Category: Health literacy

Library donates pet oxygen masks to ambulance service

Meg Haskell, left, a volunteer with the Stockton Springs Community Library, and Charles “Chas” Hare, director of ambulance services for Stockton Springs and Prospect, demonstrate how to fit Ellie, a Labrador Retriever, with a special oxygen mask in cases of smoke inhalation or other toxic exposures. The library recently donated a set of three masks to the ambulance service in appreciation of the crew’s participation in health literacy programing.

Stockton Springs and Prospect –First responders in these small Waldo County towns have a new set of life-saving oxygen masks especially for pets and other small domestic animals. The masks, which can be used for creatures suffering from smoke inhalation and other toxic exposures, were donated to the Stockton Springs ambulance service on Thursday, May 16, by the Stockton Springs Community Library in recognition of the crew’s participation in three recent blood pressure and blood sugar screenings. 

The free screenings were part of the library’s “Access Wellness” health literacy programming, aimed at promoting public access to reliable, non-commercial health information and services. The programming, which also included slide presentations, healthy snacks, library displays and more, was made possible by community volunteers with funding from Healthy Acadia and the National Library of Medicine. 

“With the growing use of alternative fuels, the risk of structure fires is ever increasing,” said Charles “Chas” Hare, director of ambulance services for Stockton Springs and Prospect. “And just about everyone these days has a pet. So these masks are a very important addition to our equipment.”

The set of three differently sized oxygen masks will fit anything from a gerbil to a goat, Hare said, and comes complete with tubing and other accessories for use with standard oxygen tanks aboard the two ambulance trucks. One truck is already outfitted with a set of masks for animals, he said, so the second set ensures that both trucks are now prepared to treat pets, small livestock and other creatures in the event of a fire or other emergency. 

Free Health Literacy presentation at H.O.M.E. in Orland

 Do you have questions about your health and wellness? Is a loved one struggling with physical, mental health or substance abuse problems? Learn where to find accurate, reliable health information online, without being exposed to advertisements, misinformation or personal risk. Bring a friend or family member to this free, 1-hour talk. All community members are welcome. 

Access Wellness through Health Literacy
10 a.m. — 11 a.m., Thursday, April 11, 2019 
H.O.M.E. 90 Schoolhouse Rd, Orland, ME 04472
For more information, call H.O.M.E. at 469-7961


Presented by the Stockton Springs Community Library with funding through Healthy Acadia and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. 

    Free blood pressure and blood glucose clinics at Stockton Springs Community Library

    Stockton Springs Community Library will host three free blood pressure and blood sugar clinics this spring as part of its Access Wellness health literacy programming. The events will be held at the library from 11 a.m. to noon on Friday, March 15; Friday, April 5; and Friday, April 19. The clinics are open to the general public on a drop-in basis. Members of the town’s ambulance crew will perform the testing.

    In addition to checking blood pressure and blood sugar, community members can learn how to find reliable information about managing these key health measures and more, both online and in the library’s expanding health collection. Individuals may also schedule a one-on-one appointment with a member of the library staff to search for any health-related information. Handouts will be available, including a list of reliable websites where users can find evidence-based health information without encountering advertising or potential loss of privacy.

    The Stockton Springs Community Library is located at 6 Station St, Stockton Springs, ME 04981. The library’s Access Wellness program is funded by a 2019 health literacy grant from Healthy Acadia and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, a division of the National Institutes for Health. This programming is free and open to the general community. Visit our website at stocktonspringslibrary.org or call for more information: (207) 567-4147


    SSCL Health Literacy Program public information sessions

    SSCL’s new Health Literacy program has been funded by a grant from The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, New England Region in conjunction with Healthy Acadia of Ellsworth. The initiative seeks to improve health literacy by increasing access to and awareness of the National Library of Medicine free, easy-to-use health resources. 

    Stockton Springs Community Library will provide public information sessions along with in-library and on-line up-to-date resources which will facilitate individual access to easy-to-use, reliable health resources. SSCL will provide on-screen links to NLM web sites on the circulation and patron computers and on the SSCL website.

    Two public sessions are planned for January.  These sessions are open to the community, however prior registration is required. To register for either of the two sessions, contact the library by phone 207-567-4147, in person during library hours, or by email stocktonstaff@stocktonsprings.lib.me.us. Individual or small group sessions may be scheduled as requested.  Sessions will be facilitated by Meg Haskell.

    Sunday, January 27, 1-2 p.m. Pre-registration required.

    Tuesday, January 29, 1-2 p.m. Pre-registration required.