FEBRUARY 2020 NEWSLETTER
Welcome to the February 2020 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries. This is the fourth issue in the new format of our monthly newsletters. Each month we feature a different program idea, and call on YOU to help us build our collective capacity to offer these program in our libraries. This month’s featured program is music and movement. Last month we highlight hands-on gardening, and in past issues we’ve highlighted chair-based exercises, and StoryWalk(R) programming.
A music and movement program is a library program in which participants engage both in physical activity and the creation of music. Based on research Let’s Move in Libraries conducted in Spring 2017, over 600 public libraries in the U.S. and Canada have already offered some form of this program. Even more have joined in since then! Has your library ever offered a music and movement program? Let us know by using this form! This month we call on you to help us build up this Program Idea to help other librarians get started. At the end of the month, your feedback will be incorporated into our Music and Movement Program Idea page, where it will remain accessible to other librarians. Even if you already offer this program, it’s worth checking out this page to see how other librarians structure their programs. Let’s pool our wisdom!
How can I get started with Music and Movement Programs?
Not sure how to get started with this program? Take a look at our Program Idea page. We’ve called on our Advisory Board to help us build up this page, and over 14 members responded! We’ve loaded up the page with a ton of great advice, and we will be adding more content throughout the month, and beyond!
Our featured image this month comes from the Mt. Zion District Library in Mt. Zion, Illinois. There, Ashley Batchelder started a music and movement program in January 2016, in part because the library found out there were no other available programs in the area for infants up to 18 months old. Ashley teamed up with Let’s Move in Libraries to give a presentation on this program at the 2018 meeting of the Association for Rural and Small Libraries. Check out her presentation here.
The Walking College is a remote-learning program that imparts fellows with the knowledge and skills they need to become leaders in creating stronger, more equitable, sustainable, and liveable communities. After completing the program, Fellows:
- Learn the basics of walkable design and develop skills to navigate the public policy process, engage decision-makers, foster a local advocacy movement, and more.
- Complete a blueprint for short- and longer-term strategies
- Connect and engage with expert mentors, fellow advocates, and America Walks
Not sure if it’s right for you? Join us for a Twitter Chat on February 11th at 1:30pm Eastern, 10:30am Pacific using #WalkingCollege or go to their website to learn more and to apply.
Join our community!
During the October 2019 meetings of our Advisory Groups, we decided to re-launch our online group on Facebook. We invite you to join the 100+ librarians already in the group. This is YOUR SPACE to ask questions, get advice, share successes and challenges, and generally get the support you need to make a difference in your community.
Consider joining us, and if you have a question about chair-based, StoryWalk(r), or gardening, or any other program that includes movement and physical activity, go ahead and ask it in this group!
Use the Let’s Move in Libraries logo: A free resource!
Did you know that our logo is completely, 100% free to use? It’s true! You can download it and get started here. If you have any questions, just reach out to us! All that we ask is that you share back how you use the logo: Banners, T-Shirts, Flyers, Decals, Bumper Stickers, Coasters, the sky is the limit!
News from Let’s Move in Libraries
We want to celebrate Barbara Scott of Bucyrus Public Library, a member of our advisory board, and a champion (and expert) of music and movement programming. Barbara was recently featured in her local paper for her work at the library over the last 35 years, the last six of which she’s focused on engaging children’s minds and bodies in innovative music and movement programming. Way to go!
Barbara told the reporter: “We’ve added our popular Music and Movement program, which is funded through the United Way. And that’s been going for six years, so that’s sort of something new and different and exciting that I’ve done the last few years,” Scott said
Scott leads the Music, Movement and More program along with a co-teacher, Upper Sandusky resident Lin Bils
“We do that twice a week and it’s a lot of fun,” Scott said.
A new television in the story time area is part of a plan to introduce children to yoga. It also will be used for story times.
What are you up to? Let us know!
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We’d like to hear, and share, how you move in your library!! Tag us on social media or email news directly through our website. We’d love to hear from you!
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Subscribe to the monthly 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. 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.