Summer programming is often the most intense time of year, and so many hands go into its success. As Tails and Tales
wraps up, please take a moment to give yourself a well deserved kudos! It would not have happened without you!
In the spirit of sharing well deserved praise, now is a great time to thank all the people who helped along the way. Maybe it was a coworker who covered the desk while you put the finishing touches on a book display, or a business that generously donated this
year's grand prize. Friends Groups, Board Members, Volunteers, the list goes on and on. And let's not forget the participants!
The following templates have been created to help spread the gratitude. Please feel free to modify them as the situation requires!
PS: It is totally understandable to simply be thankful summer is over!
What "Tales" does your library have to tell for 2021? Please send your photos, ideas, and any informative details
to Luke Kralik at: luke.kralik@cslpreads.org I would love to share them in our newsletter.
Public libraries feed hungry bodies as well as hungry minds during the summer – and throughout the year. The CSLP’s
Child and Community Well-Being committee encourages library involvement in activities that support wellness, from summer and afterschool meals, to well-being programming, to support for basic needs, all to help children, teens, and communities stay nourished,
active, and healthy when school is out. Resources include the Libraries and Summer Food page on the CSLP website; a
Facebook group for news, support, and resource-sharing; and an ongoing series of stories showcasing the experiences of libraries around the country.
Goat Yoga with the Grafton-Midview Public Library
By Kari Mariner, Youth Services Librarian, Grafton-Midview Public Library, OH
There was a moment during goat yoga when the instructor, Alyssa Welch, asked everyone to pause in gratitude for the gorgeous weather and the baby goats. Considering that the sun was just starting to set, a goat had nestled his way into a teen’s arms, and goat
yoga was the first in-person program to be offered by the Grafton-Midview Public Library since the start of the COVID-19 Pandemic, it was a perfect moment.
What exactly is goat yoga? The idea is pretty simple: A yoga instructor leads a class of humans while adorable baby goats nibble on clothing and hair, nuzzle faces, and climb on participants during downward dog and other opportune poses. The idea originated
with entrepreneur Lainey Morse in 2016 after she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease. You don’t have to be a seasoned yogi to participate. It’s not just for adults. There will probably be goat poop at some point, but participants will be more entertained
by it than you could imagine. Goat yoga is about the experience: combining animals, nature, and yoga to lift the spirits.
The Grafton-Midview Public Library’s goat yoga program took place on Friday, June 4, 2021 at the Old Grafton School in Grafton, Ohio. The property, an elementary school dating back to the 1930s, is currently transforming into a space for artist studios and
community theater. Goat yogis had the chance to donate to the school’s new community garden during the program. Welch from Grounded Yoga and Wellness in Grafton led a group of twenty adults and teens through an hour of simple yoga poses. She particularly focused
on breathing and balancing the solar plexus chakra.
Gaga for Goats, located in Cuyahoga Falls, brought 9 baby Nigerian Dwarf goats ranging in ages from 7 to 9 weeks to roam amongst the participants; goat yoga was the first outing for most of the babies. The program filled within days of registration opening,
including the wait list, and the comments during the program were overwhelmingly positive.
If you’re interested in offering a new twist on yoga, you aren’t just limited to goats. Cat yoga and pig yoga are two popular alternatives. Consider changing the location of your yoga class from the library to a nearby park or other outdoor community space.
Be creative and have fun imagining all the ways you can raise mental and physical health in your community.
What is on the horizon for CSLP?
2021: Theme/Animals; Slogan/”Tails and Tales” Artist/Salina Yoon
2022: Theme/Oceanography; Slogan/"Oceans of Possibilities" Artist/Sophie Blackall
2023: Theme/Kindness and Friendship; Slogan/"All Together Now"; Artist/Frank Morrison
