Mental Health Program for the Whole Family
Houston Public Library

The idea for a mental health program at the library came to LaTrisha Milton after the May 24, 2022, shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, TX. The youth and family services manager for Houston Public Library wanted to do something to help parents and families manage difficult situations and feelings. On Saturday, July 20, 2024, Milton welcomed more than 50 people to “Big Feelings” at HPL’s Central Library in Houston.

“The day was dedicated to giving families some sort of support when it comes to tough times and being able to cope together—not just parents helping their kids get through things, but also parents knowing how to handle themselves and how to recognize when anxiety is high or frustrations are high, and what to do to kind of bring those things down,” says Milton.

The event was coordinated with partner organizations, including Mental Health America of Greater Houston, Texas Children's Hospital, a local arts and education organization, and a local yoga studio.

Read more from School Library Journal.

Empowering Safer Drivers
Anne Arundel County Public Library

Earlier this month, the Anne Arundel County Public Library unveiled a new driving simulator at its Annapolis branch. It’s run by a desktop computer and three flat-screen computer monitors, tilted to mimic the front and side windows of a car. The simulator is available for anyone 14 and up to use, whether it’s a teenager still trying to get comfortable behind the wheel, or a more experienced driver trying to brush up their skills.

“We’re really big on equity and inclusivity,” said Gabby Norton, a librarian at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library. “It gives a really good breadth of simulations to make people feel empowered and comfortable to get on the roads here. There’s so many working parents trying to figure out who is going to help their son or daughter, between who’s working this night and who’s working this night. Being able to give their teen something to be able to keep their skills up while they’re trying to figure out life … is a really good benefit.”

Read the full story from WTOP News.

Promoting Food Self-Sufficiency in Pasadena
Pasadena Public Library

The Pasadena Public Library is launching a free gardening course this fall to empower residents with sustainable food practices. The “Seed to Supper: A Beginner’s Guide to Low-Cost Vegetable Gardening” series begins on Sept. 7, teaching participants how to grow vegetables on a limited budget.

The program description states, “Growing your own food is a delicious, cost-effective way to improve your diet.” It aims to make gardening accessible to beginners who might find it challenging to start.

Participants will learn essential skills such as garden planning, soil preparation, planting, care, and harvesting. The focus on low-cost methods ensures the program’s accessibility to a wide range of community members.

Read more from Pasadena Now.

20th Annual Barrie Dragon Boat Festival Returns This Month
Barrie Public Library

On Aug. 17, the Barrie Public Library will be proudly hosting the 20th anniversary of the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival. This milestone event celebrates two decades of community spirit, competitive paddling and raising funds for local charities. It also marks the largest turnout since 2019 with 36 teams ready to make waves on Kempenfelt Bay. Since its inception, the Barrie Dragon Boat Festival has raised over $2 million for local charities.

"This will be a really special year as we welcome a large number of teams and paddlers, including many returning participants who have been with us from the start,” said Chris Vanderkruys, director of business and development at Barrie Public Library. “The Barrie Dragon Boat Festival has become a cherished tradition using our city’s beautiful waterfront, uniting our community, and supporting local charities, including the library’s ongoing Future Branches campaign.”

Throughout the month of August, families are invited to check out the library’s dragon-themed activities including the Tim Hortons Little Paddlers Colouring Contest for ages zero to nine and Timbit Reader Days taking place at various locations.

Read the full press release from Barrie Public Library.