Spring is a wonderful time of year. The library buzzes with students coming back in from school breaks, families invite their relatives to our classic children’s storytimes and adults are busy filing their taxes. This spring at the Wando Mount Pleasant Library, we have added a new event to look forward to — our Spring Diaper Drive!
The Spring Diaper Drive takes place between April 20 and April 27 at the Wando Library. We have partnered with the Junior League of Charleston (JLC), a non-profit organization that has distributed more than 810,500 diapers to 13 community partner organizations across the Lowcountry and has served, overall, over 16,615 families experiencing diaper need. Diaper need is the lack of a sufficient supply of diapers to keep a toddler clean, dry, and healthy. The Diaper Alliance states that it costs on average $75 a month for one child’s supply of diapers, forcing many families to make tough choices. Diapers are not covered by government programs such as Medicare or WIC, and most daycare providers require parents to bring their own diapers, which can result in parents missing work or older children staying home from school so their parents can go to work. We are excited to assist in helping fulfill this community need.
Health literacy is a topic we have put our focus on in recent years. CCPL is one of five organizations statewide receiving funding to support library systems as information hubs to improve community health. One resource the library offers is access to the wellness in the South-East (WISE) Health Network. The purpose of the WISE Health Network is to improve the community’s well-being by providing preventive care through health education, telehealth, referrals and community resources at local libraries, particularly serving those in the more rural areas of Charleston County. They provide community resources related to diabetes, heart disease, birth control, Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, cancer screenings, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), pregnancy, mental health, substance use, and nutrition/exercise. Individuals seeking a telehealth appointment or information about the WISE Health Network can contact wisehealth@ccpl.org.
Another health resource that our libraries offer includes our Blood Pressure Monitor Kit. Patrons can check this out for 28 days to monitor their blood pressure if they have conditions such as heart disease. We also love giving people information about food literacy. Not only do we provide cookbooks for all ages detailing nutritious choices for your body, but we also have our fabulous Charlie Cart that allows us to provide cooking demonstrations that will teach you about different types of foods and meals to prepare. Keep your eyes peeled on our calendar for fun Charlie Cart programs and ask us first if you need help locating free health resources with your library card!
Bobbi Edgerton is the Lead Circulation Manager at the Wando Mount Pleasant Branch Library, 1400 Carolina Park Blvd., 843-805-6888.
