This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and there’s no better time to celebrate the calming power of gardening!🌱👨🌾
Being around plants helps you switch off, slow down, and take a breather from the rush of everyday life🤌
Yesterday, @seftonlibraries welcomed a SEND class from @waterlooprimaryschool for a hands on gardening session, all about growing their own fruit and veg. Gardening truly is for every age and ability👏🍓
In just a few weeks, we’ll be able to enjoy the delicious produce they’ve grown!👀
If you’re thinking about getting into gardening, explore the garden spaces at our libraries, send the library team a DM, or pop into your local library for more info📚🪻
Archive spotlight! 🔦
Once a month we'll be digging into our extensive local history archive to uncover fascinating photographs, flyers, books and objects, let us know in the comments if there's anything you're particularly interested in 👀
Pictured this month is a beautifully hand-drawn 21st birthday card to the library service from an Edwin A. Wells in 1958! We love the detail and colour on this one.
Stay tuned for more!
There are 103 people currently on apprenticeships in a range of roles with Sefton Council. 🛠️🪴📘
Apprenticeships provide work-based learning programmes which lead to nationally recognised qualifications. They learn on the job, building up knowledge and skills whilst earning money at the same time.
Each year all councils in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are encouraged to send their apprentices, to take part in the Local Government Apprentice of the Year.
This is an opportunity for apprentices to learn, network and showcase their skills, expertise, and initiative. By working in virtual teams they experience the opportunities, risks, and challenges involved in delivering successful local government services, in a developmental environment.
Sefton Libraries wish all apprentices taking part the best of luck!🍀
#LGapprentice2026
This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, and we’re sharing some simple ways to look after your mind, along with support available across Sefton 🫶
🗣️ @seftonfamilyhubs are here for children, young people and their families to make life that little bit easier. Pop in to your local Family Hub for a chat with our friendly teams, find your nearest one through the link in their bio!
📚Head to your local @seftonlibraries to grab a new read and switch off from the busyness of day to day life. Research shows as little as six minutes of reading can reduce stress levels by up to 60%, lower heart rates and ease muscle tension.
🐚Get outdoors and enjoy the Sefton Coast or green spaces around the borough. Walking and fresh air can really help clear your mind.
🤸Move your body by visiting your local gym or joining a group class with @active_sefton - Exercise is a great way to de‑stress and boost your mood!
🧠You can also find support at Sefton In Mind. @seftoncvs
Sefton In Mind brings together organisations across the borough to help improve mental health and wellbeing, with support available for a wide range of needs 💚
Head to the 'Sefton in Mind - Mental Health Support' option in our bio.
💫 It's Mental Health Awareness Week this week!
From 11th-17th May the theme is 'action', @mentalhealthfoundation encouraging communities and individuals to take action, however small, to do something tangible with our awareness and work in a preventative way wherever possible.
To start celebrations for the week, hear from new Mental Health Practitioner in Residence: Ellie Douglas. Here she is chatting about her experience as an art therapist, why she's excited about working with us and what she's looking forward to most, taking action with creativity to support mental wellbeing in our libraries.
Episode 4 of the Tales from the Stack podcast has been released! The Pinnacle of Teacake Technology! You can listen on the following platforms;
On Spotify
/episode/3Nfa0et0JePsbZLvwlmAKb
On Apple Podcasts
/us/podcast/episode-4-the-pinnacle-of-teacake-technology/id1850680768?i=1000766624789
On YouTube
/watch?v=VmEY7ByncC4
In this episode, Alison interviews local crime author and psychological therapist Sarah Mellor about her DS Leigh Borrowdale series of books and her memories of her local bookmobile. Gordon and Dan tackle Tunnock's Teacakes in Biscuit Hour (not an hour) and we find out what shiny new fiction is coming to your local library this coming month. Stay till the end to see if you guessed correctly in this episode's two truths and a lie.
Dying Matters Awareness Week 2026 takes place from the 4-10 May and this year's theme is 'Let’s talk about Death and Dying'.
Sefton Libraries has many stories that offer a way to open up a conversation with loved ones about this topic. 'Mum's Jumper' by Jayde Perkin tackles the journey and emotions of a young girl and her father as they grow around their grief. A simple and heartfelt book for anyone coping with loss.
#dyingmatters #talkingmatters #dyingmattersawareness
A Huge Thank You to Ann 💐
Since 2022, Ann has been a shining star at Netherton Library, giving her time, energy, and kindness to our community. We’ll miss her so much, but wish her all the luck in her new role — they’re lucky to have you, Ann! 🌟
Found In Translation! - international shared reading at Bootle & Crosby Libraries 📖
Have you always wanted to explore stories, poems and books from around the world, hear new languages spoken aloud and connect with new people in your community?
'Found In Translation' is the perfect place to do so, running on the 3rd Thursday (11am-1pm) in Bootle Library and the first Wednesday (2:30 - 3pm) in Crosby Library!
There's no need to read anything in advance, and sessions are open to all in the community.
To book, follow the link in our bio, or email [email protected] if you have any more questions or access needs.
@thereaderorg
Our Manga of the Month is Full Metal Alchemist by Hiromu Arakawa. ⚔️🪄🔴
A classic manga that delves into the magical but often twisted world of alchemy. As Edward and Alphonse Elric dabble in this power to grant their dearest wish, they lose far more than they bargained for. As they seek to regain what was lost, Edward becomes an agent of the government. He must use his powers to follow orders, investigate in secret and protect his friends from ruthless enemies.
Browse our full selection of manga titles at:
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Come with us to the regional conference for @librariesconnected North West! A day to celebrate libraries and explore how we can continue to evolve, grow and thrive 📚🌱
Libraries from around the region gathered at @manclib_archives where we were treated to informative, passionate and inspirational talks from author, illustrator and animator @curtis.jobling , President of @librariesconnected Ed Jewell, Director of libraries at @aceagrams Luke Barton, and head of libraries, galleries and culture for Manchester, Neil MacInnes.
We also enjoyed creative workshops, a highlight was making sauerkraut with the help of @at.the.library_ !!!🥬
Thank you to everyone that made this day of creativity, learning and reflection possible 🩷
