Funding Recipient Spotlight: Florence Community Library

Posted in: All Members, Funding, Request for Applications

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We want to highlight the amazing work being done in our region by regularly featuring NNLM-funded projects in our nine states. This week, we are featuring Florence Community Library’s (FCL) Health Lifestyle program led by Library Manager, Lisa Lewis.

Utilizing funds obtained through NNLM Region 4, FCL’s health initiative aimed to promote healthy lifestyles among older adults, youth, and families. Key activities included monthly nutrition classes, weekly exercise classes, “Raising Healthy Kids” monthly workshops, and creating a “Library of Things” which circulated items encouraging a healthy lifestyle (e.g., cooking tools, exercise equipment, etc.). Many of these sessions incorporated NLM resources, such as MedlinePlus, to promote trustworthy health information tools to the public. “Our objectives were to educate our community on the importance of healthy lifestyles and facilitate a change in behavior,” said Lisa Lewis.

Overall, the Health Lifestyle project was a complete success. Attendees shared their positive feedback about the initiative, including “What an amazing service this is,” “This is the best library,” and “I wish my library at home did these types of programs.” One particularly notable success story belongs to an 86-year-old participant, Barbara, who had high blood pressure and mobility issues. After regularly attending the exercise classes for a few months, Barbara managed to not only lower her blood pressure but also greatly improve her mobility and balance. Her doctor said he was “proud of her and to keep doing what she was doing.”

While FCL celebrated the success of the nutrition and exercise classes—prompting the addition of “Cardio Drumming”—they faced challenges engaging teens in healthy cooking. Attendance was not what FCL had anticipated, so they will be modifying their concept for the next round of classes. “We do plan on offering the cooking program for teens [again] in the future. We will change our approach and let the teens decide what they would like to see rather than us making that decision for them,” Lewis noted.

Looking to the future, FCL plans to continue the Healthy Lifestyle programming to keep serving the needs of their community. In May 2024, FCL added another exercise group called the “Red Hot Chili Steppers,” which is a walking club. The project not only raised awareness about library services but also established FCL as a trusted resource for community health.

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Looking to obtain funding to create or expand your outreach programming or technology resources? We are currently accepting applications for Year 5. The deadline to apply is coming up on Friday, November 15, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. MT. Please reach out to your state’s point of contact with any questions you may have.

• Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico – Dana Abbey
• Idaho, Montana, Utah – George Strawley
• North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming – David Brown

Planning on submitting an application? Reach out to John Bramble to assist you with a budget review. If you would like to learn more about the grant application process, check out the recording and slides from a recent NNLM webinar.