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Edinburgh Napier University

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Comic Relief (Red Nose Day)

Comic Relief (Red Nose Day)

Comic Relief (Red Nose Day) is back on Friday the 17th , and you can find more information on how to get involved below:  

https://www.comicrelief.com/rednoseday 

 

Comic Relief was originally founded in 1985 by Screen Writer Richard Curtis and British Charity Worker Jane Tewson. It is an annual campaign to end child poverty throughout the world, aiming to keep children safe, healthy, and educated. Comedian Lenny Henry introduced the first night in 1988 and from then on it has revolutionised fundraising in other shows like the Comic Relief British Bake-off. 

 

Red Nose Day 1988 (Griff Rhys Jones, Lenny Henry and Jonathan Ross)

Red Nose Day 1988 (Griff Rhys Jones, Lenny Henry and Jonathan Ross)

Even celebrities such as Mr. Blobby and Joanna Lumley have come together to support the charity! Every year many more celebrities get involved to raise awareness and money. 

But why do people wear red noses for Comic Relief?  

The Red nose is the symbol of comic relief, worn to raise awareness of the campaign. The first design was introduced in 1988 and each year the designs are updated. The noses are now 100% plastic-free, made from bagasse which is a dry fibre after sugar canes are crushed for their juice. Each year there are different designs and this year you can find key rings, badges and even water bottles with exotic animals like flamingos and sloths! 

Last year, over 55 million pounds was raised for Comic Relief in the UK. So, to help raise money this year you can fundraise online, host a quiz or game, donate to dress up (perhaps fancy dress), bake some delicious cakes, or buy a red nose from your local Sainsbury’s! 

By Jemma Lidgard

 

Pi Anyone? International Pi Day

Pi Anyone? International Pi Day

The 14th of March is International Day of Mathematics and International Pi Day.

What is International Mathematics Day?

On the 26th of November 2019 UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation) decided March the 14th should be declared the International Day of Mathematics.

The main purpose of the day was to celebrate and highlight the importance of Mathematics. Making people aware mathematics is everywhere and used in everyday life, as well as in specialist industries.

Prior to the birth of International Mathematics Day, the 14th of March was International Pi Day. Continue reading

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

Neurodiversity Celebration Week is on the 13th – 19th of March this year and is a wonderful chance to embrace and learn about neurodiversity.

The term Neurodiversity encompasses a wide variety of neurological differences. The brain can be wired in a multitude of ways. This leads to many variable and complex possibilities for processing and understanding information. Although the use of labels is not always important, many in the community use the term “neurodiverse” to refer to people who may identify as having Dyslexia, DCD (Dyspraxia), Dyscalculia, Autism and ADHD.

Although often the focus is on the challenges associated with being Neurodiverse, there are also many strengths. Therefore, Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a chance for us to focus on the fantastic talents and special gifts that Neurodiversity can also give individuals.

Did you know people with ADHD are often highly creative and great at thinking outside the box? Autistic individuals can be incredible at spotting patterns and details often missed. Oh and we can be funny. Check out comedian Hannah Gatsby and her incredible standup. Not to mention fantastic actors, The renowned Anthony Hopkins is Autistic. Oh and don’t forget the incredible Chris Packham who not only has a brilliant career working with animals but does amazing work helping others in the community. This week join us outside of the box and learn about how great being neurodiverse can be!

Continue reading

Women’s History Month 2023

Women’s History Month 2023

It’s Women’s History Month 2023. It is celebrated throughout March to highlight the often overlooked contributions that women have made in history and modern times. It is celebrated in March to coincide with International’s Women Day which is celebrated on the 8th of March. According to legend, it coincides when a group of women from different factories in New York City went on strike to demand better working conditions and the right to vote (Britannica.com). Another story is that honours women striking in Petrograd which coincide with the beginning of the Russian Revolution (ibid).

Themes

There are different themes each year to the celebration. In the United States, the theme this year is to celebrate women who in storytelling. A theme to highlight the ‘achievements of these powerful women who have used their voice and creativity to inspire, educate, and entertain people across generations all over the world’(International Business Times).

While here in the United Kingdom, the theme is Embrace Equity. Equity being the quality of fairness and impartial and is a must have in today’s world. According to International Women’s Day.com, the reason for the theme is to spark a discussion of ‘why equal opportunities aren’t enough.  People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action (InternationalWomen’sDay.com) In the their words ‘We can all truly embrace equity. It’s not just something we say, It’s not just something we write about, It’s something we need to think about, know, value and embrace. It’s what we believe in, unconditionally. Equity means creating an inclusive world’.

Additional Reading

We hope you have had a chance to celebrate Women’s History this month. Each of our libraries have a display for more information and books for further reading. As well as finding more on our library catalogue

You can read about our previous posts here

Photo Source: Library of Congress

Celebrating International Women’s Day

 Celebrating International Women’s Day

Inspiring women of Scotland

Celebrating International Women’s Day in Scotland,  we thought it might be nice to pay homage to some incredible Scottish women both alive and sadly gone. We can only fit in a few here so if you are interested in learning more, why not look up some more information at librarysearch.napier.ac.uk

Christina Miller

Photo of Christina Miller

Source: Heriot Watt University

One little know Scottish woman whose story deserves to be better remembered is Christina Miller. Despite being born female and hearing impaired in 1899, and later losing her sight in one eye, she battled against the norms of the time to become a respected analytical chemist. In addition, she was an inspirational teacher and mentor to generations of students.

Miller was awarded the Keith Prize by the Royal Society of Edinburgh for her scientific paper on phosphorus trioxide. She became one of the first 5 women to be elected to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. There is even a building at the University of Edinburgh named after her.

Photo of Mukami McCrum

Source: British Library

Mukami McCrum

An all-round amazing person, Mukami McCrum has lived in Scotland most of her life. Mukami fights for women’s rights, in particular BAME and LGBT women who need support from domestic abuse. Furthermore, she is one of the founders of Shakti Women’s Aid and campaigns to end Female Genital Mutilation.

She was the chief executive of Central Scotland Racial Equality Council and has brought her deep commitment to race and gender justice to many organisations, including Akina Mama wa Afrika, World Council of Churches, and Responding to Conflict Trust. She has an MBE for her community and human rights work.

Continue reading

National Bed Month

National Bed Month

March is National Bed Month so what better time to remind you how important it is to get enough good quality sleep – especially with dissertation deadlines looming and exams imminent. Countless studies show that getting enough sleep is essential for maintaining optimal health and well-being. Like exercise and a balanced diet, sleep may help prevent a range of health issues, including heart disease and depression.

As a student you may not feel that sleep is something to prioritize. You have course work, social events and perhaps a part-time job to fit in to your busy schedules, so missing out on a few hours’ sleep doesn’t matter, does it? The consequences of poor-quality sleep or sleep deprivation include:

  • Irritability 
  • Daytime fatigue
  • Increased anxiety 
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Lack of creativity
  • Negative impact on your overall mental health

Staying awake for 18 hours can have the same effect as a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.05% which is the same as the Scottish drink drive limit. Staying awake for 24 hours can equate to a BAC of 0.10% which is well over it.

How to get some quality sleep

Although many studies argue that 8 hours sleep is recommended for adults, it is actually the quality of your sleep that is vital. This means you need to stick to a regular sleeping pattern to ensure that you get enough REM (rapid-eye movement) or ‘dream’ sleep.

So how can you do this?

  • Consistency-try going to bed at the same time and waking up at the same time each morning
  • Make sure your bedroom is quiet and at a comfortable temperature.
  • Remove electronic devices an hour before you want to sleep.
  • Exercise during the day.
  • Avoid alcohol, caffeine or large meals before sleeping.
  • Structure your day and plan ahead of your exams, assignments and due dates and activities so you don’t end up cramming or working late into the night.

The benefits of a good night sleep

Because there are many benefits to getting enough good quality sleep it’s a no-brainer that you should be prioritising sleep to maximize results. Benefits to students from a good sleep include:

  • Sharper brain 
  • Increased productivity
  • More positive mood
  • Stress reduction
  • Boosted immune system

Taking these active steps to promote healthy sleep should help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and get a more restorative sleep.

You can use Library Search to find books and articles on sleep deprivation and the benefits of sleep.

If you feel you need some guidance on how to better your study routine, some tips are provided in the link provided below:

https://www.grb.uk.com/blog/five-productivity-upgrades-to-your-university-routine

You can read our post of National Sleep Day from 2022 

By Vivienne Hamilton

Photo by Liz Vo 

Changes to the spaces at Craiglockhart library

Changes to the spaces at Craiglockhart library

We have made some changes to the library spaces at Craiglockhart campus over the past few months. By removing unused bookshelves at the rear of the library the area is now much more open and the space is being used more effectively.

The relaxation space has been made larger and is brighter and less confined. There are lots of helpful books and posters promoting relaxation, taking time out from your studies and de-stressing. Look out for our different suggestions throughout the year from birdwatching to beachcombing. We have provided some new games, non-academic books and origami paper. We have increased the amount of seating and returned the cushions and throws to the area.

Shelf Help

Our shelf help books are now in a dedicated space making them easier to find.

The jigsaw tables have been moved away from study spaces and there are extra puzzles to help complete.

There are 4 new single study booths and 2 extra round tables for groups, along with some new social seating. All these spaces are available on a first come first served basis so if you think you would like to use any of them, arrive early as they are proving popular!

PCs

Along with the changes to the library spaces some of our PCs now have dual monitors.

We hope you like the changes and think the new spaces are useful, and please remember, your feedback is always welcome.

We have access to shelf help through our blog https://libguides.napier.ac.uk/shelfhelp

And more information on Craiglockhart library https://my.napier.ac.uk/library/about-the-library/craiglockhart

 

LGBT+ History Month 2023

LGBT+ History Month

LGBT+ History Month and the Library

As we approach the end of February, we are coming to the end of LGBT+ History Month. While the book displays may come down, we would like to stress that this is not a monthly note in our calendar. We are an ally 365 days of the year, please browse our LibrarySearch catalogue for further reading.  Also in addition, we have our virtual bookshelves https://blogs.napier.ac.uk/library/virtual-bookshelves/ and a reading list over at our LibGuides page https://libguides.napier.ac.uk/wellbeing/sexuality

We want the library to be a safe and inclusive space for all our users. 

We are currently working on decolonising our reading list which we hope will be published soon. 

Continue reading

Pets of the Library Part 2

Pets of the Library Part 2

After the last few years of remote working and with staff working more from home now, meeting their feline companions during online meetings has been so much fun. Little furry faces and tails have often popped up mid-way through a very important discussion. Many of our staff have loved being able to spend more time with their creatures of choice; I know I love having a friendly work buddy to hang out with at home during the workday.

So to celebrate this year’s International Love your pet day we think it would be nice to introduce you all to some of our furry friends.

Continue reading

Love Your Library Week

❤Love Your Library Week, 13-17 February ❤

Love is in the air this week! To celebrate Valentine’s Day, why not drop by the library and help yourself to some love heart sweets until stocks last.  Leave us a little note telling us what you love about the library or what we can improve. We love getting feedback!

Library Information

Information on all the services the Library provides can be found on the My Napier Library Webpage.  Useful information includes opening hours, how to search for and borrow books, using our Click and Collect service, and how to order Inter-Library Loans. As well as finding information relevant to your subject area using our Subject Guides. And much much more. Have a little browse.  Additionally, if any important updates come in about the library, you will find them there.

My Napier Library webpages

 Library resources

One of our best resources is LibrarySearch.  We love to boast about it but we may be biased. It is the quickest and easiest way to search across our three libraries for the books and online resources you require. You can find hundreds of thousands of ebooks and subscription resources online without leaving your home. It really is that amazing.

Don’t forget, if you have any questions about the library, you can contact us via email at library@napier.ac.uk or call us on 0131 455 3500. We are here to help.

by Sarah Jeffcott

You can read about our previous Valentine’s Love your Library event here.

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