LEXINGTON PARK, Md.—Customers at all three St. Mary's County Libraries can now take comfort knowing they will be in good hands if they should suffer a heart attack or other life threatening event. Each location is now equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) unit.
Over the past summer the county library system teamed up with the Department of Emergency Services and Technology to purchase and install the equipment at the library's three locations in Charlotte Hall, Leonardtown and Lexington Park. The county's Human Resources Department also supported the project by providing the training. 23 library staff members volunteered to take the required five hour American Red Cross CPR and AED training and certification course.
"For those library staff members to take it upon themselves to get trained and certified is amazing," said Bob Kelly, Emergency Services and Technology Director. "This is a great example of how our county team can step up and be ready to help our citizens whenever the need may arise."
With each library location attracting between one and two thousand people each day, having access to this life-saving equipment is invaluable. "While we hope we never have to use the equipment, it is comforting to know it's at arm's length," said Kathleen Reif, Library Director. "This brings a further sense of comfort for both our staff and our customers."