Strengthening our Community through Wellness
Glendale Library, Arts & Culture
Innovation Synopsis
Glendale Library, Arts & Culture responded to a growing need for adult and senior wellness programs by offering inclusive and culturally reflective activities that promote mental and physical health. With rising mental health challenges in our spaces, our goal was to reduce stigma and ensure our diverse community felt represented and welcome. Partnering with local organizations like the LA County Department of Mental Health, California African American Museum, LA County Department of Public Health, and local wellness practitioners, we offered yoga, reiki, nutritional psychology, and a safe space for solo aging patrons by partnering with USC Verdugo Hills Hospital with ongoing workshops. These programs helped combat isolation, engaged new patrons, and connected participants to vital resources and most importantly provided a sense of community.
Challenge/Opportunity
GLAC faced a growing issue: more adults and seniors in our spaces were showing signs of isolation and mental health struggles. Our solution was to create a diverse, unique wellness program that met people where they were, culturally, emotionally, and physically. To determine areas with the highest impact we utilized PolicyMap to map out our community and tailor topics and programs to branches based on survey data. We also focused efforts on branches that according to data pulled from PolicyMap indicated medically underserved areas or experiencing higher rates of poor physical and mental health. We partnered with trusted local organizations and wellness practitioners to offer classes like the Solo Aging program. These targeted efforts reduced stigma, supported seniors aging alone. Our innovative programs transform our libraries into spaces of connection and healing.
Key Elements of Innovation
GLAC launched a wellness initiative to meet rising mental health needs among adults and seniors. Partnering with the local hospitals and LGBTQ+ and BIPOC practitioners, we offered inclusive programs like yoga, reiki, nutrition, body-positive life drawing, emotion-led dance, and Solo Aging classes. Topics included hiring in-home help, planning for care needs, transportation, sleep, and medical cannabis. Our goal: reduce stigma, support solo agers, and promote equitable health access. By designing culturally relevant, “outside the box” programming, we redefined what adult services in libraries can look like, transforming them into accessible wellness hubs rooted in community needs.
Achieved Outcomes
GLAC’s wellness initiative experienced over 200% growth in attendance this year, fueled by word-of-mouth and a 75% open rate on wellness emails. Success is measured through attendance data, growing partnerships, and participant-driven programming. The Solo Aging group grew from just 2 participants to a dedicated core of 13, with sessions reaching up to 25 depending on the topic. A recent program with LA Metro and Beeline introduced the “Metro Buddy” system, leading attendees to organize their own outing. When the library temporarily closed, participants independently relocated their session to a nearby community center rather than cancel, showing strong program loyalty. One participant even offered another a ride to surgery, an example of the deep connections formed. Programs are co-created, with participants suggesting and shaping topics. This initiative has reduced isolation, increased engagement, and positioned the library as a vital hub for wellness and social connection.
