Relax

Branches of Shropshire Libraries to accept returns!

Shropshire Libraries currently remain closed in line with national guidance, but for one week beginning Monday 29 June 2020, the six largest libraries will be accepting returns of books and other library items that have been on loan.

In order to facilitate the safest possible reopening, for one week beginning Monday 29 June 2020, a book returns service will be offered by the libraries in Shrewsbury, Oswestry, Ludlow, Whitchurch, Market Drayton, and Bridgnorth.

Book returns will be accepted between 10am and 2pm from Monday to Friday (not Wednesday at Whitchurch; not Thursday at Market Drayton, Ludlow or Bridgnorth). Social distancing measures will be in place and customers will not have access into the library buildings themselves.

This will enable returns to be quarantined for 72 hours as advised by Public Health England’s National Infection Service.

The latest Government announcement indicates that public libraries will be allowed to start reopening in Step 3 of the lockdown easing plan from Saturday 4 July 2020 or onwards.

In resuming face-to-face services the priority will be the safety of customers, staff and volunteers, with measures that include social distancing, frequent cleaning of surfaces and limited services overall.

Library e-resources can be found here https://www.shropshire.gov.uk/libraries/libraries-from-home/

Coronavirus: Shropshire Libraries’ Arts Award is now online

Arts Award is a set of qualifications for children and young people that gets them involved in, and excited about, the arts and culture. On completion, children will be awarded a certificate from Trinity College London, who manage Arts Award, in association with Arts Council England. Now available in both Discover and Explore levels, Shropshire Libraries’ Arts Award has moved online, and you can now sign-up.

To support children’s continued learning and engagement in the arts, Shropshire Libraries are offering the opportunity to work towards Arts Award Discover and Explore from the safety of your home.

The Discover level qualification is designed for children ages 5-9, and Explore level for ages 7-11; although any young person up to the age of 25 can take part.

You will create online portfolios through a secure web platform to complete their qualification. In your portfolios, you will show evidence of; taking part in art activities of your choosing, finding out about artists and their work, and sharing with others what you have learned and enjoyed. Explore participants will also create a piece of art.

To support the Arts Award qualification, Shropshire Libraries Arts Award team have put together a package highlighting relevant e-books, e-magazines and arts and cultural websites. A highlight of this package are links to local arts and cultural organisations such as Shropshire Museums, who have created a selection of short videos and worksheets featuring objects and artworks held in the Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery collection.

To find out how to sign up to Arts Award Discover or Explore and the costs of taking part visit the Shropshire Libraries website or contact artsaward@shropshire.gov.uk. To find out more about Arts Award visit https://www.artsaward.org.uk/

Share a Mindful Moment with Shrewsbury Museum & Art Gallery

Shropshire Museums are launching a ‘Mindful Museums’ project and want you to take part.

The museums team have produced a series of short videos offering you a mindful exploration of artworks and objects held in the collection of Shropshire Museums. The videos are accompanied by a restful audio track by artist & educator Lindsey Kennedy, which encourages you ‘ to look, to breathe and to be curious’.

The first videos of the series feature a blue and white Caughley china tea pot, a beautiful oil painting of an English garden and a silver Roman mirror from Wroxeter.  A selection of activity sheets to support each video have been produced to help viewers get started with their own creative projects. The videos are available via the museum’s YouTube channel.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCv8uWJJHMgh6QeLWFta5ArA

The museums team are calling for listeners to spend a relaxing moment viewing the videos and to share their creative response using the hashtag #mindfulmuseums #museumfromhome and tagging in @shrewsburymuseum @shrewsmuseum

People participating in ‘Arts Award’ offered by Shropshire Libraries can also access the videos and activity sheets to help them complete their award.

Editor’s Note: I found the teapot video very relaxing!