How we celebrated Adult Learners’ Week

Edinburgh Libraries were host to a wide variety of activities, celebrating Adult Learners Week (May 14 – 18), and despite the unusually cold temperatures a good crowd joined Carol for a walking exploration of Robert Louis Stevenson country around Oxgangs Library.

“Good guide and beautiful scenery”, “very, very interesting” and “Lets have some more please” were among the reactions from our walkers.

Family History and LearnIT taster sessions proved extremely popular with over 75 people participating. The quality of learning was very much appreciated at the Book Cafes and poetry sessions for learners of English as an additional language. Here are some ESOL students at Fountainbridge Library:

And here’s a happy group of LearnIT computer rookies at Drumbrae Library, proudly clutching their course folders:

Highlight of the week was the Celebration of Learning held at the impressive City Chambers, organised by the Edinburgh Adult Education Group on the evening of Friday 18th. Thirteen groups from across the city – offering a wide variety of learning opportunities to adults – were nominated to attend and receive awards. It was fantastic that the libraries’ LearnIT and its learners city-wide were presented with a Special Achievement Award – real recognition of the excellent work both of all the library staff who organise and deliver the beginners computing courses and the many volunteers who support these classes and offer 1:1 buddying sessions too!

Congratulations to all those adult learners who are now confidently surfing the net and emailing those distant relatives…

The history and relevance of The Qu’ran

Central Library is hosting two lectures on The Qu’ran, the sacred book of Islam which Muslims believe was revealed by God to the Prophet Muhammad.

The lectures will focus on the history of the revelation of the Qu’ran, its application 1400 years ago, its meaning and practicality for modern man and its relevance to the issues faced by 21st century society.

There will be question and answer sessions following both lectures. Dates and times:

The Qu’ran, its meaning for modern man Tuesday 19th June, 5.30 – 8.00pm

The Qu’ran, its response to contemporary issues Saturday 23rd June, 10.30am – 12.30pm

To book your place email edinburgh@peaceconference.co.uk

1952 – the year a princess became Queen

With 60 years on the throne, Queen Elizabeth is second only to Victoria as the British monarch with the longest reign in history. In a couple of weeks’ time, there will be no escaping the union jacks, commemorative tv programmes, tea towels and countless other memorabilia.

A new online exhibition on Capital Collections gives a flavour of what life was like in Scotland’s capital back in 1952 and the chance to appreciate the nation’s constant figurehead in an ever-changing world.

1952 was a momentous year. The USA tested the first hydrogen superbomb, the deadliest weapon yet in their Cold War nuclear armoury. A Jewish girl’s diary of her experiences during the Second World was published in English. Anne Frank’s story would have an enduring and far-reaching impact and fulfil her father’s wishes for it to stand as a warning against racial hatred. Closer to home, up to 2000 people died in London from respiratory problems triggered by an unprecedented 10 day pea-souper smog hanging over the city. The world’s first passenger jet airliner set off from London bound for South Africa, signalling the possibilities of future air travel.

In tha same year renowned architect Le Corbusier unveiled the Unite d’Habitation in Marseilles – his Utopian vision for modern living – Edinburgh’s planners revealed proposals for new housing developments for the city. Le Corbusier’s self-contained vertical city was intended to be functional and practical and to allow people to live in strong communities. In Edinburgh, a redevelopment of the rundown Canongate area was commissioned and a couple of years later, a proposal for high-rise towerblocks in the Dumbiedykes area would add a new dimension to the city’s skyline.

Perhaps though, the most significant news for the people of the British Isles was the accession to the throne of the young Queen Elizabeth II. Edinburgh joined in the celebrations with a simultaneous proclamation ceremony which proceeded throughout the city. Delve into 1952 and you’ll see pictures from the proclamation as well as two Royal visits. The new Queen is captured on her first official Scottish tour visiting Huntly House and the Duke of Edinburgh opens the 1952 International Festival of Music and Drama. We even have the menu from his official luncheon programme detailing anchovy canapés completing a four course meal. (Really – after one’s dessert?)

Why reading is good for your mental health

We’ve teamed up with NHS Lothian to launch a new range of books and resources aimed at helping young people and families cope with mental health issues.

The collection, recommended by NHS Lothian’s Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service , offers information, greater understanding and advice to help children, young people, parents and carers who are dealing with issues such as anxiety, depression, bullying and eating disorders.  The books are all available for loan in public and school libraries.

Liz McGettigan, Libraries & Information Services Manager, said: “Understanding how to deal with mental health issues can be very challenging especially when it involves young people. We hope that providing access to this information will help support families and carers.

“With our free online reservation service people can also reserve one of these books from the discretion of their own homes, collect it from a local library and issue it to themselves through our self issue service.”

Cathy Richards, Lead Clinician, Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service, (CAMHS), NHS Lothian added: “In Lothian we offer a range of mental health services for children and adolescents including these specially chosen healthy reading books and other resources which are an excellent and additional resource in helping children, young people and parents access reliable information and self-help about common mental health issues.”

Nicola Morgan, author of “Blame my Brain” – one of the recommended titles on the list – attended the launch and spoke to pupils from Firhill High School about a range of issues.

Nicola said: “My favourite topics are the teenage brain and teenage books, so to be able to speak about both at the same time is a real treat. I also firmly believe that books are therapeutic – both relaxing and stimulating – so I love the idea of this project.”

In addition to the interactive resources and book list there are also some helpful links to various mental health support groups and organisations on the Council website.

Library members can quickly order any book from the list and collect from their local library by using the online reservation service and 24 hour library.

Lorraine E Murray Meditation Demonstration at Stockbridge Library

Lorraine E. Murray, author of Calm Kids: Help Children Relax with Mindful Activities, will be giving a talk at Stockbridge Library on Thursday (May 24th).

The talk will feature a demonstration of meditation techniques featured in the book with the aim of showing parents and teachers how these techniques can be used with their children.

Lorraine E. Murray is Managing Director of holistic health company Feel Good Therapies. Since 2003, she has taught meditation and relaxation methods to all ages and levels and has worked with Maggie’s centres for cancer, numerous primary and secondary schools, commercial corporations, and individual families. She is passionate about helping children strengthen their self-esteem through meditation and mindfulness, and about empowering adults to help them.

Anyone interested in coming along should contact  stockbridge.library@edinburgh.gov.uk Tel 0131 529 5665.

The Cabbage and Ribs versus the Jam Tarts. It’s the Salt and Sauce Final

I suppose you could call it a mouthwatering prospect…

In case you’re just back from outer space, Hearts take on Hibs in tomorrow’s Scottish Cup Final, and it seems the whole city’s been caught up in the excitement (some more than others it has to be said).

The teams have met once before in the final, on 14 March 1896 at Logie Green in Edinburgh. Hearts ran out 3-1 winners, one of seven triumphs in the tournament. Hibs have only won twice, the last time being in 1902. Is this destined to be their year though?

Here’s an artist’s impression of the 1896 game from the Edinburgh Evening Dispatch, part of our Edinburgh and Scottish Collection. The library is also home to a vast treasury of programmes, fanzines and books devoted to both clubs. Here’s a sample, all available for loan from your local library.

May the best team win, and no matter who does, Monday’s going to be interesting.

Picturing our dear green places

The news that the city’s parks are getting their own app (see below) has inspired us to take a look through some of our photos of Edinburgh’s green spaces past and present.

Here are a few of our favourite images – how many do you recognise? View more like this on Capital Collections, our online picture gallery

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More about the Parks and Green Spaces Project:

The City of Edinburgh Council has been awarded funding for an exciting new parks and green spaces project which includes developing a website and app to support exploring and enjoying the city’s parks and green spaces as well as learn about heritage, conservation and biodiversity.

Images and short descriptions on items and areas of interest will be mapped as ‘collections’ and can be spotted following routes across the city. You’ll be able to add your own comments, photos and collections. But we’re looking for your feedback:

• how/when would you use this?
• what content would be of interest to you?
• other ideas you have around this topic?

Have your say by coming a long to a focus group at Central Library on Tuesday 22 May from 6-6.45pm or 7-7.45pm or Wednesday 23 May from 6-6.45pm or 7-7.45pm

We’ll also be holding an online focus group on Monday 21 May from 3.00-4.00pm or 6.30-7.30pm. Other times can be arranged during the week beginning 21 May.

Your views will help shape and develop this innovative new service, so please get in touch to let us know which session you can attend.

Janet Johnston, Customer Experience Lead, City of EdinburghCouncil, 0131 529 7237. Email janet.johnston@edinburgh.gov.uk

Find out more about this project