Libraries around across the U.S. are helping people get healthier. They offer fitness classes, food pantries, cooking classes, conversations about loneliness and mental health, and even blood pressure monitors that can be checked out just like books.

Summary

Libraries across the U.S. are expanding their roles to offer public health programs, from mobile clinics and mental health resources to cooking classes and blood pressure monitors.

Programs like Milwaukee’s mobile health clinic and Kansas City’s Libraries with Heart improve access to care, often encouraging patrons to seek further medical attention.

In rural areas like Texas, libraries connect communities to vital resources, combatting isolation and addressing needs like mental health and end-of-life planning.

These initiatives highlight libraries’ growing role as inclusive public health hubs, addressing gaps in traditional healthcare systems.