How Gail Borden Public Library Unlocked Wellness for All with HiveclassDigital
Client: Gail Borden Public Library (Elgin, Illinois). Leader: Melissa Bernasek – Division Chief of Public Services; Library Leader.
Focus: Equitable access
The Gail Borden Public Library District
(GBPLD) in Elgin, Illinois serves a community as diverse as it is vast, spanning urban, suburban and rural areas. For Melissa Bernasek, Division Chief of Public Services, this diversity meant one thing: the need for digital resources that truly appeal to everyone, regardless of their age, location, income or physical ability.
In their continuous mission to serve as the heart of lifelong learning and well-being, GBPLD recognized the importance of providing resources that meet patrons where they are especially when it comes to personal health and physical activity. Their search for a unique, highly accessible and affordable solution led them to HiveclassDigital.
> The Goal: Making the Difficult First Step Easier
The biggest hurdle to personal wellness is often just getting started.
People want to focus on mindfulness, become more active or help their aging parents move, but they don’t always know how to take that crucial first step.
GBPLD’s goal in adopting HiveclassDigital was precisely to remove that initial friction. “A lot of it was just getting started with something new,” says Melissa Bernasek. “I like to help people get started. That’s often the most difficult first step.”
The library sought a resource that could be delivered directly into people’s homes, emphasizing remote access due to the community’s wide geographical spread. HiveclassDigital, being available for all ages and abilities, became a unique offering to support this objective.
> Removing Barriers: Accessibility as the Deciding Factor
Affordability and uniqueness were key factors in GBPLD’s decision, but the platform’s focus on true accessibility was the non-negotiable feature that set it apart.
GBPLD serves a community deeply affected by the digital divide, where patrons range from early tech adopters to those with limited data, poor home internet or mobile-only access on devices with broken screens or no storage space.
“When it comes to downloading an app on their phone or their tablet, that is just a step that some people cannot make. And we need to recognize that.”
Melissa Bernasek,
Division Chief of Public Services
HiveclassDigital’s browser-first approach completely eliminates the barrier of app downloads and storage limitations. This feature was particularly praised by the library’s Hispanic Services Team, who work directly with English Language Learners (ELL) and Spanish-speaking-only patrons. They found the browser interface “easiest for most of the people that they work with,” making Hiveclass more successful for those populations than many other digital resources.
Furthermore, Hiveclass empowers patrons to access wellness content without having to disclose their physical limitations or barriers. “The best part is that they don’t have to tell us they have a barrier,” Melissa explains. Patrons can find chair exercises or adapted programs on their own terms, focusing on what they can do rather than what they can’t.
> The Impact: From Program to Patron Card
For the Gail Borden Public Library District the true measure of success isn’t just session counts, it’s new users and tangible community connection.
The Power of Programs and Partnerships
GBPLD immediately integrated Hiveclass into their programming and leveraged their hundreds of community partnerships with organizations like long-term care facilities and educational groups. These trusted partners help advocate for the library’s resources, extending the reach of Hiveclass to those who need it most.
A successful promotion, affectionately named “Hivetober,” helped the library build immediate momentum and promotional materials, proving how easily the resource can be integrated into existing communications and displays.
The Library Card Moment
The value of Hiveclass was most powerfully demonstrated during a recent library-led yoga class, conducted by the Hispanic Services Team. Due to rain and a conflicting demonstration, the class was moved last-minute to a different branch. Despite the logistical challenge, patrons who attended loved the program, which successfully integrated Hiveclass content.
The most exciting outcome occurred at the end: Two young women approached the desk specifically to get their library cards. This story perfectly illustrates how the resource serves as an essential connection point to the library, bringing new community members into the fold through a unique, high-value service they couldn’t afford or access otherwise.
“They said ‘We need to be able to access Hiveclass’. That made them get their library cards. That day we sold them and that was just so cool because you never really know what people are looking for and apparently we found it for them.”
Melissa Bernasek,
Division Chief of Public Services
> Sustaining Success: Continuous Promotion and Staff Empowerment
For GBPLD, the implementation of a new resource is not a one-time event, it requires continuous, specific staff training and a culture of upselling to their patrons.
Melissa advises her public service teams to integrate Hiveclass into every conversation. If a patron asks for a book on “cooking with diabetes,” staff are trained to respond, “Well, guess what? We have some other health and wellness resources, too.”
Crucially, GBPLD relies on Hiveclass to provide robust, ready-to-use support materials. “I’m not a fan of reinventing the wheel,” Melissa asserts. The library appreciates graphics, inverted graphics, and especially new tools like QR codes that can be slapped onto everything from bookmarks tucked into health books to display materials for a “march into health” program.
> Advice for other Libraries
HiveclassDigital perfectly aligns with the Gail Borden Public Library District’s core mission: providing information and access to everyone.
For other libraries considering adding HiveclassDigital to their collection, Melissa’s message is clear and straightforward:
By choosing a solution built around remote access, language inclusivity and the practical needs of patrons facing the digital divide, the Gail Borden Public Library District didn’t just add a resource, but opened a gateway to wellness, ensuring that every member of their diverse community has the resources they need to take their next great step toward a healthier life.
“Hiveclass is a unique product that can be easily integrated into programs, displays, and communication. It’s easy to talk about because it’s fun and there’s something for everyone.”
Melissa Bernasek,
Division Chief of Public Services