The Orange County Library System focuses on being a resource for patrons to be healthy and keep New Year’s Resolutions all year long. With the rise in healthcare costs in America, the Orange County Library System offers programming each month on health education. The Orange County Library System partners with local medical providers and local organizations to assist patrons in taking charge of their health. Health, Safety and Wellness programs are offered at all 15 locations across the county.

The Orange County Library System created a system-wide effort with programming to help its local community be healthier and well informed. Partnerships were made with local organizations to offer monthly programs to increase the wellbeing of patrons. The Health, Safety and Wellness Programming Initiative have included: • A partnership with the Orange County Health Department to provide a six week tobacco cessation session titled, Quit Smoking Now. • CPR Training and Certification is offered quarterly throughout the system. It is taught by a representative from the Pediatric Sports Medicine Program from the Arnold Palmer Children’s Hospital. • A New Year New You health series was offered by the Oasis Wellness and Rejuvenation Center. Programs offered included: -How to Live Longer -Weight Loss -Hormonal Rejuvenation -Facial Rejuvenation -Integrative Holistic medicines • The Alzheimer’s Association provided information on the aspects of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. • Free amplified telephones are being distributed to qualifying residents who are hard of hearing by Florida Telecommunications Relay, Inc. The program loans special telephone equipment to Florida residents who are hard of Hearing, Deaf, Deaf/Blind, or Speech Impaired for as long as they need it at no charge. • Through a partnership with the Hispanic Health Initiative, Inc., free health screenings were offered for cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure, body mass index (BMI) and vision. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs offered Medicare information sessions. • Exercise programs were also offered in Zumba, Yoga and Tai Chi.

The Orange County Library System features a special section in the monthly newsletter to promote health programs. From January to March 2013 OCLS has offered seventy health and wellness programs throughout the county. Seven hundred and sixty patrons have attended these programs. We plan to continue to build partnerships to increase the well being of our community through our Health, Safety and Wellness Programming Initiative.