Unusual Improbable Libraries

Libraries just don't seem to be dying out despite all the predictions otherwise.  In fact, they seem to be popping up everywhere in all sorts of places and styles.  

Check out the link below for some of the more 'improbable' libraries seen around the world. This has been taken from a book with the same title by English journalist Alex Johnson.  

It all goes to show that the Library is a very adaptable artefact that apparently has no intention of being killed off any time soon - and is a definite testament to peoples ideas and ingenuity.  

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/latenightlive/the-world%E2%80%99s-most-improbable-libraries/6483292

Enjoy the long weekend - only one more left in the year after this one so make the most of them. Judging by the weather, a good book or two and a great coffee or hot chocolate would probably be the way to go.

Reasons for Reading

My offering for today is a list of websites with reasons as to why we should be reading everyday - and why it is SO important.  For most of us, the benefits are self -evident, but it is always an issue to convince student's as to the value of reading. 

By this I mean REAL reading, rather than what they do on a computer.  There are various different types of reading and all are valid - but to be able to read well and with understanding, from a computer screen, you do need to have reading skills to start to start with.  

Apparently,  the Silicon Valley people who design computers, quite often won't have their kids in a school that uses the things!  Whether this is actually true or not is debatable - but I can appreciate the reasons why.  

Their reasoning is that learning to use computers is about as complicated as learning to use toothpaste - so they want their kids to have the opportunity to gain a variety of skills and to be able to think outside the square. People that have this ability are very much in demand in almost any workplace.

These are not skills that can be gained from computers or TV - but are absorbed through books - the old fashioned print and pages style - which leads on to a better development and strengthening of their neural pathways.

Anyway, enough of my soapbox.  Take a few minutes and have a look - then be sure to make time for 'strengthening your neural pathways" this weekend.   Or just grab a good coffee and a good book and take some time for yourself. Either way it works.  

http://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/10-benefits-reading-why-you-should-read-everyday.html

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-athletes-way/201401/reading-fiction-improves-brain-connectivity-and-function

https://selfhelpfix.com/benefits-of-reading.php

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-reading-reasons-reluctant-readers-rebecca-alber
http://www.inspirationboost.com/8-reasons-why-reading-is-so-important