By Joe Jarosz
Northeast News
September 2, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri — With the advent of technology into today’s culture, libraries are utilizing more unique programing to get people into the doors.

The North-East and Lucile H. Bluford branches want to help people move around once they’re inside the library.

The two libraries are teaming up to bring patrons a couple of options in regards to their health and wellness. Both libraries host Full Body Chair Fitness, a class designed to give participants a total body workout without leaving their chair. Cardio, strength and flexibility exercises are all performed from a seated position.

And soon, both branches will offer a six-week program titled, Walk with Ease Club. This 6-week course will teach participants how to walk and stretch safely, increase flexibility and help with balance. Incentives will be given to participants weekly.

April Roy, branch manager at the Lucile H. Bluford Library, said both programs are supported by the Baptist Trinity Lutheran Foundation. Recently, Roy met with foundation officials about funding for the programs at the two library locations. The main focus of the programs is fighting arthritis, partnering with the Regional Arthritis Center for the programs.

“We’ve been doing health and wellness programs for a while now at Bluford,” Roy said. “I was referred to the foundation by a community partner and after meeting with them, the foundation encouraged us to apply for grant money.”

Claudia Visnich, Branch Manager at the North-East Library, added that although the programs are focused at people with arthritis, anyone can participate.

“The exercises for the chair fitness program aren’t easy,” Visnich said with a laugh. “It was harder than I anticipated but still a really good workout.”

Roy noted her branch has a full lineup of health and wellness programs, including chronic disease management, weight loss accountability groups and other activities throughout the week.

“Health and wellness programs are still pretty new to libraries and not many across the country are doing them,” Roy said. “It’s exciting to break new ground and expand our programing.”

The classic roles of libraries as a book rental facility are a thing of the past, as Roy noted even she’s turned to E-books more within the past few years. Because of the changes, Bluford and North-East are working with their respective communities to adapt and implement programs that are wanted and needed.

“Seventy percent of people in our community suffer from some sort of chronic disease,” Roy said. “The community has responded so well to these programs that we’ve been able to grow with them. We’re trying to better meet the needs of the community we serve in creative ways. It’s not just about books anymore. We’re moving more towards being social service centers, which is great.”

After the six-week program is complete, both Visnich and Roy said they would like to open their meeting rooms for patrons to meet and continue practicing the exercises they learned. Roy added she’d like to see what these two libraries are doing expanded further throughout Kansas City’s libraries.

“I think our lineup is great and if we can create a great model, we’d love to share it,” Roy said.

Other programs

Along with recognizing the need for more health and wellness programs at the library, Visnich also pointed out that starting September, the North-East branch will host a weekly homework helper program for students of all ages. The library is also preparing for bi-monthly community discussions hosted by the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce and Independence Avenue Community Improvement District.

“They’ll be available to answer and questions people from within the community have about their projects and what they’re working on,” Visnich said.