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.