PITTSTON — The Pittston Memorial Library is going beyond books to serve the needs of the community.

With nearly 30 organizations present, the Pittston Memorial Library will be hosting its first Health Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 7. The library is an affiliate member of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Mid-Atlantic Region.

The fair will be held in the new conference room at the library, which was finished as part of the library’s expansion in mid-August.

Pittston Memorial Library Fundraising Director Howard J. Grossman suggested the fair based on the fact the library is an affiliate member of the National Network.

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“We wanted to showcase the National Network and showcase our new conference room,” he said. “Hopefully this can create an atmosphere that will attract a lot of people.”

The National Network is a network of free or public libraries concerned with providing the public with health information.

The fair is open to anyone interested in learning more about health conditions and what various agencies can provide. Representatives from several of the agencies will give talks in an adjacent room during the fair. In addition to the opportunities that exist to learn more about one’s health, the library also features many books on various related subjects.

Water, soda and snacks will be available at the event.

“(The expansion) has only been open since mid-August,” Grossman said. “This would be the second large event held there. This the first helath fair in the history of the library. If it’s successful there will be more.”

Among the organizations showcasing their services and information at the fair are: Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield; Tobacco Free Northeast PA; Burn Prevention Network; Senior Care of Plains; Adult Day Care; Live Well Luzerne; Pa. Department of Health/Northeast District; Maternal and Family Health Services; Family Service Association of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, Rite Aid; CONCERN Professional Services for Children, Youth, and Families; Aetna Better Health; Aging Comfortably at Home; Bayada Pediatrics; Marshall, Parker, and Weber Elder Law; Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Griswold Home Care; Mercy Center Skilled Nursing and Personal Care; Proven Wellness Neighborhood Geisinger; Family Health Nursing Services; Child Care Information Services of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties; Comfort Keepers; Hazleton Area School District Preschool Early Intervention; Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne/Wyoming Counties Social Services; Area Agency on Aging for Luzerne and Wyoming Counties Senior Centers; and Make a Wish Foundation.

Also participating will be the library’s Grandparents Raising Grandchildren program. Information will be available for that program.

Rite Aid employees will take blood pressure screenings and provide flu shots, as well. The American Diabetes Association and the Northeastern Pennsylvania Cancer Institute will have information available.

Anyone seeking more information may contact Grossman at 570-262-3443 or the library at 570-654-9565. The library is located at 47 Broad St. in Pittston.

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By Nick Wagner

nwagner@timesleader.com

Reach Nick Wagner at 570-991-6406 or on Twitter @Dispatch_Nick