Welcome to the October 2018 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries. This edition highlights: a) physical activity in British libraries; b) a free learning opportunity; c) stories you may have missed; and d) a request to share your experiences with stationary bikes at the library.

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

We love to move in British public libraries!

Last month saw a lot of physical activity in British public libraries. During October 5-6, more than 200 U.K. public libraries held Fun Palaces, and then from October 8-13 CILIP celebrated Libraries Week with the theme of Wellbeing. Let’s Move in Libraries tracked all the action as it unfolded. For their Fun Palace, the Brixton Tate Library invited the Brixton Bulls to set up a “a rugby training assault course through the library” that all could try out. In Devon, the library’s Fun Palace featured Tai Chi, a Smoothy Bike, Yoga, and more. And check out this great video of Trafford Libraries helping patrons learn how to ballroom dance. Want to bring Fun Palaces to your library in 2019? Check out this article in Public Libraries Online to get started.

The fun continued during Libraries Week, when Blackpool Libraries hosted Salsa Dancing, Pilates, baby-bouncing, and more. Cardiff Libraries hosted special Yoga programs throughout the week – as their flyer stated they wanted to show that “almost anyone can do yoga: Try something new during National Libraries Week, with sessions taking place across the city.” And the Suffolk Library hosted “Boccia, New Age Kurling and Table Tennis” at the library to get people moving and support their wellbeing. Our featured image this month comes from Northumberland Libraries, where the library offered free Yoga as part of its Libraries Week celebration.

It was great to see this celebration of physical activity in British public libraries! Let’s do more of this! Did you do something special for Fun Palaces weekend or Libraries Week? Let us know! We’d love to feature you.

Let’s Get Moving at the Library! A Free Webinar on October 23

Want to try something new at your library? Join Let’s Move in Libraries October 23 at 11 a.m. EST for a free webinar hosted by the Indiana State Library. Librarians in Indiana will earn one LEU, but all are welcome. Click here to register.

Stories you may have missed from the last month

To celebrate Latinx Heritage Month, Hyde Square Task Force and the Connolly branch of the Boston Public Library partnered to create an interactive story walk in Jamaica Plain’s Latin Quarter. Read this great article in The Bay State Banner to learn how it works!

In Alberta, the Red Deer Public Library hosted a Yogathon to raise funds for the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre. Read about it in the Red Deer Advocate.

In Florida, the Maitland Public Library offers a chance to form friendships and healthy habits with its Maitland Walks group. The West Orange Times did a great news story on this program.

No matter how slow or steady, the goal of the Lorain Public Library System’s Tai Chi for Arthritis series is to get seniors moving. Read more about it in The Morning Journal (Ohio).

The library can play a role in promoting healthy exercise and activities by sponsoring outdoor activities and lessons. One such activity my library has chosen to sponsor is skateboarding lessons for teens at a local skate park, simply called Learn to Skateboard. Check out how this program works on the Programming Librarian.

Some libraries are getting young kids reading by taking the books outside. Find out how in this article published September 25, 2018, on CityLab.

A close relationship between libraries and state parks may seem odd, but in Bartow County, Georgia, it works. The Bartow County Library System is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the partnership by forming a new hiking club. Read about it on The Daily Tribune News.

At the Yukon Public Library, Yukon Territories, Canada, the library has an annual program called Read to Swim. After reading for one hour at the library, kids are given a voucher for free admission to the pool. Read more about how the program works on the Programming Librarian.

Did the media cover a program your library offers, or did you write (or present at a conference) about your movement-based programs? Share with us!!! We’d love to share your stories.

A North Carolina library tries something new

One library that shared its story with us is the Haywood County Public Library in North Carolina. According to Kathy Olsen, Programming Librarian, the library is starting two new physical activity programs in November. These new programs have been added to our interactive map of where libraries move. Take a look and send us updates from your library!

Walk This Way!
This fall and winter start your week off right with some fun group fitness at the library! Walking indoors can be fun with a group and high energy music and walking with others will boost your motivation. Give it a try! No registration required, we will meet every other Monday with the exception of holidays Library will provide exercise bands. (Some DVD’s include it in the workout but it is always optional.) *All participants will be required to sign waivers of liability so please come a few minutes early. Adults only please.

Yoga for beginners
Yoga series with local teacher Karen McGovern. You can come to one or all four. Registration is required. Attendees required to bring their own mat. *All participants will be required to sign waivers of liability so please come a few minutes early. Adults only please

A request to share your experiences with stationary bikes at the library

We are currently writing an article on public libraries that have stationary bikes, of whatever sort (e.g. under-the-desk peddlers, bikes with built-in tables for laptops, etc.), in the library.

Here are some examples:

“Taunton middle school library adds stationary bikes for energetic readers”

“Stationary Bikes Join Books in Virginia School Library”

“Stationary reading bike comes to Noble County Public Library on trail run”

“School library incorporates reading with exercise”

If you have stationary bikes at your library, or have thought of getting them, reach out to us! We would love to feature your experiences in this forthcoming article, which we will make freely available to all.

An opportunity to support physical activity among older adults

Through our national partner, the National Institute on Aging’s Go4Life, Let’s Move in Libraries has formed a partnership with Geri-Fit, a progressive resistance exercise program designed for older adults. We are helping Geri-Fit start a virtual fitness study with rural and small libraries throughout the United States. There is still time to get involved and to bring this program to your library. Visit our website for more information on how to participate.

Follow us on social media for all the latest stories

Follow (and share with) Let’s Move in Libraries on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to stay up-to-date with what public libraries around the world do to get their communities moving. Tag us on these platforms to share what your libraries are doing!

Share with us your news! Tag us on social media and 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 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.

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.