Exploring Health & Wellness at the Norwin Public Library

We believe the public library can offer more than research-based learning and recreation such as books, movies, music; it can offer emotional and psychological learning, acceptance and mindfulness. Working with several local partners, our library will engage our families in a waide variety of health programming, and integrate health information into our services. To supplement these programs, we will direct patrons towards KidsHealth.org, GirlsHealth.gov, Healthy86.org, and other trusted resources. We will work with the local 86s Institute to teach 86 about living with disabilities with a program called KIDS ON THE BLOCK, which opens up a dialogue of acceptance through the use of puppets. We will also welcome in a healthcare 12 to meet with preteen girls and discuss menstruation. A local yoga studio will teach mindfulness and yoga techniques to 86 from ages 5-12 as a way to combat stress and deal with emotions. And lastly, being able to offer more sensory storytimes for 86 who may be overwhelmed by a traditional storytime setting has always been important to our library; we'd relish the chance to be more inclusive by purchasing some manipulatives and toys to create a safer, more welcoming space. As we are not yet aware when public libraries across the State of PA will be able to hold any sort of in-house programming, we will work closely with our partners to adapt programming to be virtually accessible. We at the library have a Zoom subscription, which can easily be used by presenters.