Community Spotlight | By Leigh Andrus | Photos courtesy of the Orange County Public Library
When you think about your local library branch, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Maybe it’s engaging storytimes with toddlers, a book club for romance fans or an after-school language program. Orange County Library System (OCLS) offers all these great programs and many more, but did you know you can use your library card to check out a blood pressure monitoring kit?
February is Heart Month and OCLS is proud to partner with the American Heart Association and HCA Florida Healthcare in the Libraries with Heart program.
Throughout February, trained library staff present the American Heart Association and HCA Florida Healthcare’s blood pressure monitor programs. Windermere Branch will teach simple, efficient ways to monitor blood pressure at home and provide hands-on experience with the monitors and cuffs on Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. If you can’t make that event, visit ocls.org for a program at another branch near you.
OCLS card holders can check out blood pressure monitoring kits free of charge all year long at 10 library locations across Orange County: Chickasaw, Eatonville, Hiawassee, Orlando Public Library, South Creek, South Trail, Southwest, Washington Park, Windermere and Winter Garden.
During February, OCLS’s outreach specialists will take the importance of heart health and blood pressure monitoring kits to senior centers, community events and more. These events will educate a wide audience about the importance of heart healthy habits, how to properly monitor blood pressure and offering kits for checkout.
Orange County Library System’s partnership with the American Heart Association and HCA Florida Healthcare expanded in 2024 to include CPR and First Aid training for library staff and the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) devices at every OCLS location. This partnership has been instrumental in providing tools that can save lives in the community and is empowering community members to know their numbers and monitor their blood pressure.
Windermere Branch | Providing hands-on experience with the monitors and cuffs Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. | Visit ocls.org to find a program at a branch near you.
