in memory of children who had died. Visiting restrictions were slightly different - visiting your child was allowed of course...but only for one hour on a Sunday afternoon after a child had been in hospital for two weeks. There was a 'Linen League' consisting of ladies who sewed sheets and other items needed for the hospital...some modern parallels there I think!

Our current building before it was built

Things old...
Here are some old hospital photos - kindly supplied by the History Group at NGH - clicking on them should enlarge them

Our building with parking underneath

Cafe

Entrance..with carefully placed children

Operating theatre

Things to test you...
Sarah has devised a 1950s quiz for you to try.

Things to attend...
Our Reading Group will be meeting virtually - contact the library if you would like to join in - we will meet at the later time of 18:15 on Wendesday 6th May and will be discussing 'Night Circus'.









Taste of the 1950s...
I have my mother's 1950's Good Houskeeping Cookery Book (she was Casualty Officer (SHO) at the Children's in 1950s working for Professor Illingworth). In the book there is advice that for a formal dinner party "whilst it is perfectly possible for a host and hostess to serve the dinner correctly, for those who feel the need for professional help....there are many agencies supplying servants by the hour or by the evening" . There are two pages of instructions just relating to the linen, glasses and where the food should be placed and served.
There is a whole chapter on invalid cookery..Calf's foot Jelly anyone?
From the section on dieting there are recipes for fattening as well as losing weight., so here is a fattening recipe and colour picture of a Strawberry Cream Flan.