Access to knowledge, information, learning and community
I love libraries and for all that they stand for - access to information, resources and knowledge for the curious seeker.
Humans are naturally curious - you only have to look at infants and the way they have this natural push to explore the world around them. That urge never goes away - it's just whether it's allowed to be present and the relevant muscles used to keep this curiosity going.
Saturday 6 February is National Library day and it's a great way to celebrate both its function as well as its necessity in modern life.
I am a great believer in the importance of acquiring relevant knowledge from all sorts of viewpoints, in order to be able to make good decisions and become more aware. Without having the underlying information and background subject material, it can be difficult to reach a place knowing the whole situation has been assessed from all sorts of perspectives, and then to be able to take these into account.
That's why libraries are so important for me - simply because so much of that information is available and accessible by all and not simply the privy few.
For me, that is the power of knowledge - to be able to affect change by being informed.
Looking back over my own career and education, I am indebted to what a library has given me, and continues to:
A space to explore the world
Being surrounded by a whole assortment of books is like a Wonderland for me.
All these inspiring authors who bring life to so many ideas and subjects, and to present them in book form where I can get access to these worlds in ways I might never have or be able to. Also, all the work that goes into providing these ideas in accessible formats is just amazing for me.
Access to information and resources
The mere fact of having access to information and resources in whatever forms - be it books, maps, records, plans, online access to the internet - is just so important.
There was no way my parents could have afforded all the text books I needed during my formative education. Yet, at that time, my local libraries in Erdington and Birmingham city centre offered me that crucial accessibility which I will always be thankful for.
My current local library is Nottingham's Central Library and it's an absolute goldmine for me. (http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/centrallib).
When studying for my MA in Jungian Psychotherapy and Healing Practice, it was at this library that I turned to for the majority of my book resources and support from librarians. I was able to locate the majority of texts I needed to use which was both astounding and a relief. I recognized its value more once realising the struggle that many of my course peers had with accessing resources.
A safe space to think, to process, to be
For me, there is something very special about libraries. A welcoming calm and quiet respectfulness for time and space I think qualities are those held by its resources and somehow extends into its atmosphere.
For this past month, Floor 3 has been my haven.
Using this space to work through my own processing has been so important, and it's provided me with the safe space where I have been able to. A safe familiarity with its infrastructure and staff, a sense of reliable continuity in its providing a quiet space for study, reading and contemplating for any one and everyone. Just perfect.
A place to share ideas - a way to break social isolation
For the past 2 years, I have been extremely lucky to have been invited to offer my workshops on Health and Well-Being during Mental Health Awareness Weeks in May and October/November.
http://www.mhaw.org.uk/2015posters/MHAWeventsinlibrariesprogramme2015.pdf
The setting is perfect for people to come together and debate/discuss - in this case, so many different aspects of physical and psychological health - as well as have the opportunity to check out facts. My workshops covered stress, mindfulness, challenges of menopause and self-esteem, and all of these subjects provoked such powerful engagement that was truly amazing. The library setting provided this exchange to happen and for people to meet who otherwise would not have.
The most significant aspect to emerge from these workshops was the importance of engagement that helped to break isolation and dis-empowerment. Watching the reactions of those listening to individuals sharing their experiences was very powerful - an affirmation that 'It's not only happening to me...." was enough to get passions raised and crucial exchange/debate happening.
So let's celebrate what libraries give all of us - a chance to be able to learn, grow, think and question the world we live in - thus satisfying the innate human quality of being a curious seeker and to keep those muscles strong!
Saturday 6 February is National Library day and it's a great way to celebrate both its function as well as its necessity in modern life.
I am a great believer in the importance of acquiring relevant knowledge from all sorts of viewpoints, in order to be able to make good decisions and become more aware. Without having the underlying information and background subject material, it can be difficult to reach a place knowing the whole situation has been assessed from all sorts of perspectives, and then to be able to take these into account.
That's why libraries are so important for me - simply because so much of that information is available and accessible by all and not simply the privy few.
For me, that is the power of knowledge - to be able to affect change by being informed.
Looking back over my own career and education, I am indebted to what a library has given me, and continues to:
A space to explore the world
Being surrounded by a whole assortment of books is like a Wonderland for me.
All these inspiring authors who bring life to so many ideas and subjects, and to present them in book form where I can get access to these worlds in ways I might never have or be able to. Also, all the work that goes into providing these ideas in accessible formats is just amazing for me.
Access to information and resources
The mere fact of having access to information and resources in whatever forms - be it books, maps, records, plans, online access to the internet - is just so important.
There was no way my parents could have afforded all the text books I needed during my formative education. Yet, at that time, my local libraries in Erdington and Birmingham city centre offered me that crucial accessibility which I will always be thankful for.
My current local library is Nottingham's Central Library and it's an absolute goldmine for me. (http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/centrallib).
When studying for my MA in Jungian Psychotherapy and Healing Practice, it was at this library that I turned to for the majority of my book resources and support from librarians. I was able to locate the majority of texts I needed to use which was both astounding and a relief. I recognized its value more once realising the struggle that many of my course peers had with accessing resources.
A safe space to think, to process, to be
For me, there is something very special about libraries. A welcoming calm and quiet respectfulness for time and space I think qualities are those held by its resources and somehow extends into its atmosphere.
For this past month, Floor 3 has been my haven.
Using this space to work through my own processing has been so important, and it's provided me with the safe space where I have been able to. A safe familiarity with its infrastructure and staff, a sense of reliable continuity in its providing a quiet space for study, reading and contemplating for any one and everyone. Just perfect.
A place to share ideas - a way to break social isolation
For the past 2 years, I have been extremely lucky to have been invited to offer my workshops on Health and Well-Being during Mental Health Awareness Weeks in May and October/November.
http://www.mhaw.org.uk/2015posters/MHAWeventsinlibrariesprogramme2015.pdf
The setting is perfect for people to come together and debate/discuss - in this case, so many different aspects of physical and psychological health - as well as have the opportunity to check out facts. My workshops covered stress, mindfulness, challenges of menopause and self-esteem, and all of these subjects provoked such powerful engagement that was truly amazing. The library setting provided this exchange to happen and for people to meet who otherwise would not have.
The most significant aspect to emerge from these workshops was the importance of engagement that helped to break isolation and dis-empowerment. Watching the reactions of those listening to individuals sharing their experiences was very powerful - an affirmation that 'It's not only happening to me...." was enough to get passions raised and crucial exchange/debate happening.
So let's celebrate what libraries give all of us - a chance to be able to learn, grow, think and question the world we live in - thus satisfying the innate human quality of being a curious seeker and to keep those muscles strong!