Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
Associate Professor of Library & Information Science at University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Founder of Let's Move in Libraries. Engaged scholar of community collaboration involving public libraries
Public Health
19%
Computer science
19%
January 2026 newsletter | Let's Move in Libraries
JANUARY 2026 NEWSLETTER
The January 2026 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries includes:
A celebration of the I Partner with My Public Library Awardees
How to get money for community-based p...
letsmovelibraries.org
January 2026 Let's Move in Libraries newsletter includes: How to get money for community-based projects at your library, A call for participation in a survey on coalitions and public libraries, A recap of StoryWalk Week 2025, and more!
letsmovelibraries.org/january-2026...
letsmovelibraries.org/january-2026...
Austin Public Library to Launch Bike Tool Loan Program in 2026 | Austin Public Library
The Austin Public Library (APL), in partnership with the City of Austin’s Transportation & Public Works Department (TPW) and its Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program, is launching a new Bike...
library.austintexas.gov
"The Austin Public Library (APL), in partnership with the City of Austin’s Transportation & Public Works Department (TPW) and its Transportation Demand Management (TDM) Program, is launching a new Bike Tool Loan Program in 2026." library.austintexas.gov/news/austin-... @rdlankes.bsky.social
StoryWalk® Week 2025 | Let's Move in Libraries
StoryWalk® Week 2025
In December 2025, Let’s Move in Libraries joined the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services for the fifth annual week-long event celebrating the inspiring work of l...
letsmovelibraries.org
The webpage for StoryWalk Week 2025 is now live! Scroll through the 51 stories shared last week for this annual celebration. letsmovelibraries.org/storywalk-we...
Reposted by Noah Lenstra
Warm Spaces Update | Libraries Connected Webinars | 2025
YouTube video by Libraries Connected
www.youtube.com
Many #Libraries are registered as Warm Spaces with the @warmwelcomeuk.bsky.social.
Our webinar with the Good Faith Foundation explains the Warm Welcome campaign and the benefits for libraries in getting involved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpFv...
Our webinar with the Good Faith Foundation explains the Warm Welcome campaign and the benefits for libraries in getting involved.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpFv...
Putt between the Pages
The Estevan Public Library transformed its space into a festive playground December 5–7, hosting its annual mini golf event that drew in hundreds of participants. Branch Manager Jason Redshaw says thi...
discoverestevan.com
In Estevan, Saskatchewan "local high school students volunteered to help set up and decorate the [annual mini golf at the library] course" and over 250 partook of the fun over the weekend discoverestevan.com/articles/put... #EngagedLibraries
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Dec 4
December 2025 newsletter | Let's Move in Libraries
DECEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
The December 2025 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries includes:
A celebration of the 2025 I Partner with My Public Library Awardees
A call for participation in a s...
letsmovelibraries.org
Check out the December 2025 newsletter to learn more about the 2025 I Partner with My Public Library Awardees, A call for participation in a short survey on SilverSneakers® and public libraries, StoryWalk Week 2025, and more letsmovelibraries.org/december-202...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Dec 4
Great Falls Public Library launches mobile kitchen to boost community health
GREAT FALLS, Mont. – The Great Falls Public Library is preparing to roll out a new resource aimed at promoting healthier living in the community. The library has become the
www.montanarightnow.com
Library Community Engagement Coordinator Sarah Cawley said the library hopes to collaborate with organizations to use the cart as a shared educational resource. "This is not just a library resource. This is a community resource."
www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/... #EngagedLibraries
www.montanarightnow.com/great-falls/... #EngagedLibraries
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Nov 21
Students participate in World Diabetes Day Expo at public library - Antigua Observer Newspaper
By Kisean Joseph [email protected] A number of students from eight primary and secondary schools gathered at the National Public Library yesterday for the third annual World Diabetes D...
antiguaobserver.com
The National Public Library of Antigua and Barbuda teamed up w/ the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Ministry of Education, the National School Meals Program, the Medical Benefits Scheme, and the Ministry of Health to offer this event. #EngagedLibraries antiguaobserver.com/students-par...
Reposted by Noah Lenstra
Schedule & Registration — LIS Pedagogy Chat
www.lispedagogychat.org
How do LIS programs prepare students to work with communities? Our next LIS Pedagogy Chat dives into this question, sharing successes and struggles from one LIS program, and opening up space to share how we teach about relationships. Friday, November 7, 2 pm ET, with @noahlenstra.bsky.social .
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Oct 1
October 2025 newsletter | Let's Move in Libraries
OCTOBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
The October 2025 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries includes:
The announcement of the 2025 I Partner with My Public Library Awards
A reminder about our new Connect...
letsmovelibraries.org
The October newsletter includes the announcement of the 2025 I Partner with My Public Library Awards, A reminder about our new ConnectWell at the Library report, and How and why to join our monthly Birds of a Feather online conversation. Check it out!
letsmovelibraries.org/october-2025...
letsmovelibraries.org/october-2025...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 18
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
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 12
Your library card will get you into Maine's state parks for free later this month
Your library card won't just be your ticket for your imagination to wander but also your passport to many Maine state parks.
www.bangordailynews.com
“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
www.bangordailynews.com/2025/09/11/o... #EngagedLibraries
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 11
Share and extend your garden bounty at Spokane Public Library's fall harvest events
Thousands flocked to Spokane Public Library's Shadle Park branch for its annual plant swap at the end of April, stocking up on plant starts necessary...
www.inlander.com
Share and extend your garden bounty at Spokane Public Library's fall harvest events
www.inlander.com/food/share-a...
www.inlander.com/food/share-a...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 10
New Cumberland County Library program promotes culinary literacy | BizFayetteville
 Each Charlie Cart mobile kitchen is a compact culinary powerhouse, featuring a convection oven, induction cooktop, sink, and ample storage for over a hundred utensils and kitchen accessories...
bizfayetteville.com
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...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 9
Libraries are public health hubs
The roots of community health and wellness extend out into the 9,000 or so public libraries across the U.S., writes Katherine O'Malley. But the Trump administration has moved to end federal funding fo...
www.wbur.org
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/...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 9
Carrabassett Valley Public Library goes beyond books with a community garden
The Carrabassett Valley Public Library goes beyond just books in its service to the region, also housing a community garden where people have come together through volunteerism to exchange knowledge…
dailybulldog.com
"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...
Reposted by Noah Lenstra
How Libraries Are Creating Community Through Food
Libraries nationwide are offering community classes on nutrition, food security, and how to get a good meal on the table.
buff.ly
Libraries, often unifying spaces, increasingly offer public classes on nutrition literacy, food security, and how to get a good meal on the table.
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 4
Community cooking program held in Yanceyville thanks to library and Lucindy
By Debra Ferrell
www.caswellmessenger.com
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...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 4
ConnectWell at the Library | Let's Move in Libraries
ConnectWell® at the Library
Report released September 1, 2025
Full report name: ConnectWell® at the Library Report: Piloting 5-Week Wellness Challenge Model at Public Libraries to Evaluate the Publ...
letsmovelibraries.org
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/
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Sep 2
September 2025 newsletter | Let's Move in Libraries
SEPTEMBER 2025 NEWSLETTER
The September 2025 newsletter of Let’s Move in Libraries includes:
A Let's Move in Libraries story from Georgia
A new Libraries for Health toolkit
The release of ...
letsmovelibraries.org
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...
letsmovelibraries.org/september-20...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 29
Hoboken Public Library Launches Audiobook Walk for Library Card Sign-Up Month
HOBOKEN, NJ — Hoboken Public Library invites the community to step into their stories with a special Audiobook Walk on Saturday, September 6 at 10:00 a.m. Participants will gather at the Main...
www.tapinto.net
"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...
www.tapinto.net/towns/hoboke...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 28
Cooking up Kitchen Literacy with the Fontana Regional Library!
The Library's Doing What Now?
slnc.substack.com
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...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 27
Houston Public Library bike rodeo a hit with locals
The Houston Public Library was busy as a beehive - with bicycles- on Wednesday, Aug. 20, when 50 or more young cyclists brought their bikes to the library parking lot for mechanical and safety checkup...
www.hometownsource.com
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...
www.hometownsource.com/caledonia/ho...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 27
How Libraries Are Creating Community Through Food
Libraries nationwide are offering community classes on nutrition, food security, and how to get a good meal on the table.
civileats.com
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
civileats.com/2025/08/27/h... @civileats.com
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 26
Library looking to expand kids fridge, help fight food insecurity
With food insecurity plaguing many Lawrence County children, the New Castle Public Library is finding solutions.
www.ncnewsonline.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...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 22
www.wfxrtv.com
"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
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 21
Sew you need a fix? Free repair resource mends items, stitches community together
At Pack Memorial Library, people dropped off things like clothing, backpacks and even stuffed animals that needed mending or small repairs.
wlos.com
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...
Noah Lenstra
@noahlenstra.bsky.social
· Aug 4
Kentucky libraries step up to keep kids out of foster care system • Kentucky Lantern
Four Kentucky libraries launch programs to keep families together and well resourced so children aren't unnecessarily removed from home.
kentuckylantern.com
"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...
kentuckylantern.com/2025/08/04/k...