Here at Hiveclass, we believe that libraries are beacons of learning and can become important catalysts for promoting holistic community health. Through this shared vision, I connected with Dr. Noah Lenstra, founder of Let’s Move in Libraries, and had the opportunity to interview him to learn more about his passion and mission, what he sees for the future of wellness in libraries, and a few other brilliant nuggets of knowledge.
I hope you enjoy Dr. Lenstra’s commentary as much as I have since meeting him earlier in 2024!
About Dr. Noah Lenstra:
Dr. Noah Lenstra, MS.LIS., is an associate professor of Library & Information Science at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His books include Healthy Living at the Library (2020, Bloomsbury) and 12 Steps to a Community-Led Library (2023, American Library Association Editions). Since 2016, Dr. Lenstra has managed the Let’s Move in Libraries initiative, which he started.
- What inspired you to launch Let’s Move in Libraries? And what are you hoping to change through LMIL?
I was inspired to start Let’s Move in Libraries in 2016 due to a confluence of different forces, but it really started with my professional curiosity about the differences and similarities between Parks & Recreation Agencies and Public Libraries. I began to explore that topic in my dissertation, which focused on digital literacy support for older adults. As I started a faculty position in the University of North Carolina system I started thinking about the many, many libraries that at the time had begun offering Yoga classes, including Yoga-infused storytimes: For instance the Boston Public Library’s About Us page states that library patrons can “participate in everything from yoga to ESL.”
To me, that sounded a lot like Parks & Recreation’s Community Centers! In any case, to learn more about this topic I reached out to Canadian library director Jenn Carson, who around 2012 started the Yoga in the Library webpage. During a long conversation, Jenn encouraged me to think about building an infrastructure to support knowledge sharing around this topic. I next consulted with the United States Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS), which was finishing up a large federal initiative focused on Let’s Move! Museums & Gardens, as part of then First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign.
I asked the IMLS if there was any similar initiative for public libraries, found out there wasn’t, and was thus inspired to start Let’s Move in Libraries! Eight years later, and here we are! My goals in Let’s Move in Libraries are to raise the profile of public libraries as community health partners, particularly in the domains of physical activity and healthy eating, while also creating spaces for peer-to-peer sharing and learning among public library workers interested in this topic. - In your own words, why is health and wellness important to the individual and to the community?
To me, health and wellness are foundational! At a theoretical level, I’m very inspired by the movement to develop Health in All Policies. According to the CDC, HiAP is “a collaborative approach that integrates and articulates health considerations into policymaking across sectors to improve the health of all communities and people.” To me, that means that if we care about health and wellness, it’s not enough to rely on doctors and public health professionals. We all have a part in safeguarding and supporting the health and wellness of ourselves, our families, our communities, and the broader public. - What types of initiatives or programs in health equity have you seen libraries successfully implement?
I’ve really seen a lot of changes over the last eight years, with the COVID-19 Pandemic being a major catalyst for change. If you were to ask me this question in 2019, I’d say that the programs or initiatives that were most addressing health equity would be in-person, indoor classes that lowered the bar to participation in physical activity. I’m thinking of things like chair-based Yoga classes, or strength-based exercising for older adults, or classes that start young children and their caregivers on pathways to lifelong health through movement and nutrition. But the COVID-19 Pandemic really turned the world upside, including public libraries.
During and since the Pandemic, I’ve seen a major reorientation of public libraries towards digitally-mediated services and outdoor-oriented services. In terms of digitally-mediated services, I saw a big rise in streaming programs, including streaming cooking and exercise programs, offered by public libraries. In terms of outdoor-oriented services, the most common program that accelerated during the pandemic was the StoryWalk, but in general I’m seeing public libraries really think thoughtfully about using outdoor spaces in new ways, a trend that began from social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
To give one example, just today I was reading about eight branches of the San Antonio (Texas) Public Library that have outdoor playgrounds, and even more are located close to parks, which they actively collaborate with to engage in outdoor activities. So I think the answer to your question has changed over time, and most likely will continue to change as public librarians explore new opportunities and new partnerships. - What areas of health and wellness do you think libraries could invest more in?
That is a hard question to answer! To me, I think the largest opportunity for investment centers on the area of coalitions. I think a lot of public libraries think that they have to develop services by themselves, but that is simply not true! The most impactful library services are often products of partnerships. And partnerships do not simply emerge out of thin air.
So to me I think the largest opportunity to invest one’s time centers around exploring opportunities to find new health and wellness partners, and then cultivate those relationships in ways that could create new programs, services, and impacts. From a programmatic perspective, I think there are opportunities in particular centered around K-12 health (as opposed to Pre-K development, where libraries are often well represented on coalitions) and older adult health (I’m thinking of Falls Prevention Coalitions in particular). - Are there any new organizations or partnerships that you are excited about?
I’m always excited about what libraries are doing! The thing I’m most excited about at the current moment is an emerging partnership with the Safe Routes Partnership, the League of American Bicyclists, America Walks, and the Urban Libraries Council. If everything comes together the way we hope it will, we’ll be positioned to start a national movement focused on Safe Routes to Libraries, modeled on previous successes developing Safe Routes to School and Safe Routes to Parks.
I’d love to see a world in which everyone can get to a public library without having to jump in a car or truck, instead using active transportation like walking or bicycling, as well as public transportation options. I think something like Safe Routes to Libraries is not only possible, it could have an incredible impact on health equity. - What future role do you envision for public libraries in promoting community health?
I think public libraries have so many opportunities! But one I’ll quickly share. I think public libraries can often be the canaries in the coalmine of our nation’s health. Given the fact that they are open to everyone, they often see critical health issues in a tangible way. I’m thinking of the crises so many cities are experiencing right now related to homelessness and substance misuse, but also issues like obesity, hunger, and social isolation that are so common across America.
I’d love to see a world in which public libraries are able to share the insights they have about community health, based on their unique perspectives, in ways that could drive civic engagement, community organization, and action. - Are there any other words you would like to share with library professionals out there who are interested in bringing more health-minded resources to their patrons?
I’d just like two things: The first being that you’re not alone! So many other people and organizations in your community care about the health and wellness of your community. The more you’re able to communicate to them that the library cares about health, the more likely you’ll be able to work together to develop new things.
The second being that mental health and physical health are not completely distinct! I think sometimes public librarians feel a little more comfortable talking about mental health than physical health given the idea that public libraries are ‘gymnasiums for the mind,’ but don’t be afraid to also talk about and to look for opportunities to engage in physical health as well!