Bedstime Reading: 2019

Friday 15 November 2019

November 2019 - Science Fiction

“Science fiction or sci-fi is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes and extra-terrestrial life. In the library we have books from the War of the Worlds by H.G Wells where earth is invaded by aliens, The Martian by Andy Weir where an astronaut struggles to survive being abandoned on Mars, to the truly wondrous stories within The Weird: a compendium of strange and dark stories”.

Wednesday 16 October 2019

Books Unlocked October 2019 - Black History Month

Please look out for the displays at Bedford and Luton Campus Libraries

Friday 13 September 2019

Books Unlocked September 2019 Travel

This month's theme is Travel please look out for the displays at Bedford and Luton

Wednesday 10 July 2019

Books Unlocked - Summer Reads

The new children's laureat has devised a 10 point plan to get children reading. Its being shared here for interest. In addition this could easily apply to everyone. What do you think?

Cressida Cowell's 10-point plan for children

1. Read for the joy of it

2. Access NEW books in schools, libraries and bookshops

3. Have advice from a trained librarian or bookseller

4. Own their OWN book

5. See themselves reflected in a book

6. Be read aloud to

7. Put a book down if they're not enjoying it

8. Be creative for at least 15 minutes a week

9. See an author event at least ONCE

10. Have a planet to read on

Books Unlocked - Summer Reading

The displays in our libraries offer some great suggestions for Summer Reads why not borrow one and see what it like?

Tuesday 4 June 2019

Books Unlocked June 2019 - Nursing

This month we present the 100 years celebration of the Royal College of Nursing, exploring the role of nurses and nursing in the history of medicine and public health.

In 1916, nursing was an unregulated profession, in 1919, the Regulation of Nurses Act was passed which meant that all nurses had to learn the same subjects and meet the same standards. From 2009, nursing became an all-degree profession, meaning that all student nurses are now educated in universities.

During the 18^th century there was only one type of nurse but today students can choose from one of the main four fields of nursing: adult, children’s, learning disability, mental health and midwifery nursing or health care assistants.

It was during the Crimean War (1854-1856) that nursing began to be seen as a suitable occupation for women and this was partly due to the rising fame of Nurse Mary Seacole followed by the popularity of Florence Nightingale during wartime in the 19^th century. However, it was during the First World War that the demand for nursing services with nurses working on the front line gave the appropriate recognition to the profession.

Bedford Library

Wednesday 8 May 2019

Books Unlocked May 2019 - Study Happy – positive mind, positive body

Study Happy – positive mind, positive body

Exams, dissertations, final assignments…it is a busy and potentially stressful month. We want to help you to keep positive at this challenging time. We have Study Happy displays and resources at both Luton and Bedford libraries, including free fruit giveaways every Wednesday.

There is bubble wrap to pop if you want a break from studying and Luton library has created a small chill out area with adult colouring pages and origami.

Bedford library has a de-stress time on Thursdays -

Connect and Chill 12.30-2.30pm on the ground floor, Bedford library. Station offering free tea, coffee and hot chocolate and a chat. Run by SeedBeds.

Mindfulness 1.15-1.55pm in the Teaching Practice Room, 3^rd floor. Led by Nicola Smith

We also hope to encourage you to have a more positive attitude to your body, with displays on body image. This ties in with Mental Health Awareness Week – 13^th - 19^th May. Body image issues can affect all of us at any age and we hope to highlight this and promote positive body image.

Have a happy, healthy, busy month of May!

Bedford Library

Luton Library

Monday 1 April 2019

Books Unlocked - April 2019 - World Book Night

World Book Night 2019.

The clocks have gone forward, spring is in the air and it's time again for our annual celebration of World Book Night. Held nationally every year on April 23rd (Shakespeare's birthday), World Book Night is a great opportunity to spread the joy and share the benefits of reading.

This year in our Bedford and Luton campus libraries we have the brand new World Book Night recommended titles on display, offering you a wide variety of genres and topics to lose yourself in or relieve assignment and exam stresses. In Bedford, previous year's books are also being showcased along with the titles we hold that have won some of the various literary prizes.

In addition to the huge range we have to offer, to celebrate World Book Night Bedford, Luton and Aylesbury are also holding an exciting BOOK GIVEAWAY on Monday 29th April. Come along to one of the libraries from 10-4 for a chance to pick up a brand new copy of Himself by Jess Kidd, kindly donated by the publishers and World Book Night organisers, The Reading Agency. We have 160 copies in all so first come, first served! We will also have pre-loved books to giveaway, all donated by fellow staff and students.

If you have a book or books you have previously enjoyed and would like to pass on for someone else to enjoy, feel free to leave donations with staff at one of the libraries.

Happy Reading and Happy World Book Night!

Bedford Library

Bedford Library Staff

Luton Library

Friday 15 March 2019

Books Unlocked - March 2019 - Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking

Cyberbullying and Cyberstalking

Cyberbullying and cyberstalking is becoming increasingly common in the digital age. Cyberbully is bullying that takes place online. It includes sending, posting or sharing negative, harmful, false or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone. Cyberstalking is the repated use of electronic communication to harass or frighten someone, a group or an organization. A cyberstalking may be someone the victim knows or an online stranger. Cyberstalking is a crime.

Our display highlights this worrying trend and gives you insight on protecting yourself online, being aware of your digital footprint and information from the National Centre of Cyberstalking Research based at the University of Bedfordshire.