Welcome to the June 2018 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries. This edition highlights a) our new advisory board, b) a new recorded webinar on senior fitness programs, c) an opportunity to learn more about movement-based programs at ALA Annual 2018, and d) news stories featured on our social media accounts of libraries that move.

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

New Advisory Board!

We are thrilled to announce the 2018-2019 members of the Let’s Move in Libraries Advisory Board. The 16 members of of the Advisory Board represent public libraries in New Brunswick, Alberta, Kansas, Utah, California, Iowa, North Carolina, Georgia, Maryland, Ohio, and Maine. We work in small towns and big cities. We include presidents of state library associations and recent grads of MLIS programs. We include librarians with certifications in Yoga, Zumba, and Personal Training, as well as Early Literacy experts who know who to get kids moving from a young age. We are Gardeners, CrossFitters, Roller Derby Players, Runners, Bicyclists, Hikers, and Walkers. And in our libraries we offer movement-based programs for all ages and abilities.

During 2018-2019, the advisory board will provide critical input that will guide future directions in the Let’s Move in Libraries initiative. 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.

Bios and photos of the 2018-2019 Advisory Board will be posted on our website next month. For now, we are thrilled and honored to share the names and affiliations or the 2018-2019 Let’s Move in Libraries Advisory Board.

Jenn Carson (Inaugural Advisory Board Member), L.P. Fisher Public Library, New Brunswick
Lisa Weekes, Chinook Arch Regional Library System, Alberta
Kaitlyn Schneweis, Salina Public Library, Kansas
Anna Zanarini, Salt Lake City Public Library, Utah
Cosette Ratliff, Alameda County Library, California
Staci Stanton, Knoxville Public Library, Iowa
Lisa Hartzell, Haywood County Public Library, North Carolina
Amy Mapel, Carnegie Library in Newnan, Georgia
Catherine Jellison, Anne Arundel County Public Library, Maryland
Heidi Whelan, Baxter Memorial Library, Maine
Barbara Scott, Bucyrus Public Library, Ohio
Natalia Tuchina, Forsyth County Public Library, North Carolina
Andi Jackson-Darling, Falmouth Memorial Library, Maine
Betsy Sumerford, Alamance County Public Library, North Carolina
Danielle Fortin, Lewiston Public Library, Maine
Heidi Beke-Harrigan, OhioNET, Ohio

New recorded webinar on senior fitness programs

On June 6, we held the free Summer 2018 Let’s Move in Libraries webinar (the fifth in our quarterly webinar series) on the topic of Senior Fitness Programs in the Library. During an inspiring hour, Crystal D. Holland, the Branch Manager of the Rural Hall Library in Forsyth County North Carolina, and Jane Schweinsburg, Assistant Director of the Coventry Public Library in Rhode Island, shared with us their stories of offering chair-based and low-impact exercise classes at their libraries. Stephanie Dailey, the director of the National Institute on Aging’s Go4Life campaign, discussed free, evidence-based resources you can use in your library to promote physical activity among older adults. The webinar ended with an engaging discussion. Did you miss it? Not to worry! You can access the recording on our website.

Learn about movement-based programs at ALA Annual 2018

Heading to New Orleans next week for the annual meeting of the American Library Association? Make sure to stop by Room 356 of the Morial Convention Center on Sunday, June 24, at 9 a.m. for an exciting session entitled “Trending Topics from ALA Publishing: Get Moving in Your Library – Physical Literacy, Yoga, and More!”

Learn about this trending topic from two experts who have recently published books with ALA editions on movement-based programs in public libraries: Katie Scherrer and Jenn Carson.

News stories you may have missed

Follow (and share with) Let’s Move in Libraries on Facebook 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:

Need to borrow some wheels? Fitchburg, Southbridge libraries (MA) loan bikes as well as books.

What do you get when you combine nutritious #SummerMeals with reading, #mindfulness and physical activity? Summer Programs at Bristol Public Library in CT.

Kenya National Library Service Nakuru Branch Fitness Club takes place every Tuesday, Thursday & Friday 4:30pm-5:30pm. Wlcome to exercise with fun.

Fitness kits come to @PEILibrary. Now available at ALL libraries on Prince Edward Island (Canada):  “Fitness kits for toddlers – foam dice, a foam Frisbee, and sensory balls, and fitness kits for adults – skipping rope, resistance band and yoga mat.”

Iredell County Public Library in North Carolina kicks off Summer Reading Program for Teens with a pool party at the YMCA and rock climbing at Statesville Fitness & Activity Center.

Detroit Public Library offers Motor City Tai Chi with Wu Style Certified Instructor this summer.

Kids and adults moved at Zumba classes at @MarshallPubLib (TX) on Tuesday to kick off summer reading with a fun, uplifting workout. Next class = June 26

Before school is out this week, families will be able to check out a backpack full of tennis essentials from the @ilsley_library in Middlebury, VT for some summer fun.

Land Trust and the Wenatchee Public Library (WA) launch #StoryWalk with “Call Me Tree,” a bilingual storybook, on local trail to promote time outdoors, physical activity and literacy all at once.

The Claverack Free Library and the Philmont Public Library (NY) organized 5th Book It! 5K Run raising funds for the libraries. Librarian inspired to have a 5K fundraiser after running in local 5Ks and noticing many of runners were library patrons.

Georgia state parks, libraries celebrate 10 years of working collaboratively to get residents of Georgia active in state parks

New York Librarians at @nypl throw “prom for the rest of us” among the stacks, with dancing, scuba gear, puppies and costumes

Fitness Fridays back for third year at @lawrencelibrary. Try a different exercise each Friday morning during the summer.

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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.