Libraries support Dyslexia Awareness Week

Libraries across Leicestershire are supporting Dyslexia Awareness Week which takes place from November 1st – 7th.

Libraries in Ashby, Birstall, Blaby, Broughton Astley, Fleckney, Hinckley and Wigston will have displays to raise awareness of dyslexia, which affects one in ten people.

Information will also be available on a Library Service webpage where there will be guidance on sources of information and advice on dyslexia, as well as details of books to turn struggling readers into confident ones.

Libraries also have a range of books to help. For more information visit www.leics.gov.uk/dyslexiaawareness or one of the libraries listed above.

Health and Wellbeing in the community

People needing to lower their blood pressure or wanting to know the difference between good and bad carbohydrates can now seek help at their local library.

Leicestershire Library Services are running a pilot scheme with NHS Community Health Services at Coalville, Melton and Oadby libraries which will support Health & Wellbeing services in the community.

In those libraries you will find:

Extra books and DVDs

Staff trained to help you find health information

Links to healthy activities and local groups

Health checks

Skilled for Health courses

NHS Choose and Book service

Special events

Feel-good fiction

FREE computer use

Physical activity opportunities

A series of taster sessions and health checks will be running at three libraries in the week commencing 9th November to mark the introduction of new services.

All libraries are free to join and therefore free to use. A good range of health resources and information can be found in all the county’s libraries.

Peter Wilson and Jo Horrillo, health improvement specialists from Leicestershire County and Rutland Community Health Services said, “We are really pleased to be partners in this new and exciting project in Leicestershire, and look forward to improving the health and well being of the local communities”

To find out more, pop into your library, call (0116) 305 6988 or visit www.leics.gov.uk/healthandwellbeing.

Background Information

Coalville Library
www.leics.gov.uk/coalvillelibrary
High Street, Coalville
Tel (0116) 305 3565
Email coalvillelibrary@leics.gov.uk

Melton Mowbray Library
www.leics.gov.uk/meltonlibrary
Wilton Road, Melton Mowbray
Tel (0116) 305 3646
Email meltonmowbraylibrary@leics.gov.uk

Oadby Library
www.leics.gov.uk/oadbylibrary
10 The Parade, Oadby
Tel (0116) 305 8763
Email oadbylibrary@leics.gov.uk

Melton Library launches Community Health and Wellbeing Services

Melton Library is launching its new Community Health and Wellbeing Services on Monday, 9th November and is inviting people to drop in between 10am and 2pm to see what is on offer.

There will be:
• Books and information about health and wellbeing
• Fantastic fiction and poetry to lift your mood
• Free health checks
• Fun exercise taster sessions
• Opportunities to find out about free swimming
• Opportunities to find out more about your local health surgery
• And much, much more……..

Leicestershire Library Services and NHS Community Health Services have been working in partnership to make information about health and wellbeing far more accessible to the general public. Melton Library is one of the county libraries which are promoting this new community service.

All libraries are free to join and use. For more information about the launch event or about health resources and information in general, call in at the library or phone 0116 3053646. Information is also available at www.leics.gov.uk/healthandwellbeing

Shepshed Library wears it Pink!

Shepshed Library is encouraging staff and customers to ‘Wear it Pink’ for the Breast Cancer Campaign.

The staff are hosting a ‘pink’ coffee morning on Friday, October 30 from 9.30am until 12.30pm at the library in the Hall Croft. Coffee, tea, biscuits and cakes can be purchased on the morning.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer and one woman in nine will be affected by it during her lifetime in the United Kingdom. All the money raised at this event will help support ‘researching the cure’ for Breast Cancer Campaign.

Judith Neville, Library Manager, said: “Wear it Pink is a fun and simple way to raise funds for research into breast cancer, so please join us on Friday, October 30.”

For further information see – www.leics.gov.uk/shepshed_library

Health Checks at Syston Library

Charnwood Borough Council and Leicestershire Libraries have teamed up to create a healthier and hopefully more active community.

A qualified fitness instructor from the Active Together Team will be conducting free health checks at Syston Library on Thursday 8th October, 19th November and 17th December between 1.30pm and 4pm. The health checks include measuring body fat percentage, weight, blood pressure, body composition, basal metabolic rate, muscle mass and total body water percentage.

To take advantage of this offer book a free health check by contacting Syston Library on 0116 305 3500 or for more information about Syston Library visit our website www.leics.gov.uk/systonlibrary

A FEAST of family fun in Leicestershire Libraries

Children and their parents are invited to take part in a Wriggly Feast at Syston Library as part of this year’s Family Learning Festival 2009. Children under 5 years and their adults can drop in to Syston Library on Saturday 17th October 2pm – 2.30pm or Monday 19th October 10am – 10.30am and join in with these special food themed Wriggly Reader sessions.

Families will also have the chance to win a Nintendo Wii Fit by creating a favourite family recipe and entering the countywide competition.

The Family Learning Festival provides a range of exciting opportunities for families to learn together in an informal setting. Families can discover new skills, develop new interests and expand their knowledge in ways that may whet their appetite for further learning in the future.

A full programme of Feast events and details of the family recipe competition will be available from Leicestershire libraries and on the website www.leics.gov.uk/flf from September 16th.

Older person’s day

Fleckney Library is hosting an ‘Older Persons Day’ on Tuesday 5th May 2009 from 10am until 4pm at the Community Centre on School Street.

Local providers of services to older people and their families/ carers are keen to talk to the residents of Fleckney and the surrounding area about their services and how they can be accessed.

Service providers attending on the day will include;

• Lifeline alarms, enabling older people to retain their independence and enjoy the comforts of their own home,
• Signal Bus: a ‘bed-sit on wheels’ demonstrating aids and equipment for memory loss,
• Befriending service,
• Carers forum, Transport & social car scheme,
• Shopmobility
• And many more.

Why not take advantage of a free health check with Harborough District Council’s physical activity coordinator or just relax and enjoy a cup of coffee and a biscuit.

Library staff will be on hand throughout the day to talk about library services for all older persons such as the home delivery library service. This free service gives those who want to read but are physically unable to get to the library due to age, sight, mobility problems etc the opportunity to have books delivered to their home by a library volunteer.

All in all it’s set to be an informal but very informative event and we are looking forward to welcoming you on the day.

Fleckney Library

Fairtrade fortnight at Hinckley Library

Hinckley Library is inviting people for a hot drink to celebrate Fairtrade Fortnight. Tea and coffee will be served from 10am to midday on Tuesdays, February 24 and March 3, at the library in Lancaster Road.

On February 24, the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Jeff Bannister, will also be attending the Wriggly Readers session for children aged under five and their carers. He will be handing out Fairtrade bananas supplied by the Heart of England Co-operative Society and the Hinckley and Bosworth Fairtrade Forum.

Ernie White, Leicestershire County Council Cabinet member for Community Services, said: “I am delighted that Hinckley Library is supporting Fairtrade Fortnight. I encourage people to come along and enjoy a hot drink, learn about ethical trading and find out what their library has to offer.”

During Fairtrade Fortnight, which runs from February 23 to March 8, the library will also have a display to enable visitors to find out about Fairtrade in the Borough of Hinckley and Bosworth.

For further information contact Hinckley Library

Focus on Healthy Living

If your New Year’s resolution is to get fitter and healthier then Leicestershire County Council’s libraries can help you. Libraries have books and information to help everyone change to a healthier lifestyle. Libraries across the County have books on healthy eating, exercise and fitness as well as local walks and keeping children healthy.A new webpage, Focus on Healthy Living, highlights useful websites that give information and tips for a healthier lifestyle. For those who want to take it one step further, libraries can provide information about local clubs and courses.

To find out more, see www.leics.gov.uk/focusonhealth or visit your local library.