February 25-29: Public Library Association Conference

How To Add Movement To Library Programming

Date: 2/28/2020  Format: In-person conference presentations

During the 2020 Public Library Conference, Let’s Move in Libraries Founder and Director Dr. Lenstra presented in the How-To Festival on “How To Add Movement
To Library Programming”. Presentation from 10:30-10:50 on Friday, February 28, in the Exhibits Hall, How-To Stage. 

Dr. Lenstra is also speaking at Niche Academy’s Meet the Experts at PLA Stage in the Exhibits Hall on “Healthy Living at the Library” on Friday, February 28, from 1-1:30 p.m.

The morning of February 28, we are convening an open conversation about the possibility of collaborating with America Walks on a Walking College for Librarians. Join us at Fresh Pick Market Cafe in the Music City Center at 9 a.m. on Friday, February 28 for that conversation. 

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Resources mentioned during the presentation

 

Why move in libraries?

Eric Klinenberg demonstrates how moving in libraries builds social connections in Library Lanes program at Brooklyn Public Library: https://twitter.com/ericklinenberg/status/1050769547605753857

Find out what the federal government has to say about the importance of all sectors getting involved in promoting active living at https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/activepeoplehealthynation/index.html

Learn about the importance of play in library programming at http://everychildreadytoread.org/

and Celano, D. C., Knapczyk, J. J., & Neuman, S. B. (2018). Public libraries harness the power of play. YC Young Children, 73(3). https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/jul2018/public-libraries-harness-play/

And learn about the PlayBrary (featuring a kid sized climbing wall!!) https://www.brookings.edu/blog/
education-plus-development/2020/02/20/playbrary-a-new-vision-of-the-neighborhood-library/

And find out how to Move Your Way at https://health.gov/moveyourway

Are there Safe Routes to Your Library? Get resources to start here https://www.saferoutespartnership.org/

And see an example here: https://www.cityofpaloalto.org/civicax/filebank/documents/53958

Learn more about the importance of connecting safe routes to everyday destinations (including libraries!) at https://www.cdc.gov/physicalactivity/community-strategies/beactive/index.html

Policy makers increasingly see the public library as a safe place for all ages to get moving – learn more at Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. (2017). Achieving Health Equity: Fun and Fitness in a library parking lot. https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/features/achieving-health-equity.html

 

How to move in libraries

Wisconsin Library Association’s Youth Services Section gives us a play-list for a library dance party: http://yssevents.blogspot.com/2017/01/dance-dance-dance.html

Find even more play lists at JBrary at https://jbrary.com/youtube-playlists/

Get free videos of evidence-based fitness programs for older adults from the National Institute on Aging (NIA) at https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/workout-videos/

 

Extend your programs with partnerships

Get information on how to build partnerships around movement-based programs for older adults from the NIA at https://go4life.nia.nih.gov/libraries/

Take your programs outside with some help from the Children & Nature Network https://www.childrenandnature.org/wp-content/uploads/CCCN_NatureLibraries.pdf

Get inspired to start an “active” library of things at https://www.smyrnavision.com/get-smyrna-strong-smyrna-library-rent-fitness-equipment-library-card/smyrna-strong-collection/

Or how about Late Night Recess? Check out Arlington (VA) Public Library’s approach at https://www.arlnow.com/2017/08/04/late-night-recess-returns-to-arlington-central-library-2/

Search Vimeo for Creative Commons videos you can use to get your community moving!

Library Director Jenn Carson has AMAZING resources –  http://jenncarson.com/resources.html

Or how about Instant Recess at the Library? https://infopeople.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=77

Learn how to bring songs and stretches into your storytimes at https://www.storiessongsandstretches.com/

Try a walking book club or StoryWalk with some help from the ALA’s Public Programs Office https://programminglibrarian.org/learn/taking-walk-library-storywalk%C2%AE-walking-book-clubs-and-more

Get inspired to offer free fitness and exercise classes from the Nashville Public Library https://library.nashville.org/event/be-well-npl

 

Attend to accessibility and concerns about liability

Whatever you do make it accessible! Get some information to help you plan from the New York Public Library in blog post https://www.nypl.org/blog/2018/04/03/accessible-personal-fitness-disabilities-tips-tech

Get examples of waiver of liability forms at https://letsmovelibraries.org/resources/