Introducing the University’s Wellbeing book collection

Letters on a board spelling 'Don't panic' in white capital letters on a pink background.

Our wellbeing collection may be able to help

Thanks to a generous donation from the Alumni and Supporter Engagement Team, the University Library has been developing a collection of books and e-books that fall under the general wellbeing category. We hope this will be of benefit to as many students and staff as possible – and be used in conjunction with all the other support services available at the University.

A stack of brightly coloured books

We have a wide range of books about wellbeing to choose from

Students and staff have been providing recommendations for this collection throughout 2022, helping us to make it as broad as possible. We have bought 100s of items on topics from mindfulness and mental health to student life and resilience. From stress and anxiety to autism and ADHD.

Take a look at the list of everything we’ve purchased so far –  Wellbeing books 2022.

 

It is a living and growing collection so if you spot an area that you think is missing, or can recommend a book that has helped you, it’s not too late to add to the collection. Simply fill in the book details on this suggestion form.

 

You may find a useful gem that could inspire you or help you get back on track. There are so many fantastic books that can provide all sorts of help, but don’t forget our brilliant Counselling and Wellbeing service based in the Carrington building on Whiteknights campus. They work throughout the year to help with a wide range of issues. The service offers support including one-to-one (either face to face, on the phone or over Teams), groups, workshops, online guidance and onward referrals to other support services, and is open to all registered students (undergraduate or postgraduate) at the University, free of charge.

Counselling and Wellbeing service – A guide to accessing the service.

 

Tim Chapman

Diversity and Inclusion Lead

University of Reading Library, September 2022.

Library staff recommend diverse reads for Empathy Day

With Empathy Day on the 9 June and the end of term on the horizon, the Library’s Diversity & Inclusion group have been dipping into some of the good reads purchased from our Diversity and Wellbeing funds to see what life feels like in someone else’s shoes.

The right sort of girl, by Anita Rani

Chosen by Sharon Hill, Collections Services

Sharon says: You may know Anita Rani, presenter of Countryfile and Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour among other things. But how well do you really know her? What was it like growing up in a Sikh household in Yorkshire but being the only Punjabi girl at school? How did she navigate being too ‘gori’ (white) at home but too ‘brown’ at school? This book is full of good advice, immense humour and conveys the warmth and love of a Punjabi community as well as the hopes, expectation and dreams placed upon the shoulders of this second generation British Indian. It took me back to my school days and helped me understand the path trodden by my Sikh best friend.

 

 

That’s the way I think, by Dr David Grant

Chosen by Tim Chapman, Academic Liaison Librarian

Tim says: This book is written with great empathy. As a non-dyslexic reader, it really helped me to understand a range of difficulties that people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, and ADHD diagnoses encounter – beyond just reading. It takes a holistic approach across these conditions and I feel it makes a pretty good stab at attempting to encourage people with neurodiverse conditions to embrace, and understand themselves – treating these conditions not as learning difficulties but as the very things that make them unique, and who they are.  It’s written in a non-academic way with lots of personal experience and anecdotes. Fascinating stuff.

 

 

 

Small Island, by Andrea Levy

Chosen by Sharon Hill, Collections Services

Sharon says: Returning to Britain after fighting with the RAF in the Second World War, Gilbert Joseph doesn’t find himself feted as a hero by his beloved Mother country – quite the reverse!  Turned down for jobs and accommodation he finds post-war Britain a shabby, decrepit and prejudiced country.  If you want some idea of the experience of the Windrush generation, you can do no better than read this compassionate account of post-war immigration.

 

 

 

Want to recommend a title to diversify our collections? Find the link under the Books tab of any of our Diversity LibGuides or contact your Academic Liaison Librarian.

Library Diversity & Inclusion Group

Library website migration

The Library webpages have moved over to the University’s new content management system (CMS) – you may already be familiar with the new interface as many areas of the University website have already been migrated.

Partial image of the new Library website.

The migration means that the look and feel of our webpages have changed, but access to all our guidance, resources and other information should remain available. If you can’t find the information you’re looking for, please email us at library@reading.ac.uk so that we can help you stay on track with all your information needs.

Your Library team

Library staff recommend some diverse reads!

The long, wintry days provide an ideal opportunity for some recreational reading so Library staff have provided some personal recommendations for some of the books purchased recently using the Library’s Diversity fund:

Rainbow Milk, by Paul Mendez

Cover of "Rainbow Milk"

Chosen by Sharon Hill, Collections Services

The story of Jesse McCarthy; a young, black Jehovah’s Witness from Wolverhampton.  Jesse is also gay; a total no-no in his religion.  After being cast out from his faith and a pariah in his family home, he travels to London in search of a new life, a new community and a new purpose.

Sharon says: I was very moved by this book. Despite his conflicting feelings, Jesse’s irrepressible spirit shines through and he finds self-acceptance and joy against the odds.

 

 

 

A Room Called Earth, by Madeline RyaCover of "A Room Called Earth"                        

Chosen by Sue Crawford, Library User Services

A neurodiverse young woman’s experience of a party.  Minutely attuned to those around her, she alternates between profound connection, alienation and being overwhelmed.

Sue says:  “Touchingly written insight into the highs and lows of compulsive attention as the main character gets ready for a party and the experience of it when she gets there. Her back story is revealed along the way.”

 

 

In Black and White, by Alexandra Wilson

Cover of "In Black and White"

Chosen by Tim Chapman, Academic Liaison Librarian

Alexandra Wilson, a newly qualified barrister, gives a real and personal perspective on what it’s like being a mixed-race woman at the bar. It’s a fascinating read – compelling, worrying and surprising. Not all is right with our Criminal Justice System, but somehow Alexandra strikes the right note in making us understand that people like her can make a difference.

Tim says:  “Compelling writing that doesn’t get bogged down in legal jargon. If you want to know what life is really like for a young, mixed-race woman working in the law, go no further. I couldn’t put it down.”

Want to recommend a title to diversify our collections? Find the link under the Books tab of any of our Diversity LibGuides or contact your Academic Liaison Librarian.

Library Diversity & Inclusion Group

Black History Month 2021- Race & Ethnicity Libguide

This October, we are launching a new guide. 

University of Reading Black History Month graphic, square box made up of black background with flashes of red, yellow and green, with white text. White clenched fist outline on yellow and black background.

Black History Month 2021– there’re lots of activities on offer at the University of Reading

The Race and Ethnicity Libguide covers a wide range of academic disciplines such as sociology, culture, languages, heritage, and many other subjects too.  

This guide will introduce you to some of key resources the Library can provide and will point you towards other relevant online resources and libraries. 

We have lots of new books for you to explore. Many of these titles are relevant to UK Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) experiences but there is also a wide selection relating to International experiences. Look at the Books tab to see newly published and seminal resources that are available from the Library to help you build on your knowledge and understanding of BAME dialogues.  

Books on shelves, purple pillar, grey carpet

What would you like to see on our shelves?

 

Have you heard about our fund to help to Diversify the collections

 

The section on ‘Diversifying our collections’ will help build your understanding of this movement- why it matters and what you can do to help. 

 

If you want help finding out more about BAME academics here at the University of Reading, have a look at the Further Resources tab to see a list of some of the recent research outputs by BAME staff. You can also search for publications about race and ethnicity in the research repository, centAUR. 

 

If you have an idea for a resource you’d like to see listed, please get in touch. We hope that you will find this guide useful.

 

Your Library Team

 

Black History Month 2021- Race & Ethnicity Libguide

This October, we are launching a new guide. 

University of Reading Black History Month graphic, square box made up of black background with flashes of red, yellow and green, with white text. White clenched fist outline on yellow and black background.

Black History Month 2021– there’re lots of activities on offer at the University of Reading

The Race and Ethnicity Libguide covers a wide range of academic disciplines such as sociology, culture, languages, heritage, and many other subjects too.  

This guide will introduce you to some of key resources the Library can provide and will point you towards other relevant online resources and libraries. 

We have lots of new books for you to explore. Many of these titles are relevant to UK Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic (BAME) experiences but there is also a wide selection relating to International experiences. Look at the Books tab to see newly published and seminal resources that are available from the Library to help you build on your knowledge and understanding of BAME dialogues.  

Books on shelves, purple pillar, grey carpet

What would you like to see on our shelves?

 

Have you heard about our fund to help to Diversify the collections

 

The section on ‘Diversifying our collections’ will help build your understanding of this movement- why it matters and what you can do to help. 

 

If you want help finding out more about BAME academics here at the University of Reading, have a look at the Further Resources tab to see a list of some of the recent research outputs by BAME staff. You can also search for publications about race and ethnicity in the research repository, centAUR. 

 

If you have an idea for a resource you’d like to see listed, please get in touch. We hope that you will find this guide useful.

 

Your Library Team

 

Highlighting our LGBT+ resources for Pride month!

Image shows a crochet cactus in a Pride rainbow striped pot.

Moss the Pride cactus (they/them) crocheted by Academic Liaison Librarian, Ruth (she/her).

As we come to the end of Pride month, we just wanted to remind you that our LGBT+ Libguide will be here all year (Library resources for researching LGBT+ related topics).  It’s a really great starting point to learn more about LGBT+ issues.

If you can help us to futher diversify our Library collections, please submit a suggestion for purchase from the Library Diversity Fund. This was created to help us to continue to build and diversify our collections. You can see all the Diversity titles purchased in current and previous academic years on our dedicated Library Diversity fund reading lists.

(If you would like to suggest other items for the Library, please complete our regular book suggestion form.)

Meanwhile, we’re introducing you to Moss the cactus, wearing their crocheted rainbow pot … with great Pride.

Ruth Ng, Academic Liaison Librarian for Henley Business School

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

May 17 is International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia aka ‘IDAHOBIT’ Day.

Rainbow flag flapping in the wind with blue skies and the sun

The LGBT+ Libguide (Library resources for researching LGBT+ related topics) is a really great starting point to find out more about LGBT+ resources (https://libguides.reading.ac.uk/LGBT)!

Are you are interested in helping to continue to diversify the Library collections? If so, why not submit a resource suggestion?

The Library Diversity Fund, was created to help ensure increasing access to knowledge and resources about intersections and protected characteristics. This means that we can continue to build the collections, specifically in areas that are currently underrepresented in the Library.

Visit the official IDAHOBIT website today https://may17.org/ to find out more about how you can develop awareness and celebrate diversity.

 

Emma Allison, Library User Services