Out of Indiana’s 92 counties, La Porte County ranks 69 for Health Outcomes, 89 for Social & Economic Factors and 92 for Health Behaviors. To improve adult health, we planned to provide free health resources and wellness classes in 2020. The challenge, after developing protocols and systems, was to implement programming that would maintain the health and safety of participants as well as staff. The pandemic created challenges, but also new opportunities to innovate and broaden community reach.

Once we had safety protocols in place, we were able to research and adapt our plans. We offered a series of in-person and online Healthy You classes and events. In-person events were held outdoors which makes social distancing possible. Online events were either recorded and or live virtually. The classes offered were walking, healthy cooking, yoga, paddling and self-care relaxation/meditation. We partnered with the city parks, Purdue Extension, Walk With a Doc, health instructors and physicians.

• LPCPL joined both the Medical Library Association (MLA) and Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM). Four librarians received MLA Consumer Health Information Specializations.
• LPCPL conducted programming that can be scaled up and sustained. From 6/1-10/1, we held 22 events with 172 participants, and we have three more events scheduled.