Shrewsbury library observes American Heart Month
By Lori Berkey Contributing Writer

Nancy Colby, head of circulation at the Shrewsbury Library, shows off CPR at-home learning kits that are being raffled at the library during February in honor of American Heart Month. PHOTO/LORI BERKEY

Shrewsbury - In honor of February being American Heart Month, the Shrewsbury Public Library is conducting a free raffle that will give patrons a chance to win an at-home cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) learning kit. Library materials related to heart health are on display throughout the month, and free booklets and brochures on the topic are available while supplies last.

Library Director Ellen Dolan believes the library's month-long observance ties in with what libraries are all about.

"Libraries have long been committed to providing information and resources to help people in their everyday lives," she said. "Providing information on heart health is not only a great way to mark American Heart Month, it's also a good example of one of the ways a public library can embrace its original mission in a variety of ways."

Two different CPR kits are being raffled. The kits were developed as a collaboration between the American Heart Association (AHA) and Laerdal Medical in an effort to bring CPR training into homes and enable people to learn how to perform life-saving CPR if a family member or friend experiences cardiac arrest.

One kit being raffled is the Family and Friends CPR Anytime Personal Learning Program, which contains everything needed to learn basic CPR from the convenience of home or in a group setting. While the kit does not provide certification in CPR, it does provide the tools for learning it. The kit contains a CPR mannequin, a practice DVD, a booklet and program accessories.

The second kit is the Infant CPR Anytime Personal Learning Program. That kit enables families, friends, grandparents, siblings and others caring for infants to acquire the main skills of infant CPR and how to respond to choking.

Southborough attorney Elizabeth Greene, who serves on the Board of Directors of the AHA's Founders Affiliate, is pleased the library is supporting American Heart Month.

"CPR saves lives. The more people who learn how to perform CPR, the better," Greene said. "The Shrewsbury Library's efforts to increase knowledge and awareness of the importance of CPR training and of heart health are excellent. These CPR kits are very user-friendly and are a great learning tool."

Greene is also involved with the AHA's educational Go Red Campaign and is captain of the law firm Mirick O'Connell's Heart Walk Team, which raises funds for the association. She hopes February will bring increased awareness.

"I hope that through Heart Month," she said, "people will remember that heart disease and stroke are the number one and number three causes of death and disability and will take steps to protect themselves and their loved ones … You can take the heart check-up online today at www.goredforwomen. com and start walking today with www. mystartonline.org."

In addition to having information about heart disease available during February, the Shrewsbury Library is a year-round resource. If information is not on the shelves there, materials can be requested through interlibrary loan. Reference guidance available at the library can help people connect with a variety of sources such as online medical information accessible through the website www.medlineplus.gov.

To enter the raffle, visit the Shrewsbury Library at 609 Main St. during February and ask for a ticket at the circulation desk. For additional information about heart disease or other ways to obtain the kits, visit www.heart.org.