The Perfecto Oyola Biblioteca Criolla, the Spanish branch of the Jersey City Free Public Library, held its first-ever Health Fair on Monday, May 16, 2005, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The constant stream of patrons seeking to have their temperatures and blood pressures taken, and blood screenings for sugar count and cholesterol, demonstrated the public’s interest in maintaining good health.

PRESENTING, CRIOLLA’S HEALTH FAIR – Assistant Branch Manager Patricia Vega (right) of the Perfecto Oyola Biblioteca Criolla and Elizabeth Segarra , CAT coordinator (Communities Against Tobacco) of Partners in Prevention, a co-sponsor, stand to offer the public free health checks and a little education at the Health Fair.

CAT COORDINATING – Partners in Prevention displayed the health risks involved in tobacco smoking. Not only were there many brochures to read, but there was a very visual reason why communities should be against tobacco – an actual jar of tobacco tar representing a full year’s worth of smoking one pack of cigarettes, the very substance that harms a person’s lungs.

A PICTURE’S WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS – The pictures in the table-top easel show a healthy lung on the left – and the lung marred by tobacco tar, on the right.

A SPOONFUL OF SUGAR HELPS THE MEDICINE GO DOWN – Using that bit of advice from fictional nanny, Mary Poppins, the Jersey City Episcopal Community Development Corporation, co-sponsor of Criolla’s Health Fair, gave out lollypops after patrons received their free health screenings.

ENCOURAGING GOOD HEALTH – Elizabeth Segarra of Partners in Prevention, Health Fair co-sponsor, talks to a potential patron before he went inside the Criolla Branch for his free screenings. Two other people, who already made the healthy decision, proceed to the Health Fair.