Lamond Riggs Library Health Fair

From Steve Lienthal:

Many people talk about preventive health care; too few practice it. The more Washingtonians are encouraged to take the common sense steps which can protect their health, the more common sense preventive measures will take hold.

Keeping this in mind, the librarians of the Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Library. were the main staged a health fair on Saturday, July 25 aimed at older members of the northeast Washington neighborhood. Participating organizations included the D.C. Emergency Medical Services, which administered blood glucose and blood pressure screenings, and the George Washington Cancer Institute. Estimates of attendance range from 20 to 40 people.

JoiAisha Bland, representing the George Washington Cancer Institute, commented:

"It was our first event at a library, and we were able to make face-to-face contact with many people and do hands-on education. The intimate space was a perfect venue to discuss colon cancer, a topic many perceive as personal and oftentimes, embarrassing. Almost everyone who visited our table took home a colon cancer screening kit, and we believe that reason was because they were able to learn about it in a comfortable setting--friendly staff, healthy snacks, and inviting atmosphere."

The "safety" element was also addressed through the presence of organizations including AARP Driver Safety and the Metropolitan Police Department.

Public libraries are more than repositories of books. They are vital centers for the community. The Lamond-Riggs Neighborhood Health & Safety Fair is indicative of the positive role that libraries can play in promoting the health and safety of the community.