Be Well at NPL
Nashville Public Library, Tenn.
Innovation Synopsis
Be Well at NPL increases access to free wellness classes and resources to address health improvement priorities of Davidson County. NPL received a community engagement award through the National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine and NNLM-SEA to promote health literacy and spread awareness on the All of Us Research Program.
Challenge/Opportunity
NPL invested in Be Well at NPL to provide residents, especially those in low-access neighborhoods, with broader access to health and wellness programs and resources.
Specifically, we want to expand access to free physical activity, mental wellness, nutrition education and smoking cessation opportunities in trusted community settings.
Key Elements of Innovation
To address physical inactivity, we continued to partner with a yoga organization that offers weekly community and gentle yoga classes at our branches, as well as Zumba, Chicago Style Steppin’ and Tai Chi.
Also, we approached the topic of mental health from the angle of stress reduction and mindfulness in order to counter any stigma residents might feel when seeking self-care.
Finally, we contracted a registered dietician to develop cooking and health curriculums to be taught at the library.
Achieved Outcomes
- This funding year, NPL provided 2,214 free wellness programs to 32,747 participants and purchased 573 copies of 119 new health titles for the collection.
- 96% of survey respondents reported that accessibility affects their wellness program attendance, affirming that libraries are excellent spaces for meeting people where they are.
- By aligning with local health priorities, we are helping impact health outcomes with efforts targeted in neighborhoods experiencing higher rates of poor health.