The August 2026 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries includes:

• Game-changing grants from the AARP to public libraries
• New library fitness program launching in October
• How and why to join the Safe Routes to Libraries learning series
• How and why to join our monthly Birds of a Feather online conversation

But first, our main story.

Does your library do great things with community partners? Share your story in the Fourth Annual I Partner with My Public Library Awards.

The call for nominations is open through August 31, 2026.

Here is a direct link to the nomination form.

To inspire your submissions, below are some anonymized excerpts from nominations already received:

“The Public Library and the Chamber of Commerce launched free business development events at the library in 2025, responding to economic pressures on local businesses from trade tariffs and shrinking public funds. At one of the first events, a local manufacturer spoke with a provincial representative in attendance and asked for a letter of support for their funding application. A year later, the company’s HR director wrote to the library: ‘I am sure you saw the local news that the province will be supporting [the company] with our Driving Resilience project — almost $1.5M support from the province and $1M from the feds… We are certain that [the letter from the library] helped us with our application. So, wanted to say THANK YOU! You, and the Public Library are making a difference for local employers.”

In another community, a public library and a partner teamed up to host a Mental Health celebration: “A mother and her teenage son came [to the event] after months of struggling to find appropriate mental health resources. She later shared that she wasn’t sure where to begin or whom to trust, and the idea of walking into a clinic felt overwhelming. Because the event was held at the public library — a place they already knew and felt comfortable visiting — they spent time exploring the event together… Before leaving, the mother expressed gratitude that they had found guidance in a place that felt safe, familiar, and free of judgment.”

In a third community, the public library teams up with partners to co-host a Ukulele Jam Group: “There was a woman in her 70s who had gone through tendon surgery on both hands who wanted to find ways to work her hands… She did great! She was able to do everything everyone else was able to do. One patron, a retired teacher, was encouraging others to go out and buy one. That made me smile.” The group has been so successful at the library that they are “planning to bring their Jam Session to a local assisted living facility this August for the residents to enjoy.”

A fourth worked with partners to organize an event on recycling and the environment: “As we sat near the water, children could see the bayou, wildlife, and natural environment around them while learning about recycling and caring for their community. After discussing how something as simple as picking up a single piece of trash could help protect a duck, fish, alligator, or other animal, several children immediately began looking around for litter and asking how they could help. You can almost see the light bulbs turn on.”

To get more inspiration, check out who won in 2025, 2024, and 2023. Also check out the “Stories of Partnerships” webpage. Over the last three years, we have received so many amazing nominations, but we’re only able to award 10 partners a year. This Stories of Partnerships webpage serves to showcase many of the other amazing stories we’ve received over the years.

As in previous years, a team of volunteer reviewers makes these awards possible. Awards reviewers will spend approximately 3-5 hours reviewing nominations and filling out an online form based on that review. Learn more and serve as a reviewer! You can both submit a nomination and serve as a reviewer: We’ll make sure you don’t review your own nomination!

We can’t wait to see your nominations! Join us in this celebration of the power of community partnerships.

Game-changing grants from the AARP to public libraries

For the TENTH year, the AARP has funded quick-action projects across America to support livable communities for all ages.

And for the tenth year, public libraries have benefitted.

As soon as this year’s winners were announced on July 8, Let’s Move in Libraries scoured through the announcement to see how public libraries benefitted.

We found 22 libraries across 18 states benefitting directly or indirectly from this year’s awards. These projects include:

Arizona

• Duncan: Duncan Public Library — Accessibility enhancements will be added to the library’s main entrance, enabling greater independence for patrons with mobility challenges. The upgrade will particularly benefit the many residents age 50-plus who regularly rely on library services.

Arkansas

• Pine Bluff: Friends of the Public Library — Bike audits will review safety and connectivity in downtown Pine Bluff. Older adult participants will help identify barriers and areas for improvement.
• Conway: Faulkner County Library — Native prairie habitat will be restored and an ADA boardwalk and viewing platform constructed. The space will support outdoor learning, nature viewing and community programs.

Idaho

• Stites: Prairie River Library District — The library will lend Wi-Fi hotspots and devices through secure pickup lockers in Stites. Local support will help residents get online for health care and communication.
• Lapwai: Lapwai Community Library Branch — The library will convert an unused side lot into a safe, accessible green courtyard featuring benches and garden beds. This space will support outdoor programs and provide residents with a quiet place to relax away from traffic.

Illinois

• Geneseo: Geneseo Public Library District — This project will transform a library garden space into a safe, accessible and beautifully designed environment for adults age 50-plus through a new ADA-compliant walkway, seating, shade and sensory amenities that encourage connection and outdoor enjoyment.

Kentucky

• Benton: Marshall County Public Library — The library will transform an unused patio into a community garden featuring accessible seating, shaded tables and raised beds. The space will support gardening, reading and social programs for all ages.

Maine

• Scarborough: Scarborough Public Library — The library will add private pods, assistive listening tools, e-readers and hands-on technology programs for adults over 50. These updates will support telehealth visits, digital learning and easier access to library services.

Minnesota

• Lamberton: Lamberton Public Library — A multigenerational picnic area will be built, featuring a concrete table, solar lighting and a message board. The space will provide a comfortable gathering spot and improve visibility and safety during evening hours.

Missouri

• West Plains: West Plains Public Library — A permanent StoryWalk will be installed along a paved park path, combining reading and walking for all ages. The feature will give older adults a low-impact way to stay active while spending time with grandchildren and neighbors outdoors.

Montana

• Bozeman: Befrienders — A mobile “listening bench” will rotate among parks, libraries and gathering spots for older adults. Trained volunteers will host scheduled bench hours to offer conversation and companionship, with QR codes linking users to local resources, to help reduce social isolation among adults age 50 and older.

Nebraska

• Broken Bow: Broken Bow Public Library — An outdoor gathering space will be created on the library lawn with seating, landscaping and simple games. The area will give residents a place to rest, meet others and spend time outside during events, parades or daily visits downtown.

New York

• Spring Valley: Finkelstein Library — A library van will be converted into a mobile library that visits older adults in local housing communities. The service will provide books, media, internet access and small—group programs directly to older residents.
• Tupper Lake: Tupper Lake Public Library — The library will transform its community room into a safer, more accessible and inviting space for residents age 50-plus through new flooring, furnishings and creative enhancements that support programs, gathering and social connections.

Ohio

• Ottawa: Go Ottawa — The village will install a solar-powered mid-block crosswalk on a busy street to connect older adults to nearby destinations including the library. The new crossing will shorten walking distances and improve pedestrian safety.

Oregon

• Fossil: Friends of the Fossil Library — An outdoor community information board will be installed near the library. The board will serve as a central hub for sharing emergency updates, maps and notices when internet or phone service is limited.

Rhode Island

• Providence: Community Libraries of Providence — The outdoor library grounds will be completed with custom benches and small outdoor bookcases. The space will support reading, gathering and neighborhood activities in an accessible setting.

Texas

• Lake Dallas: Lake Dallas Public Library — Multiple disaster preparedness training sessions and bilingual checklists will support emergency readiness among older library patrons. An online resource hub will extend access to preparedness information.

Vermont

• Montpelier: Kellogg-Hubbard Library — An artistic, ADA-accessible play structure with seating will be added to the library lawn. This new outdoor feature will provide a welcoming space for reading, play and informal gatherings across generations.
• Rockingham: Rockingham Free Public Library — The library will add kayaks, paddleboards and e-bikes to its Library of Things and host guided outdoor programs. These resources will help residents, including adults age 50-plus, try outdoor recreation without having to buy equipment.

Virginia

• Heathsville: Northumberland Public Library — The library will complete its new public park, adding benches, tables, signage and other amenities. These additions will make the space more comfortable for walking, resting and community use.

Wisconsin

• Brillion: Brillion Public Library — The library will create an outdoor garden with seating, shade and accessible raised garden beds in a downtown green space. The garden will support reading, gardening and storytelling programs in a comfortable gathering space for all ages.

Learn more about this 10-year endeavor at the AARP Community Challenge webpage, and make sure to save this URL. Nominations for 2027 will open sometime in January 2027. You don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to transform your library and your community!

New library fitness program launches in October

Our thanks to Zach Rubin, Co-Founder and CEO, Library Speakers Consortium, for sharing this exciting news with us:

“What if you could offer a full slate of friendly, expert-led fitness classes without hiring a single instructor? This October, my team is launching Anywhere Active to make that possible.

Anywhere Active brings zero-barrier physical fitness directly to your community. Our virtual classes cover a wide variety of fitness levels, offering movement that meets people where they are. It’s also fully turnkey, requiring minimal work for you busy library staff. We handle the logistics, providing:

• 3 new live virtual classes weekly, ranging from chair yoga to strength training and Bollywood dance
• A library of 1,000+ classes that are fully searchable and available on-demand
• Flexible and scalable options for home-use, in-person programming, or community outreach

Through the Library Speakers Consortium, my team already partners with over 1500 libraries to offer virtual events with best-selling authors. In my conversations with member libraries, I regularly hear the same challenge: libraries want to offer more fitness programs but are limited by budget, staff time, space, and the logistics of booking fitness instructors across multiple branches.

Libraries are already in the business of tearing down barriers. We want to help you do that for health equity, too.

Visit awactive.org to learn more and request a demo. Let’s work together to build healthier, more active communities!”

How and why to join the Safe Routes to Libraries learning series

Across North America – and beyond! – public library staff and leaders increasingly work with a broad range of community partners to make it easier and safer for all individuals to walk, bike, and/or roll to and from public library buildings.

By working with partners to promote Safe Routes to Libraries, we safely connecting communities to library resources and programs that enhance the literacy and health outcomes of all Americans.

In support of that goal, the Urban Libraries Council and the Safe Routes Partnership invites to a free, online Safe Routes to Libraries Virtual Learning Series! The first session was held July 14 and featured Taylor Arnold, Makerspace Librarian from Billings Public Library. Taylor shared how he blends creativity and DIY activities to promote community bike safety. Read more about Taylor’s work in ULC’s Safe Routes to Libraries Impact Brief and go to the Safe Routes to Libraries Virtual Learning Series webpage to access Taylor’s presentation and slides.

Sign up now for the next sessions, which will take place August 11 and September 8, at 3 pm Eastern. The August 11 session will feature Femi Adelakun, Chief Research Officer at the Urban Libraries Council. Femi will share a new GIS tool built for connecting schools to libraries and identifying opportunities for collaborative Safe Routes projects. The Safe Routes to Libraries team will also be presenting their work in-person in September at the Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference in Montgomery, Alabama!

This work focuses on sharing best practices and inspiring ideas for increasing safety and access to public libraries. You will learn practical strategies for implementing Safe Routes activities, explore innovative data tools, and connect with library staff and Safe Routes practitioners from across the country. If you have been waiting for updates on Safe Routes to Libraries, this is the place to be!

How to join our monthly Birds of a Feather online conversations