Welcome to the March 2018 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries. This edition highlights new, freely available learning resources you can use to develop new, high-impact public library programs.

This project focuses on how public libraries create opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage in healthy physical activity. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date with what public libraries throughout North America and beyond do to get their communities moving.

Be Well at NPL: A Health and Wellness Resource of Nashville Public Library. On March 7, 2018, Elizabeth Roth from the Nashville (TN) Public Library shared the story of Be Well at NPL. This action-packed 20-minute video includes a model of how to start, sustain, and assess high-impact health and wellness programs that include physical activity.

Healthy Living at Your Library: Sonoma County Public Library. On March 7, Jaime Anderson of the Sonoma County Public Library in California shared the story of her library’s Healthy Living program series. In this 30-minute video, learn how the library successfully applied for LSTA funding to bring a variety of physical fitness, mindfulness, and nutrition programs to the library.

Next free webinar in Summer 2018! Details are currently being organized for the next Let’s Move in Libraries webinar, which will take place in Summer 2018 and focus on programming ideas for aging adults. It will feature staff from the National Institute of Aging’s Go4Lifecampaign as well as public librarians doing successful movement-based programs. Stay tuned for details in future newsletters! 

Get Your Community Moving: Physical Literacy Programs for All Ages. On February 23, Jenn Carson, Library Director, L.P. Fisher Public Library, Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada, and I presented on how to “Get Your Community Moving: Physical Literacy Programs for All Ages” at the online event Big Talk from Small Libraries: Small Libraries Doing Big Things. Watch the video online! This event was sponsored by The Nebraska Library Commission and the Association for Rural & Small Libraries. Also, reserve your copy of Jenn’s new book on this topic, coming out of ALA Editions this Summer!

Bike Check-Out: Coming Soon to a Library New You? On March 10, I published an article in Public Libraries Online featuring ways that public libraries support bicycling in their communities. Twenty public libraries in the U.S. and Canada have begun checking bicycles out to their patrons, and even more check out things like bike locks and bike repair tools. Get inspired to try something new by reading this short article.

Developing and Implementing Movement-Based Programs: Experiences of North Carolina librarians. Want to hear more about the struggles and successes of public librarians offering movement-based programs? Check out my latest peer-reviewed research article in Library Quarterly on this topic. I would love your feedback! If you have trouble accessing the article from The University of Chicago Press, please email me and I get you a free copy for your personal review.

What are you planning for Summer Learning at your library? 

We would love to hear about any movement-based programs your libraries have in the works for summer learning. Tweet us @LetsMoveLibrary, share with us on Facebook, or drop us a line.

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 Subscribe to the Let’s Move in Libraries newsletter for monthly editions of success stories, educational opportunities, and food for thought that will deepen the impact of movement-based programs and services in public libraries. Also follow the project on Facebook and Twitter to stay up-to-date. The Let’s Move in Libraries project focuses on how public libraries create opportunities for individuals of all ages and abilities to engage in healthy physical activity.