The August 2024 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries includes:

• Amazing news from AARP funding public libraries
• A new podcast episode on the power of making music outside
• A reminder about StoryWalk® Week 2024
• How to join monthly Birds of a Feather online conversations

This month’s featured image is the official logo for the second annual “I Partner With My Public Library Award.”

Nominations opened a month ago, and will close at the end of August, 2024. So far we have received received nominations from 20 states, provinces, and territories in two nations (US & Canada)! Any public library partner, anywhere in the world, is eligible to be nominated. Nominations are due at the end of August, 2024.

Nominations have come in thus far from:

• British Columbia
• California
• Colorado
• Delaware
• Florida
• Georgia
• Illinois
• Kentucky
• Louisiana
• Maryland
• New Jersey
• New York
• North Carolina
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Oklahoma
• Ontario
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Virginia
• Washington

Here are some excerpts from the nominations received in July:

“I am writing to nominate [partner] for her outstanding work in creating a brand new native plant garden at our public library. We deeply appreciate the countless hours [partner] has volunteered, her expertise, and her collaborative spirit. The initiative has brought together community members, library staff, and local government organizations, fostering a sense of shared purpose and pride.”

“We always look forward to programs where [partner] is involved because it’s always a big turn out and the children, along with the adults, enjoy every bit of it! They’ve never let us down.”

“One of the best outcomes of this partnership has been that it stimulates both organizations to think about creative ways to serve the changing needs of our community. Because of their strong collaborative spirit, creative engagement, and commitment to serving their community, we nominate the [name redacted] Wildlife Refuge for the ‘I Partner with my Library’ award.”

“Since 2018, [partner] has partnered with eight public library systems to bring Drag Queen Storytime to communities large and small in [our] Region. The partnership was established soon after [partner] launched their initial Youth Pride program for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and their families. That program uncovered a gap in programming for younger children, which led to partnership with public libraries. In working with the Libraries, [partner] increased libraries’ capacities, provided financial support, and worked with communities when challenges to the program escalated in 2021.”

“[Partner] partnered with libraries early on; needing adaptable, public and safe spaces to hold some of its events. We immediately found that their expertise and facilitation enabled small, rural libraries to host programming for an entirely new population. Any library with space, accessibility and willingness to learn how to serve these families was able to partner with [organization] to host a LEGO club, without having to purchase the toys or find volunteers – both significant challenges to single-staff libraries.”

Do you work at a public library? Has a community partner made a difference by collaborating with you?

The I Partner With My Public Library Award invites you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional partners. Each year, up to 10 are honored at an online ceremony held in their honor.

Submitting a nomination is the perfect way to thank your partners, and to celebrate the work you have done together. These annual awards also inspire others to reach out to new partners.

Nominations will be accepted through the end of August 2024. Final decisions will be made on October 15, 2024, with a public awards ceremony occurring in November, 2024. Awardees will be publicly celebrated on the Let’s Move in Libraries webpage. Join us in this endeavor!

Click here to submit a nomination

In addition to submitting a nomination, you can also serve as a reviewer. Reviewers will spend approximately 3-5 hours in September 2024 reviewing nominations and filling out an online form. Learn more, and serve as a reviewer!

You can submit a nomination and serve as a reviewer: We’ll make sure you don’t review your own nomination! You do not need to work in a public library to serve as a reviewer.

To get inspired, check out the 2023 Award Winners and Honorable Mentions at the I Partner with My Public Library webpage. We can’t wait to read your nominations!

Please share this news widely.

Amazing news from AARP funding public libraries

Earlier this Summer, the AARP announced the 2024 awardees of their annual Livable Communities mini-grant initiative. Once again, public libraries across America were well represented!

Look for the call for applications in February-March 2025 for your chance to get a small grant to transform your community.

2024 Winners include:

ALABAMA

Aliceville: Aliceville Public Library
The project will result in new computers, upgraded software and faster internet service at the library’s computer lab. The library will also offer technology classes geared toward older adults. (Flagship Grant)

CONNECTICUT

Bethel: Bethel Public Library
The library will install an adaptive audio system, allowing people who are hard of hearing to listen to presentations using an app on their smartphone or smart device. (Flagship Grant)

GEORGIA

Mount Zion: City of Mount Zion
This city will construct two blessing boxes, which will offer residents access to free, non-perishable foods, basic toiletries and pet food. The boxes will be located near Mount Zion’s senior center and the local library. (Flagship Grant)

ILLINOIS

Maywood: Maywood Public Library District
The library will install a bike repair station and air pump to support local bike commuters, students and unhoused residents who use bikes to get around. The station will be free for residents of all ages to use. (Flagship Grant)

IOWA

Monticello: Monticello Public Library
The library will purchase a mobile kitchen to host health and nutrition classes. Programming for adults will focus on making healthy, budget-conscious food choices while classes for children and teens will cover cooking and kitchen basics. (Flagship Grant)

KENTUCKY

Liberty: Casey County Public Library
The library will create a story walk — a series of displays along an accessible path designed to display pages from a storybook. The project responds to local grandparents’ requests for more activities they can do with their grandchildren. (Flagship Grant)

MAINE

Fort Fairfield: Fort Fairfield Public Library
The library will transform an unused patch of grass into a memorial garden featuring flowers, an arbor and a gazebo. The space will be accessible for people who use wheelchairs or walkers, as well as for older adults. (Flagship Grant)

Washburn: Washburn Memorial Library
Two training sessions will teach older adult residents how to make their homes safer and more functional. The library will also create a display demonstrating home modification techniques and products. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)

MISSISSIPPI

Biloxi and D’Iberville: Harrison County Library System
This project will provide wheeled walkers at three library branches, enabling older visitors to peruse the shelves independently. In addition, the library will expand its collection of large print books to give older patrons more reading choices. (Flagship Grant)

Laurel, Ellisville and Sandersville: Laurel-Jones County Library System,  Inc.
This project will transform a donated trolley into a mobile library and technology resource for older adults living in rural areas. Equipped with laptops, printers and Wi-Fi, this will give residents online access to health care and financial assistance, technology classes and other resources. (Flagship Grant)

OHIO

Shreve: Village of Shreve
This project will provide walk audits near two parks, the library and Shreve’s downtown. The village will recruit older adults to participate and provide feedback on how to improve pedestrian safety and mobility. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)

VIRGINIA

Salem: Salem Public Library
Several workshops will educate older adults about low-cost home safety improvements and other safety aids. The library will also create a community display featuring typical modifications and provide residents with copies of the AARP HomeFit Guide. (Capacity-Building Microgrant)

WASHINGTON

Toledo: Toledo Community Library
The library will replace its building’s roof, preserving an important community space in Toledo’s downtown, which is recovering following a series of devastating fires. (Flagship Grant)

A new podcast episode on the power of making music outside

Our thanks to Percussion Play for inviting us to join their podcast Music Made for the Great Outdoors! Along with Emily Drabinski, Past-President of the American Library Association, and Ohio’s Hubbard Public Library, we joined a lively conversation music, movement, libraries, and the great outdoors!

Give it a listen!

Here is the full episode description:

“Libraries are essential for communities and have evolved over the years. They are no longer just a place to find a good book. They now offer study spaces and provide equipment and tools for hire, making them a central point for many cities, towns, and villages worldwide.

In this episode, we will explore how libraries have embraced music. We will hear from academia, the American Library Association, and a library that is benefiting from its outdoor music area.

Libraries are increasingly incorporating music into their offerings, from hosting drum circles to creating outdoor spaces for Music Gardens, Storywalks, and Pollinator Gardens.”

Listen at Spotify or watch the podcast on YouTube.

A reminder about StoryWalk® Week 2024

We want to remind you that for the fourth consecutive year we are teaming up with the Association of Bookmobile & Outreach Services (ABOS) for the Fourth Annual StoryWalk® Week celebration!

This year the fun will be November 10-16, 2024.

To participate, all you need to do is a share a photograph of your library’s StoryWalk from the year 2024, along with a brief caption. We’ll be opening up the call for participation in October 2024.

To get ideas and inspiration check out the webpages for

StoryWalk Week 2023

StoryWalk Week 2022

StoryWalk Week 2021

And our StoryWalk resource page.

Let’s get moving outside!

While you wait for StoryWalk Week 2024, we’d like to also invite you to share your StoryWalk stories!

We feature them online and in our newsletters to inspire others.

How to join our monthly Birds of a Feather conversations