Identity - Who do you think you are?

Who do you think you are? 

If you’ve ever watched the TV show with that title, you’ll know it focuses on folk who are in the public eye and explores their identity through their ancestors, taking us on a timeline journey to see some of their family history and give a glimpse of their cultural, social and economic heritage. 

  

But how do we define ourselves? What does ‘Identity’ mean to you? 

  

This November our Reading for Pleasure theme is precisely that: IDENTITY 

The books and resources we have chosen this month reflect some of the different ways we think of ourselves when considering what makes us the person we are. Sometimes we will identify with a certain group and feel that it gives us a sense of belonging; at other times we feel our identity is what makes us unique, different from those around us. 

Here’s a taste for what you might find in our campus library displays during November. 

Bedford:

Luton:

Black History Month 2022

This month we are celebrating black history month.  We have displays available at our Luton, Bedford and Aylesbury libraries.  Please come along and have a look and see what books we have on display. 

Aylesbury library:

Bedford library:

 

Luton Library:

      

For the full list of books chosen you can access the Black History Month 2022 reading list here:

http://readinglists.beds.ac.uk/lists/56D72089-788E-35EE-CD3F-50B96C78F776.html

The Observer

This year our display features an article from The Observer, twenty contemporary writers of colour recommended 20 classic books.  We are proud to have 16 of the 20 books chosen available in our library collections.

To read the full article including the reviews, please click on the following link:

https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=sso&db=edsbig&AN=edsbig.A677804311&authtype=sso&custid=s5099118&site=eds-live&scope=site

Jean-Michel Basquiat

We also feature the artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988) who rose to fame in the late 70s, early 80s.  His work featured a mixture of media, such as drawing, painting, text, image and poetry.

Basquiat made a lasting impact on the neo-expressionism art movement.  His art focused on dichotomies such as wealth versus poverty, integration versus segregations and social commentary.

Books that we have available on Basquiat can be found on the Black History Month 2022 reading list.

Proud to be black

Carly Ramirez-Herelle, Head of Library Services also features in the Universities ‘Proud to be Black’ initiative. 

 

 

 

 

 

To see what the University are featuring this year and to read her interview along with other students and staff, please click on the following link:

https://www.beds.ac.uk/news/proud-to-be-black/

Genre Fiction August 2022

 

Genre Fiction

There are many different genres in fiction such as romance, crime, science fiction and historical. Why not surprise yourself by trying something different. We have a variety of titles in the University of Bedfordshire libraries, however, there are also plenty of options for reading online and borrowing from local libraries.

ENJOY

Lifelong Learning

During the month of June our display looks Lifelong Learning, practising mindfulness and re-energising. Lifelong Learning is described as ongoing, self-motivated, voluntary learning for personal or professional growth. 

Our displays explore the lifelong learning such as University of the third age, Mature students, Ruskin College, Open University Prisoners Education trust, National Retraining scheme and the learning available specific to Bedford: The Rothsay Education Centre, whihch offers courses for the over-50s that run from Ancient Greek and politics to the more usual watercolour classes and walking groups. High quality tutors are hired to provide courses for this fee-paying membership establishment.

Bedford campus 1st floor display

Mindfulness; a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

Mindfulness: Bedford campus

Practise Mindfulness and energise the mind and body through different and accessible means; enrol on a course, download an app, find and follow a free exercise video on YouTube

The University’s own Re-energise programme is designed to support a healthy body and a healthy mind. 

Are you affected by low mood, mild to moderate anxiety, social anxiety or low self-esteem? Do you want to do something that may help you feel better? Improve your ability to study effectively? Take control of your life?  Enrich your relationships?  Find out more at:

UOB re-energise

Fika is a Mental Fitness app that offers a range of different courses that helps to improve and maintain several areas of your mental health, including: positivity, stress, confidence, focus, meaning and motivation – alongside developing tools to take charge of your life to improve and build up connections with others. 

You might want to try out one of the 24 instructor-led videos created by fitness experts via the NHS

There are exercises to tone your abs, arms and raise your heart rate. 

Workouts for new mums, Wake up! workout,  yoga, belly dancing - to name a few.

See what a few minutes a day can do for you and your wellbeing today!

From Stress to Success

In May we are promoting books and resources to help you maintain a positive and healthy approach to your studies. We recognise that, with assignment deadlines and exams approaching, May can sometimes seem like a stressful month for students. We want to encourage you to take a break and build some downtime into your days enabling you to maintain a positive outlook and some perspective. We have free fruit available in Luton and Bedford libraries on Wednesdays to encourage you to eat well. There are also mindfulness colouring sheets available to give you a relaxing break. Pop in and see our displays to pick up some helpful tips to lead you from Stress to Success.

The Future We Choose

Let's talk about our home.

Planet Earth. 

It’s big, it’s beautiful, and it’s biodiverse. 

But it’s changing. It’s getting warmer, and the planet’s natural resources are being used up. The BBC states that –  

“World temperatures are rising because of human activity, and climate change now threatens every aspect of human life. Left unchecked, humans and nature will experience catastrophic warming, with worsening droughts, greater sea level rise and mass extinction of species. We face a huge challenge, but there are potential solutions.” What is Climate Change. A Really Simple Guide (BBC) 

This month, our theme for Books Unlocked is “The Future We Choose”. We’re going green and sharing books and resources on sustainability and climate change - just in time for Earth Day on the 22nd April! Protecting our planet and its inhabitants is indeed a huge challenge, and it may seem like an overwhelming task. But if everyone focusses on helping in their own way, then together, we can make amazing things happen.  

There’s only so much we can do as individuals. And much of the change needs to come from governments and large corporations. But as a collective, we can make an enormous difference, and our efforts can influence the actions of those in power. Together, we can choose what our future will be. 

We hope that by making use of these resources this month, you’ll come away more informed and with some ideas on how you can help – your way. 

Check out these links to learn more about sustainability, how climate change affects us and our planet, and what you can do to help! 

 

 

The Problems 

 

What is Climate Change (BBC) 

Find out what climate change is, and how it’s affecting us now and how it is expected to affect us in the future. 

 

WWF How Big Is Your Environmental Footprint 

Find out what your environmental impact is with this short quiz from WWF. 

 

What Is Your Diet’s Carbon Footprint 

Find out the climate impact of what you eat and drink! Are beans better than beef? Does a bowl of rice produce more climate warming greenhouse gases than a plate of chips? Is wine more environmentally friendly than beer? Pick a food or drink and find out it’s carbon cost is. 

 

How Much Warmer is Your City? 

The world is getting hotter. Find out how much the area around your city has already warmed - and what may lie ahead. 

 

Displacement  

The climate crisis that we are facing displaces people from their homes. Find out more about how it is affecting people around the world.  

 

Before The Flood 

Documentary film. Actor Leonardo DiCaprio meets with scientists, activists and world leaders to discuss the dangers of climate change and possible solutions. 

 

The Solutions 

 

Earth Day 2022 

Earth Day has been going for over 50 years and its mission is to “diversify, educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide”. Find out more about Earth Day and it’s work on the website. 

 

12 Ways to live more sustainably 

A handful of effective and easy to follow tips to help you to live more sustainably and help the planet. 

 

Find out if your local MP is voting FOR or AGAINST the climate 

Our individual actions are important. But the biggest changes need to come from our political leaders. Search your local MP and find out if they’re voting for or against the climate. 

 

10 Upcycling Ideas to turn your rubbish into useful items 

Keeping waste from ending up in the bin is a great way of living more sustainably and keeping our home tidy. Check out these ideas for turning your trash into treasures! 
 

Ecosia 

Want an easy way to live more sustainably? Ever heard of a search engine that plants trees?! Replace your usual search engine with Ecosia to start planting real trees for free! 

 

UK Student Climate Network 

Find out about the student-led movement formed to raise awareness and send a message. 

 

Veganuary 

Many choose to try a vegan diet to contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. Veganuary is a charity that works all year round to help people eat more sustainably, with information, advice and recipes. 
 

Reuse, Reduce, Recycle 

Reuse – refill bottles at refill stations and fountains rather than buying new ones, use reusable cups and containers. 

Reduce – Avoid buying new things if you don’t really need them, buy second hand where possible, opt for products that use less packaging like loose-leaf tea and digital products. 

Recycle – Don’t bin, recycle! But only if it can be recycled. Check the packaging and your local council website to see what can be recycled. Opt for products that come in recyclable packaging. 

Refill stores are a great way of following these ‘three Rs’ and reducing waste. Check out this directory of refill stores around the UK and see if there’s one near you! 

 

University of Bedfordshire Sustainability 

Read up on what University of Bedfordshire is doing to be sustainable. 
 

People & Planet University League 

How sustainable is your university? Find out where University of Bedfordshire ranks on the People & Planet University League! 

 

Greenpeace – How to Talk About Climate Change with Friends and Family   

Greenpeace shares with us how to have an open and respectful climate conversation with your friends and family. 

 

How to Save a Planet Podcast Calls to Action & Resources 

A curated list of actions that you can take from the How to Save a Planet podcast. 

 

Before The Flood Action List 

A curated list of actions that you can take to help the cause.