A pop-up library which appeared in Falkirk aiming to boost the mental health of locals and visitors has been a massive success.
The library was set up to help encourage people to pledge their support for the upcoming Keep the Heid and Read! campaign.
The initiative involves reading for just six minutes a day as research shows as little as this can help reduce stress by 68% for all.
Members of the public were given the opportunity to relax and try this out in front of the scenic Kelpies on Thursday, May 5.
The 'national reading moment' is set to begin on Wednesday, May 11 and Falkirk has already pledged a total 207,714 minutes.
The Scotland-wide campaign was brought to life by the Scottish Library and Information Council (SLIC) along with Falkirk Council.
It was done in partnership with the Mental Health Foundation and the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) and others.
Lesley O’Hare, Cultural Services Manager at Falkirk Council, said: “The Helix, Home of the Kelpies is delighted to support the Keep the Heid and Read campaign and hope to see many of our park’s visitors enjoying our beautiful green spaces, whilst also finding time to dip into a book…or a comic, or a magazine.”
Pamela Tulloch, chief executive at SLIC, added: “Reading for pleasure can have a huge impact on our mental health, and that’s why we’re hoping as many people as possible will pledge their support and take part in the national reading moment to see what it could do for their own wellbeing.
“With our local libraries full of great reading material – whether you’re looking for books, comics, poetry or even a recipe book – there’s an abundance of free reading material on our doorsteps, whatever your interests.
"So now is the time to reconnect with your local library services, sign up to pledge just six minutes of reading on 11 May, and then make these healthy habits part of daily life.”
The Keep the Heid and Read! campaign comes ahead of Scotland's Mental Health Awareness Week, beginning on Monday, May 15.
Individuals and groups, such as schools, workplaces and sports teams, are invited to sign up now to get involved by clicking here.
The online totaliser, capturing the number of reading minutes pledged towards the national reading moment, is available here.
