Durham, N.C. – Durham County is the recipient of two National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards. Sensory Storytimes for Adults with Special Needs, a program developed by Durham County Library, won in the Libraries category, and the ChallengeWave fitness program, sponsored by the Durham County Department of Health and Durham County Library, won in the Health category.

Sensory Storytime, a program led by librarian Sarah Alverson at the Stanford L. Warren Branch Library, is an interactive, age appropriate storytime for adults with special needs. Sensory Storytime for adults incorporates music, storytelling, interactive reading, dancing and more. In public libraries, storytimes are offered to people of all ages. They are designed to meet a number of needs, including but not limited to, entertainment, development of comprehension and literacy skills, introduction to multiculturalism, early advocacy for reading and improvement of social skills. The program began in May 2012 after librarians realized a lack of opportunities for special needs communities.

Durham County Library and the Durham County Department of Public Health dared residents to take the ChallengeWave – a four-week, community-wide fitness program that pitted library patrons against each other as they competed to rack up the most ‘activity minutes’ in one month. Willa Robinson Allen, health promotion and wellness program coordinator, and Gina Rozier, marketing and development manager for the library, coordinated the joint project. By tying teams to library locations, the Health Department was able to reach people throughout the county, and by linking the fitness competition to the annual Summer Reading Club, the library raised the profile of the ChallengeWave and increased adult participation in Summer Reading.

With the tagline, “Train your brain with Summer Reading. Train your body with ChallengeWave,” the joint initiative was a success. A total of 146 residents participated in the fitness competition, which exceeded the goal of 125, and the number of adults who completed the Summer Reading program more than doubled over 2012 figures – from 172 to 367.

Started in 1970, NACo’s annual Achievement Award Program is a non-competitive awards program that recognizes innovative county government programs. Each application is judged on its own merits and not against other applications received. Awards are given in 21 different categories including children and youth, criminal justice, county administration, environmental protection, information technology, health and many more.

Durham County Library encourages Discovery, connects the Community and leads in Literacy. As a department of Durham County Government, the library furthers Goal 1 of the county’s Strategic Plan by enhancing cultural, educational and creative opportunities. For more information about the library, visit durhamcountylibrary.org.

Since 1913, the Durham County Department of Public Health (DCoDPH) works throughout the Durham community to prevent disease, promote health, and protect the environment. Guided by Durham County Government’s Strategic Plan, the department works to strengthen the well-being of individuals and families through prevention, education, and partnering with community resources. For more information about DCoDPH, visit http://dconc.gov/publichealth, connect with DCoDPH on Facebook, or follow DCoDPH on Twitter.


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