National Year of Reading: Mind and Body
May's theme is Mind and
Body. This month’s theme celebrates the link between
reading and health. By providing reliable health related resources
your library service helps to promote healthy living in the
local community. Reading also allows you to relax and get away from
the stress and strain of everyday life.
Online Resource Spotlight: Gale
Virtual Reference Library
Our 24 Hour Library allows Vale of
Glamorgan Library members to view a range of information books and
resources online. Many of these databases can be accessed from any
internet PC when you type your library card number. Each month we
will spotlight one of these resources to tie in with the NYR
theme.
This month we spotlight the
Gale Virtual Reference Library. This is a
database of encyclopaedias, almanacs, and specialized reference
sources for homework, research or basic facts. It includes a large
selection of health related books such as:
The Illustrated
Encyclopedia of Body-Mind Disciplines. Nancy Allison,
(Editor)
Introduces various programs and
activities designed to awaken the links between mind, body, and
spirit, including sensory therapies, subtle energy practices,
massage, movement therapy methods, martial arts, yoga, meditation,
and creative arts therapies.
Gale Encyclopedia of
Alternative Medicine by Jacqueline L. Longe (Editor)
This book presents authoritative
and balanced information on numerous alternative medical techniques
for maintaining health and treating disease. It covers herbal
supplements, homeopathic remedies, and other alternative therapies
in separate entries.
The following schemes are offered
by our library service:
Book Prescription
Scheme
This scheme enables GPs and health
care professionals to prescribe books to patients with mental
health problems that are specifically chosen for patients to give
them both guidance and a deeper understanding of their condition.
The books will be available to borrow from all our libraries,
regardless of whether the patient is already a library member. This
scheme has been funded the Welsh Assembly Government.
Child and Family
Bibliotherapy Scheme
A similar scheme has been set up to
prescribe relevant self-help books to children and their families.
Under the Child & Family Bibliotherapy scheme, any child who
has an emotional and psychological problem can get a 'book
recommendation' from their GP, health visitor or school nurse, take
it to their local library and borrow a self-help book that the
whole family can work through. The recommended books cover a wide
range of issues including anger, bereavement, bullying, confidence
and self-esteem, divorce, sibling rivalry and managing
behaviours.
Suggested Reading:
- Anxiety Toolbox by Gloria Thomas
- Complete Family Guide to New Medicine edited by Prof. David
Peters
- Defying Age by Miriam Stoppard
- French Women don't get Fat by Mireille Guiliano
- The Food Bible by Judith Wills
- Life Makeovers by Cheryl Richardson