Strong communities, healthy people

The health of our bodies is connected to the health of our communities, and stronger social bonds increase individual wellness.  In addition, learning and new experiences are good for the brain (interested in a deeper exploration of this topic?  One book to check out is Healthy Brain, Happy Life by Wendy Suzuki).

With that in mind, join the St. Louis Public Library at a film showing and discussion, kicking off the involvement of SLPL with the "Latino Americans: 500 Years of History" series, and build a stronger brain and a stronger community.

• Thursday, October 8
• 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
• Central Library - Auditorium
• Prejudice and Pride, Episode 5 of the PBS series Latino Americans
• Deborah Cohen, Associate Professor at the University of Missouri St. Louis and author of Braceros: Migrant Citizens and Transnational Subjects in Postwar United States and Mexico will lead a discussion afterwards

This program is part of a partnership with the Missouri Humanities Council, the Diversity Committee of the St. Louis Public Library, and a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities and the American Library Association.

Wild Things

Have you visited the Central Library lately?  There are Wild Things everywhere, and additional Wild happenings at Branches!  Visit the Library's digital brochure to see what's going on (paper copies at each Branch).



From the Library's shelves:

• The wild city book: loads of things to do outdoors in towns and cities by Jo Schofield and Fiona Danks
• Wild things: the art of nurturing boys by Stephen James and David Thomas 
• Wild things run fast by Joni Mitchell [sound recording] 
• The wild weather book: loads of things to do outdoors in rain, wind and snow by Fiona Danks and Jo Schofield 
• Wild things: untold tales from the first century of the Saint Louis Zoo by Patricia Corrigan 
• Eating on the wild side: the missing link to optimum health by Jo Robinson

Fall Prevention Day

As Fall arrives, so does Fall Prevention Day.  Celebrated this year on Wednesday, September 23, Fall Prevention Day highlights the importance of fitness and exercise in maintaining a sense of balance and preventing falls.  Losing your balance and falling can lead to bruising and even broken bones.  Local organizations like OASIS offer classes in balance that are proven to reduce the risk of falling.  Join OASIS for a free event from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Kirkwood Community Center, and learn about how to reduce your risk of falling.  Click here for more information.

Books the St. Louis Public Library has on this important subject:

• Falls in older people: prevention & management by Rein Tideiksaar
• How to avoid falling: a guide for active aging and independence by Eric Fredrikson

And because abdominal strength can help with balance (as anyone who's ever taken a yoga class can tell you):

• Core strength for 50+: a customized program for safely toning ab, back & oblique muscles by Karl Knopf

SLPL also has a selection of DVDs, including

• Stronger seniors core fitness with Anne Pringle Burnell.
• The Chair fitness series from Fit As A Fiddle