Dr. Noah Lenstra

Dr. Lenstra is an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science in the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) where he brings a community organizing approach to the study and teaching of public librarianship. Notably, Noah founded the Let’s Move in Libraries Initiative, which focuses on supporting healthy living in public libraries. The project was inspired by Former First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, which focused on increasing Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL) among Americans. Let’s Move in Libraries continues Obama's legacy by working to increase physical activity and nutrition through libraries in the U.S., Canada, and other places in the world. Noah has a special interest in supporting healthy aging through public library partnerships, and he is an affiliated faculty member in the Gerontology Program at UNCG. He received a Master’s degree and a PhD in Library & Information Science from the University of Illinois.

Pre-Conference Full Day Option: Wednesday, October 18, 2023, 9am-4pm.

(Registration for a full day session is $135.00. Lunch is included.)

Title: Let’s Move in Libraries! How 1,000+ public libraries started promoting fun, physical activity, and how you can too!

Description: StoryWalks, Yoga storytimes, sidewalk obstacle courses, nature hikes, falls prevention classes for older adults. These are just some of the hundreds of ways public librarians across North America (and beyond!) promote fun, physical activities in their communities. This workshop introduces the idea of public libraries as partners in the promotion of healthy living, and shares how you too can be successful by forming, leveraging, and sustaining community partnerships, with everyone from Yoga instructors to hospital outreach staff to Area Agencies on Aging. Learn how to build library staff confidence in building and participating in community partnerships that magnify the role public libraries play as key contributors to healthy living.

The day is divided into four sections:

· Introduction to Let’s Move in Libraries and who public librarians got involved in the promotion of active, healthy living

· Who cares about healthy living in my community and region? Identifying and reaching out to potential partners

· From plans to actions: Developing and delivering active living programs with partners

· Library advocacy, health advocacy, and storytelling – communicating the difference you and your partners make

By the end of this workshop you’ll be able to communicate how and why public libraries get involved in active, healthy living promotion, and you’ll have a plan in place to try something new with your community.

This pre-conference session is sponsored by:


Arizona Library Association

Building Strong Libraries Together

7760 E State Route 69
Ste C5 #385
Prescott Valley, AZ 86314

(928) 288-2011
admin@azla.org


AzLA Mobile App (Android) AzLA Mobile App (iOS)
Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software