The Orleans Parish library and NORD are teaming up to host a variety of free fitness classes at five branches.
FitNOLA is leading an hourlong hip-hop cardio class every Monday night at Rosa F. Keller Library & Community Center, 4300 S Broad St. Classes start at 5:30 p.m. Beginners are welcome.
Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive, will also host free hip-hop cardio classes every Thursday at 11 a.m.; the Norman Mayer Library, 3001 Gentilly Blvd., will have the same class at 11 a.m. on Saturdays.
An outdoor yoga class will be held at Alvar Library, 913 Alvar St., Tuesday mornings at 10:30. A limited number of mats are provided. Classes are weather dependent.
For a gentler flow, Robert Smith Library, 6301 Canal Blvd., will host chair yoga classes every Wednesday at 11 a.m.
This class is suitable for all skill levels. Chair yoga offers the same benefits as traditional yoga, like boosting strength, flexibility and mental well-being.
It’s a great option for older adults, people with health conditions that make balancing or being on the ground difficult, and those who work at a desk all day.
All FitNOLA Classes are sponsored by the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library. Details at nolalibrary.co/fit-nola.
Stop by East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Blvd., at noon on May 20 for integrative sound bath sessions that support healing and wellness.
The New Orleans Public Library is partnering with Glassroots to host monthly glass recycling drop-offs at two library locations. The next glass recycling drop-off will be at Algiers Regional Library, 3014 Holiday Drive, on May 18 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Alvar Library’s drop-offs are during the same time window on the third Tuesday of every month at 913 Alvar St.
Glassroots is the nonprofit arm of Glass Half Full, the only glass recycling facility in New Orleans. Glass recycled through Glass Half Full and Glassroots is turned into sand and cullet for coastal restoration, disaster relief, eco-construction, and more.
Glass should be cleaned before drop-off and will only be accepted during program hours.
E AID: Did you know that your New Orleans Public Library card gives you access to hundreds of e-books and e-audiobooks for free?
For help getting started downloading e-books and learning about the many other digital and electronic resources available, stop by Algiers Regional Library on Wednesday from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Friday from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Bring your laptop, smartphone, tablet or e-reader with you, along with a valid library card.
Or, visit e-resources.nolalibrary.org to explore these services on your own.
BRAIN HEALTH: It’s never too late to focus on your brain health, which is why the library is teaming up with AARP to present Six Pillars of Brain Health, an interactive workshop at Robert E. Smith Library, 6301 Canal Blvd.
Stop by at 2 p.m. on May 17 to learn about your brain, activities that support it, and resources to support your brain health journey.
Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the New Orleans Public Library.