Tagged Health

Beyond Books: How a West Philly Library Is Addressing Food Insecurity

In the heart of West Philadelphia, a powerful partnership has formed between Lucien E. Blackwell Regional Library and The People’s Fridge , working together to combat a critical issue: food insecurity. This partnership reflects an…

Department Highlights: Science and Wellness

Since  Parkway Central Library  opened in 1927, patrons have had free and open access to its rich and unique collections, expanding services, and professionally trained and welcoming staff. The robust programs and collections…

Exercising With Baby: Babies Need Exercise, Too!

Hey there, new parents and caregivers! It's time to get those little bundles of joy moving and grooving — babies need exercise too! Picture this: your adorable baby, exploring the world with those tiny hands and…

Penn Med's Health Talk Tuesdays

The Science and Wellness Department invites you to explore and learn about health topics in a new program series. Introducing Penn Med's Health Talk Tuesdays !  Skip the waiting room and hear about the latest health advice and…

Observing Mental Health Awareness Month With the Free Library

May 1 begins Mental Health Awareness Month; this is a time to think more about our mental health journeys. Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to increase awareness about the importance of mental health in the…

What's Your New Year's Resolution for 2023?

We're about to embark on a new year, and even if you're not a New Year's Resolution person, you might view this time of year - and the turning of the calendar - as a chance to evaluate goals for the next 12…

Empathy Versus Misinformation: Transgender Youth Panel Series

Lately, transgender and gender non-conforming youth have been a hot topic across the nation. Many people feel confused, even panicked, and it can be hard to tell what claims being made are even true. We've assembled a panel of…

April is Stress Awareness Month

It’s never too late to take personal inventory and check in with yourself. How is your mental health? When was the last time you drank some water or ate a fully balanced meal? Can you remember the last time you inhaled and exhaled…

The Free Library and You: New Year’s Resolutions in 2022!

Can you believe we’re about to turn the page on another (long, strange, COVID-19 filled...) year? I know I can't!  While I've never really been a big New Year's Resolution person, I do appreciate how the…

COVID-19 Vaccine Approved for Children and Available in Philadelphia

The FDA has approved a COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11—just in time for the holidays! The holiday season is usually a time for family and friends to gather and share food and fun. For the past year and a half, however,…

It’s National Immunization Awareness Month!

by Lillian B. and Jake T. Afraid of shots or needles? Have questions about protecting your health? Get excited to learn with us this National Immunization Awareness Month ! Primarily, immunizations are most effective when given to…

Baking with Becca: Cooking Outside the Box... Chicken and Potatoes

This week at Whitman Library  we are making a simple meal of Chicken and Potatoes that can be tweaked and flavored to your preferences! Baking with Becca at Whitman Library I prepared and cooked chicken two ways because we are…

Edible Alphabet Recipe of the Week: Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

by Breshay Woods, Culinary Literacy Center Intern Edible Alphabet  is a free English Language Learning (ELL) program offered by the Free Library's  Culinary Literacy Center . Our mission is to teach English language…

Baking with Becca: Cooking Outside the Box

Baking with Becca began at Whitman Library , nestled between 2nd and 3rd Streets on Snyder Avenue in South Philly. When COVID hit, we had to take a long break. I continued to grow and learn to strengthen this class and to steel myself…

I Belong: Facing COVID-19 with Wellness and Resilience

The Languages and Learning Center (LLC) supports the individual literacy and learning goals of Philadelphia adults, including resources for Adult Basic Education, language learning, and digital literacy.  This guest blog post is…

Stocking Up Food for the Winter

Written by Alex Evenson, Philabundance Nutrition Educator, with additions from Caity Rietzen, Culinary Literacy Center Supervisor Frozen peas, canned beans, and potato chips. What do these three food items have in common? Since the…

Cooking with Pomegranates: Seeds the Day!

Pomegranates! They are unique red fruits filled with many juicy seeds, with a sweet and tart taste. While these fruits grow in warmer climates, they can be available in some local Philly stores in the fall and early winter months. …

Brighten Up Your Thanksgiving Table

Written by Alex Evenson, Philabundance Nutrition Educator, with additions from Caity Rietzen, Culinary Literacy Center Supervisor   Cooking is a wonderful way to bring people together, and while this year's holiday will be…

Using the City's Online Maps to Find Free Food Distribution and COVID-19 Testing Sites

As COVID-19 cases surge in our city, Philadelphia health officials have announced a new Safer at Home plan, which aims to limit the spread of this virus through this difficult period. Vaccines for COVID-19 are currently under…

Philadelphia Announces New "Safer at Home" Restrictions and Closures to Fight Rising COVID-19 Cases

In response to rising COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia, the City and Department of Public Health have announced changes to restrictions on businesses, events, and gatherings, and other activities to help flatten the epidemic curve,…

Stop the Bleed Training

Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life.  Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…

Mindfulness Meditation | Practice Session

Join instructor Maceo Hood in a beginner friendly meditation class. In this one-hour course, we will practice and discuss the benefits of mindful meditation. At least thirty minutes will be devoted to a guided meditation. Maceo received…

Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Information Table

Please stop by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) information table to pick up free COVID-19 test kits, masks, and updated information on keeping healthy. PDPH outreach staff will be on hand to answer questions and…

Stop the Bleed Training

Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life.  Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…

Mindfulness Meditation | Practice Session

Join instructor Maceo Hood in a beginner friendly meditation class. In this one-hour course, we will practice and discuss the benefits of mindful meditation. At least thirty minutes will be devoted to a guided meditation. Maceo received…

Stop the Bleed Training

Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life.  Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…

Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Information Table

Please stop by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) information table to pick up free COVID-19 test kits, masks, and updated information on keeping healthy. PDPH outreach staff will be on hand to answer questions and…

Kid's Cooking Club

Experience the art and science of cooking while you make a delicious snack with your very own hands! 2/3 No Bake Sweet Potato Pie 3/3 Grilled Cheese 4/7 Paper Bag Popcorn  

Walking Wednesdays

Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…

Tween Talk

Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge.  This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…

Mindfulness Meditation | Practice Session

Join instructor Maceo Hood in a beginner friendly meditation class. In this one-hour course, we will practice and discuss the benefits of mindful meditation. At least thirty minutes will be devoted to a guided meditation. Maceo received…

Walking Wednesdays

Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…

Tween Talk

Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge.  This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…

Walking Wednesdays

Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…

Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) Information Table

Please stop by the Philadelphia Department of Public Health (PDPH) information table to pick up free COVID-19 test kits, masks, and updated information on keeping healthy this fall and winter. PDPH outreach staff will be on hand to…

Tween Talk

Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge.  This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…

Stop the Bleed Training

Death due to traumatic bleeding can occur in less than 5 minutes. In under 1 hour, you can learn to save a life.  Individuals will receive formal Stop the Bleed training, which includes a presentation followed by hands-on practice…

Walking Wednesdays

Put on your walking shoes as you join us every Wednesday for Walking Group. We meet at Whitman Library, walk up to Washington Ave and walk back to Whitman Library. No need to be a speed walker, this group is a walk at your own pace,…

Kid's Cooking Club

Experience the art and science of cooking while you make a delicious snack with your very own hands! 2/3 No Bake Sweet Potato Pie 3/3 Grilled Cheese 4/7 Paper Bag Popcorn  

Tween Talk

Designed to provide a safe, inclusive, and informative space for tweens to learn about important topics that will help them navigate the pre-teen years with confidence and knowledge.  This program, led by Planned Parenthood, will…

Exercise DVDs

Try a new workout or an old favorite with these DVDs.

Health for Kids

Check out some health-related books for kids and teens at the Free Library.

Health

Here are some of the health books on the shelves of the Free Library.

Diabetes

Learn more about diabetes and how to manage it.

Health

What are your health questions? The Free Library can connect you with resources to help you live a healthier lifestyle, including research tools, cooking classes, resources to help you quit smoking or increase your exercise, and…