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Edinburgh Napier University

Category: Awareness

Merchiston Library and information

International Day of Universal Access to Information

28/09/2024 / / 0 Comments

International Day of Universal Access to Information

Universal access to information is not only recognised as possessing great significance worldwide, but is also viewed as a fundamental right protected by many constitutions across the globe. Access to information encourages transparency, democracy and progression. It also allows the public to hold public authorities and constituencies to account as well as allowing for informed debates and negotiations to occur, thus being more productive in practice. In today’s digital era today, it empowers individuals and groups across the world and fosters innovative practices and actions. The promotion of inclusivity, social progression, and the encouragement of informed negotiations, cannot be understated.

Background…

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) officially proclaimed the 28th of September as the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). This was declared on the 17th of November 2015 in recognition of the importance of universal access to information and the right to seek, receive and transmit information. Four years later, the International Day for Universal Access to information was also proclaimed on the 28th of September on a UN level by the 74th UN General Assembly in October 2019. From 2016 onwards, the International Day for Universal Access promoted by UNESCO had already spanned across roughly 26 countries around the world.

The International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) primarily promotes a worldwide commitment to ensure that individuals and groups across the globe can feasibly access, search for and openly communicate information. The right to universal access to information greatly coincides with the right to freedom of the press. As the media relies on the feasibility of receiving and seeking out information to provide the public with crucial updates or information about issues of interest. Another relevant act is the Freedom of Information Act (FOI), enacted in over 70 countries across the globe and enshrined in constituencies in over 80 countries overall.

The Freedom of Information Act (FOI)…

The Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOI) allows for citizens to access information held by public authorities. It does this by enforcing that public authorities publish certain or significant information about their activities as well as allowing for members of the public to request information from public authorities as a given right. The Act itself covers all information recorded and held by public authorities and institutions throughout England, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as UK-wide public authorities in Scotland. The key principles of the FOI act are as follows:

  • All individuals and groups have the right to access any information which is made official.
  • Applicants and requesters are not required to provide a reason behind their wish to access official information. Anyone can also make a freedom of information request without having to be a UK citizen or resident. Any refusal made toward a freedom of information request must be justified.
  • All freedom of information requests must be treated equally albeit situations involving vexatious requests or personal data. This also means that any information disclosed is information you would disclose to any other patron or group that asked for it.

    Digital Access and Poverty…

    Our digital era has made information more easily accessible than ever. And more so with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and e-governance which can be utilised to conquer the digital divide by providing tailored and accessible content. At the click of a button, individuals can find and gain access to information. Information regarding public authorities and government services. This is essential for maintaining a fair and equitable society. However, digital poverty remains a significant issue worldwide. In some areas and regions. According to the Digital Poverty Alliance website, 26% of young people do not have access to a laptop or relevant device. 53% of people also cannot afford an average monthly broadband bill. Digital exclusion and poverty, if unaddressed can have a detrimental effect on economic, financial circumstances of individuals and societies as well as exacerbating linguistic, racial and gender issues.

    How the library can help…

    Our libraries have a wide range of physical and digital resources and devices which can help you access all of the essential information you will require for your course and university career. As well as our physical resources and books, you can find many online versions and digitised copies of resources within our collection through LibrarySearch (exlibrisgroup.com). You can also find all of the information you may need when using our campus libraries through Library (napier.ac.uk).  In need of a laptop to access this information and our online resources? Our lapsafe laptops  can be loaned out to patrons for a maximum of 14 days before they have to be returned.  Our lapsafe lockers located in each campus library, the JKCC and Bainfield student accommodation. If you think you need a laptop for longer, we also have our Digital Access Scheme. Find out more about our laptop loans at Laptops to loan (napier.ac.uk).

     

    Further Reading…

    Freedom of information – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com) – Available at Merchiston.

    An open Scotland: freedom of information: a consultation – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com) – Available at Sighthill.

    Freedom of information manual – Edinburgh Napier University (exlibrisgroup.com) – Available at Craiglockhart Law Hub.

     

    More resources can be found in Craiglockhart Law Hub and through Librarysearch.

     

    By Rachel Downie

     

    Read about the library and information.

     

     

     

Rain on the high street

St Swithin’s Day

15/07/2024 / / 0 Comments

.St Swithin’s Day

Today is Swithin’s Day. Today determines what the weather will be for the next 40 days.

Who is St Swithin

St. Swithun (also known as Swithin) was an Anglo-Saxon Bishop of Winchester from 852 – 862. He died on 2nd July 862 AD.

Not much is known about St. Swithun’s life. He was well-known for giving gifts to others and building churches. And built a stone bridge over the River Itchen to allow the poor to cross the river and sell their wares in the town.

He has only one miracle attributed to him. An odd one of repairing broken eggs which were dropped by a woman crossing the bridge. He would hear the woman crying and repaired the eggs immediately.

St Swithin in Norway

St Swithun is also honoured in Norway. He is commemorated at Stavanger Cathedral. The Catholic Church in Stavanger is also named after him. In Norway St. Swithun’s Day is celebrated on the 2nd of July, the date of his death. St. Swithun requested that he was to be buried outside the church so parishioners could walk on his grave and the rain would fall on it. However, the Bishop of Winchester, and Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, declared that Swithun was to be the patron saint of the restored Winchester Cathedral. Swithun’s body was moved from the church grounds and was interred in the new Cathedral on 15th July 971. Legend has it that a huge storm followed. Raining for forty days after his body was moved, suggesting that St. Swithun was unhappy with being moved from outside the church.

The weather of St Swithin’s Day

St. Swithun is probably best known for a British weather proverb.  It says that if it rains on St Swithun’s Day, it will rain for 40 days.

The St. Swithun’s Day Rhyme:

St. Swithun’s day if thou dost rain, 

For forty days it will remain, 

St. Swithun’s day if thou be fair, 

For forty days ’twill rain nae mair.

 

According to the Met Office, there has never been 40 dry or 40 wet days following St. Swithun’s Day since records began in 1861. So it seems unlikely that it will happen any time soon!

Keep an eye on the weather.

Another fun Day of the Year: Bakewell Tart Day.

Photo by Sarah (Unsplash) 

Gulten free bread

Coeliac Disease Awareness Month 2024

15/05/2024 / / 0 Comments

Coeliac Disease Awareness Month 2024

Coeliac disease is recognised as a serious autoimmune condition affecting 1 in 100 people throughout the UK. But it may be the case that approximately 7 out of 10 people are undiagnosed. This could mean a staggering half a million people are suffering from symptoms with the cause being unknown. Throughout the entire month of May this year, the charity Coeliac UK aims to find these individuals and assist them with managing these symptoms whilst raising awareness of the condition itself.

Symptoms and Signs…

The NHS website lists a range of both gut-related and more general symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is diarrhoea, which results from the small bowel (intestines) struggling to fully absorb nutrients (malabsorption). Some other gut-related symptoms also include bloating, recurring pain in the abdomen, constipation, being sick and indigestion. If left untreated, the coeliac disease will not allow the body to digest food properly which can lead to more general symptoms such as sudden weight loss and fatigue (extreme tiredness).

Other more general symptoms can also include:

  • Dermatitis herpetiformis, which is deemed to be an autoimmune reaction to gluten does not always evolve from coeliac disease primarily but can be a symptom of the condition, nonetheless. It is an itchy and often painful rash which causes blisters to emerge on any area of the body.
  • Fertility issues and difficulties getting pregnant.
  • Numbness and a tingling feeling in the hands and feet (also known as peripheral neuropathy).
  • Ataxia, which is an issue with coordination and balance.

Triggers for coeliac disease…

Gluten is recognised as a huge trigger for symptoms of coeliac disease. Gluten itself is a structural protein which is found in certain grains such as wheat, rye and barley, and is what gives bread and baked products a soft and chewy texture. One of the substances which makes up gluten, named gliadin, is what triggers an abnormal immune system response in individuals with coeliac disease as the immune system will misinterpret the substance as a danger to the body. As a result, antibodies emerge which lead to inflammation of the surface of the intestines. This disrupts the villi (known as tube-shaped growths) around the surface area of the gut and makes it more difficult for them to aid with digestion.

It remains unknown why many people end up with coeliac disease, and why some people experience more severe symptoms than others as well.

A gluten-free diet…

Coeliac disease is mainly managed and treated by avoiding foods which contain gluten. It is recommended by the NHS that those following a gluten-free diet should not eat the following foods unless it is stated on the labelling that the specific food item is a gluten-free version.
• Pasta
• Gravies
• Cereals
• Cakes and pastries.
• Biscuits and cookies
• Crackers
• Pizza and pies
• Bread

• Sauces including soy sauce and some pasta sauces

Living with Coeliac Disease…

There is no doubt that living with coeliac disease and managing symptoms can be very challenging. There is a wide range of support available for those diagnosed with coeliac disease or who suspect they may have the condition. This includes:

  • Make an appointment with a dietician who can help with putting together a step-by-step plan for cutting out gluten from your diet and adopting a gluten-free lifestyle.
  • Joining the Gluten-Free Food Service. More information is available on the NHS Inform website through the following link: Gluten-free Food Service.
  • Information and support sites, charities, and organisations such as Coeliac UK. More information is available on Coeliac UK’s website about local support groups.
  • The Gluten Free Scanner App.
Some gluten-free brands…
  • LazyDay: Specialises in a range of gluten-free, milk-free, egg-free and vegan cakes and confectionery. Some of their products are in  Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Morrisons and Ocado.
  • Garofolo: A brand which offers a range of gluten-free pasta options. Available through Amazon and in Ocado.
  • Bread brands such as Schar and Dillon. These are available to order online and are available in some selected stores.
  • GO-FREE Cereals which are available in supermarkets such as Sainsburys, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Ocado and the Co-op.

For more information:

Check out some of the library books and ebooks. Links  below:

Read about colour blindness day 

Photo by Wesual Click 

By Rachel Downie

Mer wellbeing Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week

13/05/2024 / / 0 Comments

Mental Health Awareness Week

When was the last time you went for a walk, run or swim? Danced to your favourite song? Flew a kite? Strolled through the park and stopped to smell the flowers? We suggest that now is a good time: the sun is shining*, the city’s gardens are in full bloom, and you’d be amazed at how much of a tonic even a tiny bit of physical activity can be.

It’s with this fact in mind that the Mental Health Foundation has chosen “movement” as their theme for this year’s mental health awareness week, 13-19 May.

You don’t have to run a marathon or bag a Munro. We’re not even suggesting a couch-to-5K.  A gentle walk around the block, a spot of gardening or even a few stretching exercises can be enough to make you feel better. It releases those “feel good” hormones, gets your circulation going, stretches the muscles, aids your digestion and improves your sleep. All these factors play into mental well-being.

Mental Health Foundation | Everyone deserves good mental health

And if today you find that you’re not feeling so great, and even the idea of getting out of the house is too much, know that you’re not alone. Health in Mind is a local organisation that is there for you. Give them a call:

Health in Mind | Homepage (health-in-mind.org.uk)

And remember that we are here for you too!

Wellbeing Support and Inclusion (napier.ac.uk)

We’d love to see you in our libraries. Drop into our relaxation zones and check out our well-being resources.

Relaxation Spaces (napier.ac.uk)

Online Relaxation Space

Home – Wellbeing Collection – LibGuides at Edinburgh Napier University

*true at the time of writing, but this is Scotland so we can’t guarantee it’s true today.

By Lesley McRobb

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