Whether your health and fitness goals are to move more, eat more nutrient-dense foods, or reduce stress, sugar, or alcohol, Worcester Public Library is here to help! We offer a variety of fitness and health related classes and workshops--on site and in-person--as well as online asynchronous fitness classes and online health resources available 24/7. Our Library of Things has outdoor games and health and fitness equipment for at-home use, and our circulating collections range from government publications on health topics to books, DVDS, and audiobooks on self-help topics, diseases and conditions, cookbooks to support a variety of diets, fitness resources, and sports and recreation titles.
In-Person Programs and Events
De-stress with Dogs with Tufts Paws for People! - Visit with a registered* therapy dog to bring a little rest and relaxation to your day. Therapy animals* are generally privately owned pets who are brought by their handlers to places to bring joy and smiles.
Nutrition Classes with Judy Palken, Registered Dietitian - This summer, Judy will be offering programs on diet and lifestyle changes you can make to control diabetes (and to prevent it); food choices to stabilize mood and increase feelings of well-being while avoiding energy crashes and emotional distress; and a session on our history with alcohol and how to enjoy it responsibly.
Zumba with Alina Khaspekov, certified Zumba instructor - Zumba is a high energy, calorie-burning fitness class that uses pop and Latin music to create a dance-party atmosphere. Low-intensity and high-intensity moves are easy to follow for all level participants who can set their own pace. It is an effective and fun cardio workout that melts fat, strengthens core, and improves flexibility.
Online Resources, available 24/7
Craft and Hobby's Fitness Classes
Not ready to Zumba with other people? Our Craft and Hobby database has a collection of short workout videos, from cardio to beginning ballet to yoga, all of which can be done in the privacy of your own space. Modules are short, instructors are professionals, and a variety of topics allows exploration of contemporary dance, chair yoga, and ballroom dance. Access Craft & Hobby from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or in the library -- just keep your headphones on if you're dancing in our stacks!
Health Databases
Many health researchers start off with Dr. Google, but may not realize the first results are AI generated content or ads. How do you wade through the muck to find accurate, authoritative, vetted health information? Starting your search in a health database provides encyclopedic articles, multimedia resources, peer-reviewed research studies, and evidence-based news results--without AI, and ad-free!
BioPharm International integrates of science and business of biopharmaceutical development, and manufacturing. This collection provides practical, peer-reviewed technical articles to enable biopharmaceutical professionals to perform their jobs more effectively and make both sound business and technical decisions.
Children's Guide: Harvard Health provides expert, evidence-based guidance on child development, and family wellness in lay-person language for parents and caregivers.
Diagnostic Tests and Surgical Procedures: Harvard Health offers detailed explanations of common Diagnostic Tests and Medical Procedures: blood work, X-rays to advanced imaging, and biopsies, with expert advice on screenings for preventative care.
Harvard Health Newsletters provides overviews on everything from hair loss to gut health to natural remedies (palmetto for prostate health?) to cardiac care at home.
Harvard Medical School Guides provides information on all kinds of health-related topics for the general public, on all kinds of health-related topics: plant-based eating, total hip replacements, emotional intelligence, weight-loss medications, migraines.
Gale Databases are accessible in full-text from anywhere in the Commonwealth, with general interest magazines and professional academic articles.
Gale OneFile: Nursing and Allied Health is a resource for nursing students and nursing professionals working in the field with full-text academic articles to support specialized care, treatment, and patient management. Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.
Gale OneFile: Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine is a resource with academic articles on sports medicine, physical therapy and fitness. Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.
Gale OneFile: Psychology is a resource for professionals and consumers, with academic research in all fields of psychology: abnormal, biological, cognitive, comparative, developmental, personality, quantitative, social, and all areas of applied psychology. Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.
Consumer Reports offers product reviews on health and wellness items like insect repellent, sunscreen, athletic shoes, and adhesive bandages, medical devices like hearing aids and rollators, and quality of life improvement items like bathroom scales and air filters. There is also a Health section on the database, as well as expert articles on topics like yoga, supplements, vaccinations, and more Access from home, work, or school with your WPL card, or within the library directly.
Library of Things
The Worcester Public Library has a variety of toys, games, equipment and kits to allow consumers to try before they buy, or borrow items to improve their quality of life, from bike locks to wifi hotspots, to musical instruments. If our metal detector gets you out and walking the beach, it's a win-win! Preview the complete collection at mywpl.libguides.com/WPLlibraryofthings, or select from the following categories:
- Wellness tools like a blood pressure cuff, a grip strength trainer, and a light therapy lamp;
- Outdoor recreation equipment like a hammock for relaxing, binoculars for birding, and telescopes for stargazing;
- Outdoor games like croquet, badminton, and bocce for light physical activity in your own backyard;
- Yard and gardening tools to create a space that feels healthy and happy.
Collections
158 - Our self-help collection offers materials on psychology, positive affirmations, increasing self-esteem, transcendental meditation, and more.
300 - underlying social, political, and policy aspects of medical issues and health care (poverty, racism).
610-618 - traditional and alternative therapies for a variety of topics, including body systems, specific diseases and disorders, nutrition, yoga, essential oils, sleep, and more.
641 - cookbooks for a variety of diets: let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food with cookbooks featuring low-fat, low-salt, low-sugar, gluten free, paleo, and other eating plans to potentially reduce disease, lower inflammation, and control symptoms.
790 - sports and recreation, including how to play/rules of the game for sportsball, and materials on swimming, fishing, and camping.
917 - travel guides to locations in New England to walk, hike, canoe and kayak.
While the library staff cannot give medical advice, we are here to help you find resources to improve your health and well-being, with your dignity preserved, privacy prioritized, and confidentiality guaranteed. Visit during open hours, or use our Ask a Librarian service to get answers to your pressing health questions. Be well!
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