Public libraries encourage individuals and communities to get ‘Fit for Life’!

Seventeen library services across America have been awarded £292,000 to develop a programme aimed at increasing the awareness of library users within urban settings about the importance of physical and brain health.

The ‘Fit for Life’ initiative will provide free, balanced and trustworthy information on issues related to personal health, nutrition, health care provision and physical fitness. With the potential to reach almost 7 million people via branch libraries this project will surely produce enoromous value for both communities and individual users.

Reminded me of a smaller scale project launched earlier this year by East Renfrewshire’s Library & Information Service in Scotland (with financial support from SLAINTE), called My Health; a health information portal aimed at improving access to reliable health information on the web.

Both projects once again illustrating the social value of public libraries and their potential to change lives!

‘Fit for Life’ Story found via ALA Direct.

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Changing the way we Look at Libraries?

Last year I joined East Renfrewshire’s Library & Information Service for a four week placement, as part of my Masters degree.   During that time I got to meet and work with an amazing bunch of librarians, including the inspirational Liz McGettigan.  It was my job to evaluate the impact of  their Look at Libraries festival, which offered users opportunities to attend and participate in a range of events at their local library:
Author events
Theatre workshops for children
Genealogy seminars
Learning workshops
Pottery classes
Cookery demos
Comedy evenings

What’s all this got to do with public libraries, you may ask?  Well, quite a lot actually…libraries aren’t just about books anymore, or hadn’t you heard? 😉 

My name in print – how exciting!  
My final report has just been published by Library Review –  If you’re lucky enough to have an Emerald password and you’re interested in the impact that this festival had on the local community then check it out on Emerald. 

Alternatively, e-mail me direct and I’d be happy to share my findings with you.

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