Meet your library elves (aka your subject librarians) - Griffith Library, Dynevor

Library number three today - Griffith Library at Dynevor! The elf in residence there is Helen Beale, who would love to hear from you if you have any questions about the library or are struggling to find what you need. Helen should be easy to spot - she's likely to be found wearing a Christmas jumper of one sort or another as she's gone a bit mad for them this year! (As have we all - look out for library staff at all four UWTSD Swansea libraries sporting some festive pullovers on the 12th December!)



Helen in her Christmas jumper,
admiring the Griffith Library displays

Helen Beale is based in the Griffith Library and supports the programmes delivered by the Faculty of Art & Design at both Dynevor and Alex.

Favourite Christmas movie

Decisions, decisions … which to pick? I do have a soft spot for ‘Elf’ with Will Ferrell as it’s a family favourite and you know what they say, the family that laughs together stands a chance of getting through the festivities unscathed (well one lives in hope!). A few years ago the Taliesin put on a showing of a re-mastered ‘White Christmas’ with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye. It was a real treat experiencing an old classic on the big screen, there was such a feel-good factor about it and yes I’m afraid to say we came out singing as well!  

Santa's little helper!

Favourite Christmas book

I’m with Emily on this one, it’s all about the children when it comes to Christmas books. My immediate reaction was to say ‘The Night Before Christmas’ as it brings back happy memories of reading to my three children when they were very young. We also have a beautifully illustrated copy of ‘The 12 Days of Christmas’, although I think I enjoyed this one more than the children.

Favourite Christmas food

Everything – as long as there are no nuts involved!

Best thing about Christmas

Having all my family under one roof for the holidays, eating, drinking and laughing together in front of the fire, with re-runs of Morecambe and Wise Christmas Specials on the TV. Although watching my daughter try and dress up our Jack Russell as Santa’s little helper, complete with a hat with a bell on it was a pretty close second!

International Arts Education Week

You'll find loads of art books and journals downstairs
 in Griffith Library!

The third annual UNESCO International Arts Education Week runs from the 19^th to the 23^rd May this year, so it’s nearly upon us. UWTSD Swansea has a rich heritage of arts education, so we’re sure it’s a topic close to your hearts! This year, the theme is Arts for Peace, which builds on the vision laid out in the UNESCO document Seoul Agenda: Goals forthe Development of Arts Education.

Griffith Library at Dynevor is, as you’d expect, the place to go for art books, journals and dvds, but Townhill Library has recently had some new books in about education and the arts too. So, if you’re looking for a book to help you Understand Art History or one on Inspiring Writing in Art and Design, you know where to come!

We’ve also got tons of resources online, so if you want e-books or e-journals, take a look at our catalogue. We’ve also got a whole host of databases to help you find images, journal articles and other information.

Phew! With all that, it looks as though we are definitely ready for International Arts in Education Week!

Some of the art books on offer in Townhill Library