For Health and Wellbeing - My Community Library

Myli – My Community Library launched the first phase of a new Libraries for Health and Wellbeing initiative last month, inviting local leaders and library users to a very special library event.

Patrons were welcomed by a lovely volunteer from the Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) and learn all about keeping greyhounds as pets. The event provided an overview of The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) the most well-known of GRV’s initiatives aimed at finding loving homes for greyhounds who have retired from the racetrack. It also provided the opportunity to meet some gorgeous greyhounds.

This event hosted by Myli provided patrons with an introduction to pet ownership and the Greyhound Adoption Program. It also provided the opportunity to enhance community awareness of animals for adoption via the BBSC Municipal Animal Pound.

One of the key goals of this event was to promote the health benefits of pet ownership. According to HealthDirect.gov.au, ‘Pets make excellent companions, they're also good for your physical and mental health.’

It also provided the opportunity to reinforce responsible pet ownership and the importance of recognising that if you are struggling to look after yourself, that it is best to talk to your healthcare professional before you take on caring for a pet.

This event highlights the critical work the library is doing to promote mental wellbeing in our local area at a time when 1 in 4 Australians feels lonely. Under the statewide Libraries for Health and Wellbeing initiative, libraries will deliver programs, share information, and connect people to services and supports to make a difference across three impact areas: mental wellbeing, social connection, and physical health.

When more two million Victorians are members of their local library, library programs that foster stronger and healthier local communities have an essential role to play in supporting public health.

Every day, Myli offers an incredible range of programs that support health and wellbeing. These include hosting social groups like the Chatty Café that aim to kickstart conversations, get people chatting to increase safe and respectful social connections within a community and possibly reduce loneliness along the way.

Along with hosting groups with like-minded interests including knitting and craft and book clubs. There are also programs for children and families like Baby Rhyme Time, Story Time and STEAM clubs that feature a range of learning activities and provide opportunities for children and families to connect with others.

By just providing a free space for people to read, connect to free Wi-Fi or study, libraries are a place where we come together as a community.

The Libraries for Health and Wellbeing initiative is being rolled out in partnership with Public Libraries Victoria and State Library Victoria.

Discover all that libraries have to offer, visit myli.org.au or call 1800 HI MYLI (1800 44 6954)

for health and wellbeing