Across the United States, libraries are expanding their roles far beyond being quiet places to read. In Milwaukee, the Aurora Health Care Mobile Medical Clinic team set up shop in the main hallway of the Milwaukee Public Library, offering health checks and answering questions from library visitors. One patron, struggling with joint pain, had stopped taking his blood pressure medication due to concerns about its effects on calcium. Nurse practitioner Carolyn McCarthy took the time to explain how the medication worked and assured him it wouldn’t affect his bones, leaving him better informed.
This mobile clinic is part of a growing trend in libraries across the country, offering free health and wellness services to the public. These programs, which include fitness classes, mental health support, cooking lessons, and even food pantries, aim to serve communities with no need for insurance or identification. Libraries are embracing their unique position as accessible, reliable resources for health information and support.
Jaime Placht, a health and well-being specialist at the Kansas City Public Library, puts it simply: “The library is a public health space.” The Kansas City system, in collaboration with the American Heart Association’s Libraries with Heart program, offers blood pressure stations that have been used over 13,000 times. The program also provides take-home blood pressure kits, giving patrons an opportunity to track their health and seek professional care when needed. Some patrons have even reported visiting their doctors for the first time in years after using the library’s resources.
In small towns like Jarrell, Texas, where public health offices are scarce, the library fills an important gap. The Jarrell Community Library connects residents to mental health resources and organizes conversations on topics such as end-of-life planning. Similarly, the public library in Smithville, Texas, offers peer support and resources to combat isolation in the community, with a significant investment from the St. David’s Foundation to fund the program.
Milwaukee’s libraries also host health-related educational programs. For instance, a weekly after-school class at the Mitchell Street branch teaches kids healthy cooking habits. Chef Sharrie Agee helps young participants create dishes from around the world, teaching them about nutritious ingredients and how to use them in everyday cooking. One young participant, Yareni Orduna-Herrera, proudly sliced tomatoes for a pizza during the class and was eager to try the recipe at home with her family.
These programs represent just a few examples of how libraries are stepping up to provide crucial health services and education, from mental health resources to physical well-being and beyond. Libraries are proving that they are much more than places for books—they are essential community hubs offering valuable health and wellness support to all.