Saturday was the annual National Libraries Day though events weren't limited to just the one day. The idea is to promote libraries and encourage people of all ages to use their local library.
Our local library in Kendal has recently had a major refurbishment and until Sunday we hadn't had a chance to check out the changes. From the outside it still looks like a traditional library with its design from 1909:
However on the inside it is very modern with a large range of books for everyone plus computer terminals, comfy seating and a coffee machine!
I was wanting to try out the library Sunday book club as recommended by the librarian at my school. We were discussing Good Omens which is by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman. I had to take my children along but the library was an ideal place for this. One librarian suggested that my daughter go on one of the computers (she is 9 so just over the age to be unsupervised in the library) so she was happy. My son was in a corner of the library close to me and another librarian dug out a story sack of Where the Wild Things Are and he was happy making the toys fly over the book racks, not sure that's what the librarian intended! So I could relax and discuss the book. We went home with a plentiful supply of new library books and my son wasted no time in reading to me:
So as a family we all love our local library and we will be back again very soon. Do you use your local library?
I have been thinking about how I can fit in the campaign to save libraries from their threatened closures and the main theme of my blog this month health and fitness! Here are a few reasons why libraries are good for your health:
Mental Health
Reading a good book whether factual or fiction is good for your brain and your mental well being. You can escape from the stresses and strains of your life with a novel and if you use your library you can keep on borrowing more at no cost.
Fitness
Walk or cycle to your library each week when you go to return your books. A little bit of exercise added to your day will help towards improving or maintaining your general fitness and health. As a child I used to love walking to the library on a Saturday morning to get new books. And of course if you borrow your full allocation in hard backs you can add in some weight lifting too! You may also be able to borrow a fitness DVD to try it out for a week at a reasonable rate - better than buying one then finding its useless.
General Health
If you are looking for advice on diet, health and fitness then browse the library. There are plenty of books giving information on all of these. Borrow one and see it if works for you - you may find you end up buying a copy!
What other ways do libraries help us improve and maintain our health and fitness?
