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. With validated blood pressure monitors and cuffs and educational materials in both English and Spanish, our partnership is empowering people to monitor their own blood pressure, increasing access to blood pressure monitors and educating communities about heart-healthy habits.
Throughout February, trained library staff present the American Heart Association and HCA Florida Healthcare’s blood pressure monitor programs. Community members can attend any one of the 11 programs at their nearest branch and learn simple, efficient ways to monitor blood pressure at home and get hands-on experience with the monitors and cuffs.
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.
OCLS’s outreach specialists will take the importance of heart health and blood pressure monitoring kits to senior centers, community events and more in February, teaching a wide audience 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 staff and the installation of Automated External Defibrillators (AED) devices at every OCLS location. Staff at OCLS are grateful for this partnership that has been instrumental in providing tools that can save lives in the community and is empowering community members to know their numbers and take charge of their own health.
