It was a full room at our session this morning at the Association for Rural & Small Libraries conference on Libraries Advancing Community Learning to Reduce Substance Use. Learn more about this project and access the learning resources at lacl.missouri.edu

“Maine State Library is delighted to partner with Maine State Parks for Library Card Sign-Up Month,” said Lori Fisher, Maine’s state librarian. www.bangordailynews.com/2025/09/11/o... #EngagedLibraries

Share and extend your garden bounty at Spokane Public Library's fall harvest events www.inlander.com/food/share-a...

New North Carolina library program "Cumberland Cooks programs powered by the library’s new Charlie Cart mobile kitchens, made possible through a $40,500 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services" bizfayetteville.com/more-news/20...

Good new article on how public libraries are a key part of public health infrastructure, and need to be supported as such. www.wbur.org/cognoscenti/...

"Community gardens are becoming a local trend, with many similar projects in operation across Franklin County. This garden is different due to the partnership with and location at the local library, which helps tie it in with active community members." dailybulldog.com/features/car...

Libraries, often unifying spaces, increasingly offer public classes on nutrition literacy, food security, and how to get a good meal on the table.

In small town North Carolina, "Gunn Memorial Public Library and Plough Girls Association partnered to present two free hands-on cooking classes for adults" www.caswellmessenger.com/news/article...

In Spring 2025, 20 libraries across America joined Let's Move in Libraries and ConnectWell® for a Healthy Eating Challenge. On September 1, 2025, we released the report on this effort. Read the full report! letsmovelibraries.org/connect-well/

Our September newsletter is out! It includes the release of the Nature-Smart Libraries Toolkit, A Let's Move in Libraries story from Georgia, A new Libraries for Health toolkit, The release of the ConnectWell at the Library report, and more! letsmovelibraries.org/september-20...

"This unique program combines wellness and literature, encouraging residents to enjoy fresh air and movement while immersing themselves in audiobooks. Library staff will be on hand prior to the walk to provide support." www.tapinto.net/towns/hoboke...

Thanks to grant from State Library (via IMLS) rural library in Western NC shows "The kitchen doesn’t have to be a scary place. With proper tools and knowledge, kitchen literacy grants families the tools to maintain healthy lifestyles." slnc.substack.com/p/cooking-up...

In small town Minnesota "Derek Wallace, owner of Owl City Cycles in Houston, was kept busy checking over bicycles, and making adjustments and repairs. The event was hosted by the Library through a grant from Thrivent Financial." www.hometownsource.com/caledonia/ho...

Libraries, often unifying spaces, increasingly offer public classes on nutrition literacy, food security, and how to get a good meal on the table. civileats.com/2025/08/27/h... @civileats.com

“We are addressing the issue of food insecurity head-on. We see firsthand the challenges youth face,” Cat Huth, the library’s youth services librarian said. “These children often come in for a quick snack sometimes, but often they stay for hours at a time.” www.ncnewsonline.com/news/local_n...

"ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) – Roanoke County Parks & Recreation is working with the Roanoke County Public Library to bring community recreation to the Glenvar and South County Libraries." www.wfxrtv.com/roanoke-coun... #EngagedLibraries

Learn how Boston Bikes and Boston Public Library teaming up! www.iheart.com/podcast/1002...

Love this partnership in Western North Carolina (WNC). "WNC Repair Cafe organizer Dan Hettinger said they bounce around to different Buncombe County public libraries. The next Repair Cafe will be at the Black Mountain Public Library" Pics are from Pack Memorial Library. wlos.com/newsletter-d...

"Four Kentucky libraries are launching programs to keep families together, well resourced and educated, aided with $200,000 in grant money from the national nonprofit Youth Villages." kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/04/k...

💪 Looking to get fit? Try your local library!📚 Dr. Noah Lenstra’s Let's Move in Libraries initiative is inspiring libraries across the U.S. and around the world to boost healthy living in their communities. Learn more at 🔗 researchmagazine.uncg.edu/2025-issue/l...

The August 2025 Let's Move in Libraries newsletter is out! Read on for the final call for nominations for the I Partner with My Public Library Awards, inspiring stories from Oklahoma & Arkansas, Let's Move in Libraries in the news, and more! letsmovelibraries.org/august-2025-...

In Virginia "Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition and the Waynesboro Public Library hosting the event in partnership with the Waynesboro Office on Youth and Waynesboro Parks and Recreation." www.whsv.com/2025/07/21/r...

"The first Thursday of each month, people can sign up to bring a dish out of a selected cookbook. Jennifer Colton, who runs the program, said participants select the cookbooks as a group, just like a normal book club." eastoregonian.com/2025/07/19/c...

In Mississippi, the “Let’s Get Ready for Your Adventure” health fair organized in partnership between the Warren County-Vicksburg Public Library and United Way of West Central Mississippi. www.vicksburgpost.com/2025/07/17/o...

In California "Dixon Public Library grounds came alive with community spirit as local volunteers gathered for the community garden workday was hosted in collaboration with the Master Gardeners of Solano County and Sustainable Solano." www.independentvoice.com/2025/07/15/5... #EngagedLibraries

"CCPL [staff] noticed other libraries were doing bike share programs, so they approached Ashley Maksvytis, a health planner with CCCHD, to partner. She secured funding from the Ohio Department of Health." www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/bike-sh... #EngagedLibraries

Great news from California! fullertonobserver.com/2025/06/29/v...

Our July 2025 newsletter is out! Read on to learn about who has already applied for the 2025 I Partner with My Public Library Awards, which public libraries won the 2025 AARP Community Challenge grants, and more! letsmovelibraries.org/july-2025-ne...

In Kentucky "The Marshall County Public Library is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its brand-new outdoor space, designed to serve as a hub for library programming and community events." www.marshallcountydaily.com/2025/06/26/n...

In Ontario "In partnership with Bruce County Public Library, ten season passes will be available at the Paisley Library branch for sign-out. Library patrons can borrow the passes and return them as they would other library materials." #EngagedLibraries cknewstoday.ca/midwestern/n...

"CCPL [staff] noticed other libraries were doing bike share programs, so they approached Ashley Maksvytis, a health planner with CCCHD, to partner. She secured funding from the Ohio Department of Health." www.springfieldnewssun.com/news/bike-sh... #EngagedLibraries

Sarah Moscatello of Marathon County Public Library said, "As a library, everything we do is trying to provide for our community. Things families can come to that are safe, and gets them outside, as well as out into the community to meet other people." www.waow.com/news/maratho...

"MORGANTOWN, Ky. – In partnership with a local member of the League of Kentucky Sportsmen, the Butler County Public Library is now letting kids check out fishing poles and gear. The library has eight poles and tackle boxes available." #EngagedLibraries www.wnky.com/butler-count...

Greenfield Public Library teams up with MassWildlife to offer free fishing equipment rentals. The library's Pamela McBride and MassWildlife's Jennifer Jones "met a couple of years ago at a community services program, and worked together to make it possible" www.recorder.com/eveline-macd...

After a two-year fight over LGBTQ books and displays, Yancey County is pulling its public library out of a regional system. Residents wonder what will be left. Pride Cometh Before The Fall www.theassemblync.com/politics/yan...

"The City of Saint John, in partnership with four New Brunswick Public Libraries, is launching a groundbreaking initiative to promote physical activity and community engagement." saintjohn.ca/en/news-and-...

In NC "The Southern Pines Public Library is excited to announce a special event celebrating the lives, memories, and passions of our community’s seniors. Show and Tell for Seniors will take place on Friday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m.” sandhillssentinel.com/senior-show-...

In Wisconsin "Neighbors can soon enjoy a public library and a fitness center without leaving the rural community" thanks to new facility: #EngagedLibraries www.wbay.com/2025/06/05/o...

“Nature can seem far away—especially in a city. Yet its wonders are nearer than most of us realize,” said Debbink. “My residency will focus on ways we can connect with nature in our own neighborhoods and weave outdoor experiences into our everyday lives.” www.cityofmadison.com/news/2025-06...

In Michigan, thanks to a partnership between the Muskegon Area District Library and Muskegon County Bicycling Coalition, library patrons can borrow bikes in a variety of sizes, including kids’ bikes with training wheels. All bikes come with a helmet and lock. www.woodtv.com/news/muskego...

Great new blog post about how a small library launched a StoryWalk thanks to partnerships with parks department and an Eagle Scout. "No one on our staff had experience digging large holes, pouring concrete, or setting posts, and frankly…no one was very excited to learn. www.mylibraryis.org/blog/926

We just released the June newsletter! It includes the 2025 call for nominations for the I Partner with My Public Library Awards (featured image is from one of the 2024 Awardees), and much more. Please share widely! letsmovelibraries.org/june-2025-ne... #EngagedLibraries

In North Dakota "The Fargo library and Growing Together launched their summer garden with a community planting day on Thursday, May 29. Growing Together is a local nonprofit focused on neighborhood gardening and food access" #EngagedLibraries www.inforum.com/news/fargo/c...

Safe Routes to Libraries! “If you are a pedestrian, the library doesn't necessarily feel like it's a part of downtown. The wayfinding sidewalk murals aim to bridge the [gap]."https://www.wglt.org/local-news/2025-05-29/video-wayfinding-circus-themed-murals-connect-the-library-to-downtown-bloomington

Amazing partnership in Detroit! "For the first time this year the Detroit Black Farmer Land Fund is going on tour at local library branches to help get potential applicants ready and to answer questions about the program." #EngagedLibraries www.bridgedetroit.com/jbs-bites-he...

Small town Kingsville (Ohio) Public Library Director Mariana Branch said "We’re a meeting place for different agencies, and they need to meet with their clients, whether they’re job hunting or they’re looking for assistance. This is a safe place to meet." gazettenews.com/kpl-serves-c...

In Illinois "Bodley Lodge has presented four bikes and protective helmets to the Quincy Public Library for its summer youth reading program. At the end of the summer, the four youths who read the most books will receive the bikes." #EngagedLibraries muddyrivernews.com/commmunities...

Library director Ginger White Brunetti said “We’re thrilled to launch this unique partnership with Rebel Marketplace to bring fresh, local food and community connections right to the Library. Libraries are hubs for healthy, thriving neighborhoods” www.auroragov.org/news/whats_n...