Healthy Living at the Library

This broad-ranging resource is for librarians who want to begin a new program or incorporate healthy living into an existing one. From garden plots to cooking classes to StoryWalks to free yoga, more and more libraries are developing innovative programs and partnerships to encourage healthy living. Libraries increasingly provide health and wellness programs for all ages and abilities, and Healthy Living at the Library is intended for library staff of all types who want to offer programs and services that foster healthy living, particularly in the domains of food and physical activity. Author Noah Lenstra, who has extensive experience directing and advising on healthy living programs, first outlines steps librarians should take when starting programs, highlighting the critical role of community partnerships. The second section of the book offers detailed instructions for running different types of programs for different ages and abilities. A third section includes advice on keeping the momentum of a program going and assessing program impacts. Lenstra offers tips on how to overcome challenges or roadblocks that may arise. An appendix contains resources you can adapt to get these programs off the ground, including waivers of liability, memoranda of understanding, and examples of strategic plans and assessment tools.

Noah Lenstra

PART I: SETTING THE STAGE FOR HEALTHY LIVING AT THE LIBRARY Chapter 1-Introduction to Healthy Living at the Library Chapter 2-Why Libraries? Everyone Has a Role to Play Chapter 3-History: It's Longer Than You Think! Chapter 4-How Do We Do This? Partnerships Extend Access to Healthy Living Opportunities PART II: STARTING PROGRAMS Chapter 5-Look Inward: Healthy Libraries Create Healthy Programs Chapter 6-Exercise Your Resources and Don't Do It Alone Chapter 7-Seek and Give Support in Communities of Librarians Chapter 8-Watch Your Step: Key Challenges and Solutions PART III: OFFERING PROGRAMS Chapter 9-Healthy Living in All Programs Chapter 10-All Ages Play, or Why Should Kids Have All the Fun? Chapter 11-Immersive Cooking and Fitness Classes Chapter 12-Creating Health-Supporting Spaces and Collections for Your Programs Chapter 13-Take Your Programs Outside Chapter 14-Putting the Pieces Together into a Programming Plan Chapter 15-Healthy Living across the Seasons: Ideas for Year-Round Healthy Living PART IV: SUSTAINING HEALTHY LIVING AT THE LIBRARY Chapter 16-Assessing and Communicating the Impacts You've Made Chapter 17-Building and Maintaining the Momentum Appendix A: Waiver of Liability Appendix B: Memorandum of Understanding References Index