Email: njlenstr@uncg.edu
Website: Let's Move in Libraries: Movement-Based Programs in Public Libraries
Facebook: Noah Lenstra Twitter: @nlenstr2
Noah Lenstra is an assistant professor of library and information studies at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro School of Education. He received his PhD from the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science. His research and teaching focus on community engagement and community informatics in public libraries.
For the sixth year, Devon Libraries in the United Kingdom offers Active Life, Active Mind programming series. This year features over 250 events across the county. Their slogan is “take a step in the right direction and try a new activity this January at your local library.” Meanwhile, here in the U.S., dozens of libraries planning “New Year, New You” programs
On October 7, 2017, the Huntington City-Township Public Library became the first public library in the United States to host a Fun Palace. During the weekend, the library was filled with activities led by community members. At different stations inside and outside the library building, you could learn how to start your family tree, paint like Jackson Pollock, discover Dungeons & Dragons, ballet, ride a bike, cross-stritch, hula dance, stretch your body, decorate cakes, paint rocks, and much, much more. According to Devon Henderson, the library “ended up with 68 volunteers, 24 unique activity stations and over 500 in attendance.”
What was once a fledgling experiment taking place in a few public libraries across the country has now become a mainstream success. Through summer feeding programs, public libraries are finding new ways to serve and engage their communities, while also contributing to the fight to end food insecurity, and pulling new audiences into their libraries.
From California to Singapore, new public library buildings are co-locating with spaces for exercise and health. Learn about this trend and try something new in your library.
More and more public libraries now include bicycles in their circulating collections. Find out why they do it and how it works.
Annie Cipolla is a Master Gardener and the Young Adult Librarian at the Pacific Palisades Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Before becoming a librarian, she worked in television as a broadcast journalist, editor, and producer in Baltimore, San Francisco, New York City and Los Angeles. In recognition of how she weaves together her skills to enrich the lives of teenagers and their families, she is also one of ten librarians from throughout the United States awarded the I Love My Librarian! Award in 2017.
A recent report highlights growing demand for “librarians, curators, and archivists,” despite articles proclaiming the end of the profession. Communicating our value is required to abolish these stereotypical ideas about the end of libraries.
Recent research shows that many public libraries now manage seed libraries. This unique kind of “library of things” has many benefits for libraries and for the communities they serve.
The Association for Rural and Small Libraries recently held their tenth annual conference. More than 550 librarians gathered to discuss issues and concerns unique to libraries in sparsely populated areas. Next year’s conference will be in Springfield, Illinois.
A recent NPR story highlights an emerging trend in public libraries, providing opportunities for older adults to exercise and have fun together at the library.
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