For Immediate Release
March 18, 2019
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Themed meditation sessions assist with everything from stress to sleep
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF. – The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) has engaged with popular health and fitness mobile and desktop app Headspace. Starting today, free subscriptions for 500 SCCLD patrons will be available to enjoy the more than 1,000 hours of engaging virtual meditation classes offered through Headspace’s premium service. This pilot project is made possible through funding from the Pacific Library Partnership’s Innovation and Technology Grant program.
“We all can use a little help with relaxation and stress relief from the pressures around work and everyday life,” said Chris Brown, Deputy County Librarian. “Headspace is a great addition to our digital offerings, one that will no doubt be a valuable service for our patrons.”
This marks the first time that Headspace, which has over 30 million users across 190 countries, has teamed up with a public library system. What started as an event-based company gradually developed into an online experience as more and more people wanted to take part in the sessions remotely and/or at a time of their convenience.
Users can enroll in any of the courses they wish, whenever they want, for whatever length of time they desire, and complete them at their own pace. There are classes on a range of topics, such as coping with cravings, pain management, and specific anxieties like flying, job interviews, and work presentations. The app also provides age-appropriate content for kids and teens.
Santa Clara County Supervisor and Library Joint Powers Authority Board Chairman, Mike Wasserman states that, “between stressful days at work, hectic commutes, and busy schedules, our fast-paced lifestyles can be draining. Headspace provides convenient tools to our library patrons, so they can easily find a little inner peace.”
The concept of mindfulness, the intention to be here and now, has increased in popularity in recent years. There have also been multiple studies in peer-reviewed journals showing that the practice of mindfulness produces favorable outcomes in terms of reducing stress, improving focus, increasing compassion and decreasing aggression.
Headspace can be downloaded for free from the Apple or Google Play stores. SCCLD’s subscription services can be accessed at www.sccl.org/headspace/. The company has also produced several helpful videos explaining how best to use the app.
About the Santa Clara County Library District
The Santa Clara County Library District (SCCLD) promotes knowledge, ideas, and cultural enrichment. Its collection includes more than 2 million books, videos, CDs, DVDs, Audiobooks, eBooks and extensive online resources accessible from home or work. In 2014, SCCLD celebrated one hundred years of service to local residents. For the last eleven years, SCCLD has been consistently recognized as one of America’s Star Libraries by Library Journal. In 2018, SCCLD was ranked among the top ten large libraries in the United States in the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service. In 2014 and 2015, SCCLD won Innovator Awards from the Urban Libraries Council.
SCCLD includes two bookmobiles, an online library, seven community libraries and one branch library serving Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Saratoga and the unincorporated areas of Santa Clara County. In 2018, SCCLD had nearly 370,000 library account holders and welcomed 3.3 million visitors who borrowed 9.85 million items.
Find the Santa Clara County Library District online: www.sccl.org
Like us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/santaclaracountylibrary
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Contact:
Nancy Howe/Diane Roche/Erik Sanjurjo
Santa Clara County Library District
(408) 293-2326 ext. 3001/3080/3014
