As any of the more recent visitors may have noticed, the library is expecting a new demo baby in September. For anyone who hasn’t been in – yes, that means I’m pregnant, and due in a month!
Up until now the library services, drop in sessions and consultations have been running as normal, although in recent weeks I have provided myself with a chair! Obviously this will need to change soon to accommodate the new arrival and allow me some maternity leave. I will hopefully still be about at social parenting events during my leave but will not be in library mode! There are various changes that have been planned, and they will affect every library user in a different way, so please have a read through the plans for sling support in West Yorkshire in the months leading up to Christmas below.
In the mean time, I suggest every library visitor call or click before travelling, just on the off-chance Demo Baby decides to put in an early appearance or throw a complication at library services.
There will of course be an introduction when the baby arrives.
If anyone has any questions on library services during the period please don’t hesitate to call the library before August 23rd on 0113 2100855.
September
During the month of September, the West Yorkshire Sling Library will be CLOSED. This means that the normal drop in sessions of 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th September will NOT take place, the carrying support help line and email service will not be available, carrier swap service will cease, and consultation or package appointments will be booked in for after the end of the month.
Carrying support during that time will be provided by other sling libraries in Yorkshire – Huddersfield, York, and Sheffield. Trained one to one consultations are offered by Yolanda Kenyon at Huddersfield and Mari Greenfield at Hebden Bridge. All the details of these providers are below, and available in hand out form in the library at the drop in sessions during August.
If you have a carrier due back during September, you will be able to return carriers during that time, but it will be drop-off or post only.
Alternatively, the library is offering reduced rental prices for the month of September, so you may choose to renew at a reduced rate.
Reduced carrier rental
To reflect the reduced services, WYSL is offering four week rentals for the price of two week rentals during the month of September.
If you have a carrier on loan already due back in the month of September you may call the library to renew that rental into Oct at the reduced rate, or return on schedule – carriers can be returned by drop off or recorded post during the month of September. Overdue carriers will be charged at normal rate when services resume in Oct.
If you take a carrier from the library on a 4 week rental between 8/8/12 and 14/8/12 inclusive:
These carriers would normally be due back between 5/9/12 and 11/9/12. The first four weeks will be charged at normal rate. You will be offered the chance on rental to extend these rentals at the reduced rate of £5, making them due back on 3/10/12. There is no obligation to do so, carriers can be returned by drop off or recorded post during the month of September.
If you take a carrier from the library on a four week rental between 15/8/12 and 21/8/12 inclusive:
These carriers would normally be due back between 12/9/12 and 18/9/12. The first four weeks will be charged at normal rate. You will be offered the chance on rental to extend these rentals at the reduced rate of £5, making them due back on 17/10/12. There is no obligation to do so, carriers can be returned by drop off or recorded post during the month of September.
If you take a carrier from the library on a four week rental between 22/8/12 and 28/8/12 inclusive:
These carriers would normally be due back between 19/9/12 and 25/9/12. The first four weeks will be charged at normal rate. You will be offered the chance on rental to extend these rentals at the reduced rate of £5, making them due back on 31/10/12. There is no obligation to do so, carriers can be returned by drop off or recorded post during the month of September.
If you take a carrier from the library on a four week rental on 29/8/12:
The rental will include up to an extra week free, making the carrier due back 3/10/12.
Two week rental periods
Two week rental periods will be unaffected by the above changes until 15/8/12, then become UNAVAILABLE from 16/8/12.
October
During October services will be reduced. The library will only be open to drop off, swap or support at these dedicated open times, which will be run by a team of library ‘guest supporters’. Should you wish to make a one to one consultation appointment these will be available from either Mari or Yolanda by appointment during the month of October.
Wednesday, October 3rd – 10am-3pm
Wednesday, October 17th – 10am-3pm
Wednesday, October 31st – 10am-3pm
Full details on October openings and locations will be available before the end of August.
November and December
I will be back in the library on Weds, November 7th 10am-3pm, and provisionally on a fortnightly basis until Christmas. One to one consultations with me will be available before and after library hours on library days. Services will continue from the other Yorkshire libraries and consultants throughout.
Local Sling Resources and Help
This information will be updated over the next few days to hopefully provide a picture of the sling help and support available in person, on the phone, and online. WYSL does not come with parenting ideals attached, the only criteria for use being your desire to use a sling or carrier for a day or a year! Having said that, some of these listed support groups are geared towards certain philosophies, yet all are welcoming and inclusive environments. In addition, those listed with a female slant are just as welcoming to all parents.
ATTACHED MAGAZINE – Yorkshire magazine for parents who trust their instincts, frequesnt local events and fairs including Natural Parenting Fair, St Margarets Church Hall, Horsforth, Leeds, Sat 8th September.
HUDDERSFIELD SLING LIBRARY Open the 2nd Weds of the month and the 4th Friday of the month at the Nightingale, Lindley and Active Bodies, Chapel St, Hudds. Run by Yolanda Kenyon, consultant offering one to one sessions in the area.
LEEDS ATTACHMENT PARENTING NETWORK – Group meets bi-monthly at St James’ Church Hall, Low Lane, Horsforth, Thursday mornings.
MARI GREENFIELD – Babywearing consultant offering consultations in the Leeds, Bradford and Calderdale areas, please call WYSL for further details.
NATURAL MAMAS FORUMS Online (forum) sling help and advice.
NATURAL MAMAS SLING CLINIC – Online (facebook) help from experienced sling users.
SHEFFIELD BABYWEARERS – bi-monthly meets, details on Facebook.
SHEFFIELD SLING LIBRARY – Library services in Sheffield running from September
SHEFFIELD SLINGS – Sling group with regular social events in Sheffield.
SLING GUIDE – By parents, for parents, online impartial guide to baby slings and soft carriers.
WEST YORKSHIRE ATTACHMENT AND NATURAL PARENTING NETWORK – AP network
YOLANDA KENYON – Babywearing consultant offering consultations in the Huddersfield area.
YORK SLING LIBRARY – Library services in York. Meeting alternate Monday mornings at St Lawrence’s Children’s Centre, Heslington Road.
wyslinglibrary.com 