MCPL Lends Wellness Kits, Partners with Health Departments for ‘Access Wellness’

     Mid-Continent Public Library has launched Access Wellness, a new initiative focused on supporting the health and wellness of area residents through education and resources. Funded by an American Rescue Plan grant administered by the Missouri State Library, the program will offer free health-focused classes led by local experts, including the Clay, Jackson, and Platte County Health Departments, as well as Library resources focused on various health topics.
     As part of Access Wellness, the Library has also begun lending Access Wellness Kits, which are equipped with four health monitoring devices, including a blood pressure cuff, pulse oximeter, forehead thermometer, and scale. The kits are available for two-week checkouts with a Library card and can be reserved through the Library’s online catalog. Each kit also contains a list of free or low-cost healthcare resources in the metro. The wellness kits are ideal for customers who wish to take a more active role in managing their health by empowering them with knowledge and information about their own body.
     “The Library’s Access Wellness Kits are a great tool if you have an upcoming doctor’s appointment that you’re preparing for, a chronic illness that you’re managing, or if you simply want to take a moment to learn more about your health,” Bryan Gash, MCPL’s Chief Technology Officer said. “Our goal is to expand the community’s access to important information that can help them make informed decisions about their health.”
     The Library’s upcoming roster of Access Wellness classes includes topics such as taking care of your mental health, getting good nutrition, and managing or preventing chronic illness. One such program is “Get Up and Go to the Kitchen” on February 4 with health coach Nancy Oglesby who will share how the Pomodoro Technique can be used to combat distraction and promote healthy eating throughout the day.
     More Access Wellness programs can be found on the Library’s website at mymcpl.org/Wellness, as well as suggestions of health-related resources from the Library and other community organizations.