​Kewaunee Public Library & Algoma Public Library
Contact: Kewaunee: Ann Reinke/Librarian 920-388-5015
Algoma: Katie Haasch/Adult Services Librarian 920-487-2295

June 10, 2025

Kewaunee County Libraries Become a “Libraries with Heart”

Two libraries in Kewaunee County recently became “Libraries with Heart” after receiving a Rural Health Grant from the American Heart Association (AHA). Algoma Public Library and Kewaunee Public Library in will be the sites.

Sue Koeppe is a HeartCorps member with American Heart Association, placed in Manitowoc with University of Wisconsin Division of Extension’s FoodWIse program. FoodWIse serves low-income, SNAP-eligible people, helping improve access to nutritious food and physical activity. So FoodWIse and HeartCorps are a natural fit. As part of her HeartCorps project, Sue received funding from AHA to purchase blood pressure monitors and other materials to create a Community Heart Hub blood pressure monitoring station within the library, as well as two check-out kits. Additionally, AHA provides training, technical assistance, and education materials to support the library’s efforts.

High blood pressure is one of the top risk factors for heart attack and stroke. Nearly half of American adults with high blood pressure are not aware they have this condition. Initiatives like Libraries with Heart are part of AHA’s efforts to increase access to blood pressure monitoring, particularly in rural communities which frequently face even higher rates of uncontrolled hypertension.

Ann Reinke, Librarian at Kewaunee Public Library said, “blood pressure kits are a much-needed service to the community and they will strengthen our ties in the community hub.”

Katie Haasch, Adult Services Librarian at Algoma Public Library has a personal reason for wanting the blood pressure kits at their location. “I was excited about getting involved with Libraries with Heart in my library because of my grandfather. Seven years ago, my paternal grandfather passed away from Congestive Heart Failure. Two years prior he had a stroke/heart attack while working in his yard. With being in a small community luckily emergency services were able to get to his house quickly and my grandmother was a retired nurse.”

Katie added, “Because of his health scare and his life after the stroke/heart attack, I often wondered what would have happened if they had lived out in the country? Didn't have a phone nearby? Didn't have family close by or if grandma hadn't been a nurse? I wanted to give the Algoma Community to have a piece of mind of where they can access free blood pressure monitors and cuffs free of charge when they only need them for a short period of time.”

Check-out kits can be requested at the front desk and may be borrowed by an adult library card holder for up to two weeks.