Keep Well Campaign

Keep Well Campaign
Stay at Home Library
Everything is free and you can join the library online on the library website at www.longfordlibrary.ie.
Call 043 334 1124 Monday - Friday from 9am - 5pm.
Online Services
- Thousands of the world's most popular newspapers and magazines on PressReader
- A huge selection of eBooks and eAudiobooks on BorrowBox
- All the latest eMagazines on RB Digital
- Over 100 language courses through Transparent Languages
- Almost 500 online courses with Universal Classs

Family Time at Your Library
Our annual Family Time at Your Library programmes takes place during the month of December. The aim of this programme is to support the involvement of the whole family in children's reading. We will have online storytime with familiar faces and we will be sharing tips on encouraging reluctant readers. Would you like to be one of our reading champions for the month? If so send us a video of your family reading a short story together and we will post it on our social media channels. We would love to get stories in lots of different languages. We will also be looking forward to a visit from Mrs. Claus... all the way from the North Pole... nothing is going to stop her making her annual trip to Longford! We can't wait to see her again!
Online Tutorials, Talks & Videos
Keeping Connected
Staying connected with people and addressing isolation as person-to-person connection is important to our wellbeing.
Using Technology to Keep People Connected for Adults
Basic Digital Skills Training for beginners with Siobhan Grealy: learn how to keep connected online. Workshops tailored to the individual needs of clients.
These workshops are facilitated by tutor Siobhan Grealy on MicrosoftTeams, ZOOM andvia videos on the Library YouTube and Facebook.
Civil Defence are co-ordinating leaflet drop, packs and assisting the vulnerable in our society.
History and Heritage
County Longford Decade of Centenaries 4th-25th November.
The month of November is designated History month in County Longford and for anybody with an interest in history especially what was happening in County Longford 100 years ago in November. Ypiu can download the full programme from www.longfordlibrary.ie
TTRS for Children
We are delighted to announce the roll out of TTRS to our Library Members. TTRS is a highly accessible, multi-sensory course that teaches touch-typing, reading and spelling at the same time. TTRS allows children to improve their reading and spelling skills.
To sign up for TTRS please contact your local Library.
Science Week: Cool Science Experiments
For all our budding Scientists: tune in and learn how to make slime and magic potions! From November 8th to 15th.
Coding Classes for Children with Siobhan Greally
Coding Classes with Siobhan will take place online through Zoom. For details of upcoming classes please contact your local library branch.
Online Quizzes for Children
Fun online quizzes for all the family. How well do you really know your books? Find out with our fun quizzes!
Book Reviews
Have you enjoyed a good book lately? If so write a review of no more than 150 words and submit it to gmilner@longfordcoco.ie. Remember to include the author and title of the book and how many stars you would give it out of five. We also need your name, age and address and we would love a photo. Your review will be posted on our website. There will be a draw at the end of the year and one lucky child will win a National Book Token.
Switching Off
Switching off and being creative or learning something new, getting back to nature and finding ways to relax can help our general wellbeing.

Flower Arranging and Winter Gardening for Adults with Florist and Gardener Mary Holmes
Mary will help us create some unique and traditional festive flower arrangements to make our homes sparkle this winter season. If you are craving to spend some time outdoors there is still plenty to do in the garden during the winter months.
Mary will guide you through pruning, planting, tidying and helping wildlife in your garden.
Art
Learn to paint in watercolour with artist Mary Gray
Mary will be inviting people to join her watercolour art class every week commencing Tuesday October 26th
Music and Singing: music and singing creates a sense of belonging and participation.
Angela Reynolds Music Director will bring us on a weekly nostalgic trip down memory lane through favourite songs we all know and love. You can sing along to songs from Percy French, Padraic Colum, Delia Murphy, gospel music and much more. Everybody is invited to join in every Wednesday at 4pm for the next 6 weeks live on Facebook and YouTube. You can send your requests for your song choice to Angela at angelareynolds1@gmail.com or you can telephone your request to 043331124.
All you have to do is tune into Longford Libraries Facebook or YouTube.
Storytime for Children
Join us for weekly stupendous storytimes with your favourite Storytellers! Check the Longford Libraries Facebook pages for more information.
Storytelling and Songs for Babies and Toddlers with Penny Farrell
Get cosy and enjoy a fun storytime and singalong with Penny. Penny is a Speech and Language Therapist and will also be giving tips on speech and language development for babies and toddlers. This will be taking place online every Tuesday for four weeks beginning on Tuesday November 24th at 11am.
Online Arts and Crafts for Children with Stella
Join Stella from Lanesboro Library. Explore your creative side and learn how to make fabulous Winter and Christmas crafts!
Every Monday at 3pm during November and December on the Lanesboro Library Facebook page.
Eating Well
By nourishing your body and mind we can positively impact our physical and mental wellbeing.

Eating healthily is a huge part of looking after our general health and keeping ourselves well.Cooking simple nutritious meals for ourselves and our families is the best way to ensure that we meet all our nutritional needs to stay healthy.

Please see below links to Safefood.eu with lots of practical eating resources for healthy and nutritious foods:
- The 101 Square Meals recipe book
- 10 ways to keep active and healthy at home
- Family meal plans for three weeks
- Healthy snack ideas
- 6 One Pot Dinners (How to make: Chicken casserole, Thai green chicken curry, Beef stew, Beef casserole, Chicken curry, Pork stir fry)
- 7 Easy recipes (How to make: porridge, an omelette, orange and carrot soup, beef stroganoff, chickpea and lentil curry, fish pie, banana bread)
The START programme encourages families with young children to adopt healthier lifestyles.

Make the most of family time - add a healthy habit today:
If you and your family would like to get more information on healthy habits check out www.makeastart.ie
Cookery - Longford Libraries Facebook page
Cookery Demonstrations with Fiona Egan Master Chef from Cloughan Farm & Cookery School Abbeyshrule
Fiona will help us prepare for the coming season of Christmas with some mouth watering demonstrations and tips on preparing edible Christmas gifts such as chutney, onion marmalade, cakes and puddings and much more.
A Healthier You
Easy steps to maintaining your physical and mental health during Covid-19. Nutritional Therapist Laura Thompson, a leading spokesperson on healthy eating, nutrition and wellbeing, presents a 4-week programme beginning Thursday 5th November at 4pm. Contact your local Library for more information.
Minding your Mood
There are many things we can do to help our mental health and wellbeing and to keep ourselves well.

Coping with Stress and Building Resilience during Covid 19 for Adults
Learn some basic tips on how to stay healthy and happy Paul Marsden Occupational Psychologist will share some handy tips over the next 4 weeks focusing on the four pillars health and wellbeing: food, movement, sleep and relaxation. Every Thursday on Longford Libraries Facebook page.
John Connell award winning writer, farmer, runner and proud Longford man will share his tips on growing and maintaining our individual and collective resilience during Covid 19.
Mindfulness for Children with Jackie Farrell
We will be brining you mindfulness stories for children with Jackie Farrell from Mindful Scholars, Celbridge. Jackie will also be hosting a "Mindful Minutes" series to help young and old cope during these uncertain times. Details of both will be posted on our social media pages.
Minding Your Wellbeing Programme - HSE Programme
Stay Active
Even during the winter, it is important to help physical and mental health and wellbeing

- Fit for All Resources for People with Disabilities: https://www.longfordsports.ie/what-we-do/sports-ability/
- Resource Booklet for Children with Disabilities with sports pack: This is designed with the child in mind and is super easy, colourful and fun. It come with adaptations for various disabilities and contains a record card to mark down your Fit from 6 Activities. To receive your free booklet and sports pack , contact Orla 086-6021716 or odempsey@longfordcoco.ie to arrange a collection.
- A mail drop to older adults in our community and nursing home through local organisation collaboration supported by a video and online classes.
- Campaign around Men over 45 activities again supported by videos and resources.
- Stay Active Online Hub: The Longford Sports Partnership will be updating this section on a regular basis on recommendation and links of various recreational and sporting activities that can be done at home https://www.longfordsports.ie/what-we-do/stay-active-online-hub/stay-active-online-hub.html
Covering six sections:
- Older Adults
- Adults
- Families and Children
- People with Disabilities
- Longford Sports Ambassadors
- National Development Officers


Resilience programme
Civil Defence is continuing to support the resilience programme by delivering high vis vests throughout the county to enable people to stay active during the winter months.
More information about National Get Well campaign can be found here.