JULY 2018 NEWSLETTER

Welcome to the July 2018 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries. This edition highlights a) our new social media presence on Instagram, b) essential new journalism on why we move in libraries, c) a new, free opportunity to launch fitness classes for older adults at your library, d) a new story on library Couch to 5K programs published on our website, e) more information on our 2018-2019 Advisory Board, and f) news from the past month of libraries that move.

Follow (and share with) Let’s Move in Libraries on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up-to-date with what public libraries do to get their communities moving.

We’re on Instagram!

We are thrilled to share that Let’s Move in Libraries is now on Instagram! The photo-based platform is a great fit for our mission: Focused on showcasing how we move in libraries. Join the 324 individuals and libraries who already follow us, and tag @LetsMoveInLibraries to share what you are doing. Even if you’re not on Instagram, you can click on this link to see how we move.

Libraries are filling an affordable fitness void

New journalism by Leslie Nemo published in The Outline highlights why “Librarians are providing yoga and tai chi classes for communities that need them.” Let’s Move in Libraries is thrilled to have been consulted for this important article, as were public librarians from across the U.S. This reporting is essential reading for every worker in the public library sector. Please read and share widely.

Increasingly, public libraries are being recognized for the important work they do to increase physical activity. Active for Life, an international initiative focused on increasing physical literacy among children, recently revised its “Community Toolkit” to acknowledge how libraries impact physical literacy. The toolkit now states that “This toolkit will be helpful anywhere children are active at the local level: recreation centres, community associations, local health and wellness groups, even libraries.” Check out the resources they offer!

A new, free opportunity to launch fitness classes for older adults at your library

Designed exclusively for older adults, Geri-Fit helps rebuild strength that’s been lost through the aging process and helps to ensure a higher level of function as we continue to age. This national initiative seeks to partner with rural public libraries to extend access to physical fitness. Geri-Fit will provide you with DVDs and other resources you can use to provide free, evidence-based fitness classes at your library, in exchange for participating in a study.
To participate, your library must be be willing and able to offer a series of free exercise classes for older adults during a 12 week period, beginning around January 2018 for 12 continuous weeks. Classes would be held on two, non-consecutive days per week for 45-minutes. Other requirements: Your library must be in the U.S., and have either a DVD player or a wide-screen TV or projector with the capability of displaying a workout video that participants could see and move along with. Your library must have study chairs with no arms – each participant will need two chairs for this exercise class.
The program is prepared and ready to go! Are you ready to take advantage of this free opportunity? To express interest in this opportunity, fill out this form. A staff member from Geri-Fit will then follow up with you. Don’t delay! If you have questions, you can also reach out directly to Geri-Fit.

New story on Library Couch to 5K programs

More and more people are picking up running as a healthy hobby. And more and more public libraries offer programs to help new runners get started. Let’s Move in Libraries recently highlighted one of these libraries: The Shrewsbury Public Library in Massachusetts. Read on our website how and why they started a Couch to 5K program at the library, and how the resources gathered by Let’s Move in Libraries helped them organize this program.

Have a story to share? Reach out to us! We’d love to highlight how you move!

More information on our 2018-2019 Advisory Board

In our June 2018 Newsletter we announced the names of our 2018-2019 Let’s Move in Libraries Advisory Board. We’re thrilled to share more information on this important board. Thank you to the 16 individuals who have stepped up to serve on the inaugural Let’s Move in Libraries Advisory Board. We are so excited to work with you.

Did you miss the call to join us in 2018-2019? Another invitation will go out in our newsletter in Spring 2019 to join us for the 2019-2020 Advisory Board.

News stories you may have missed

Follow (and share with) Let’s Move in Libraries on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up-to-date with what public libraries do to get their communities moving. Here are some stories you may have missed that we highlighted last month:

The AUT Library in Auckland, New Zealand kicks off the academic year with a pop-up yoga session at the library open to all AUT students and staff.

The Manor Park Library in London, U.K., is a movement super-star! Every Monday they offer Tai Chi at the library, Chair-Based exercises Tuesdays, Zumba Wednesdays, and Pilates Thursdays.

In California, Santa Monica Public Library is going to the beach this summer! Their pop-up beach library offers Yoga and Brazilian Dance classes, among other fun, engaging programs.

In South Dakota, you can now fix your bike at the Brookings Public Library, thanks to a new bike repair station installed at the library.

In Alabama, kids had the opportunity to learn the art of dancing at Selma Public Library.

In Washington, D.C., the D.C. Public Library completed its NINTH ANNUAL Tour de DCPL – a library sponsored bike tour of branches of the D.C. Public Library. Check it out and try it out at YOUR library.

In Ontario, the Welland Library is now checking out play. The library partners with Healthy Kids Community Challenge to check out an array of recreation equipment, from hula hoops to sporting goods, for loan at its three branches.

Was this newsletter forwarded to you?

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.

Sign Up