Medicine Hat Library offering borrowable CO2 detectors for cardholders

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on July 23, 2025.

The Medicine Hat Public Library, as well as all other members of the Shortgrass Library System, are empowering their communities to take charge of their air quality.

Soon library card holders will be able to borrow CO2 monitors, which will provide information on their environments such as CO2 levels, temperature and humidity, allowing insights into ventilation and air quality of their environment.

“Poor air quality can lead to headaches, fatigue, lack of concentration, and dizziness. Canadians spend 90 per cent of their time indoors, most of it at home,” said Shortgrass in a release. “Monitoring CO2 levels in indoor spaces is therefore crucial. Unfortunately, many people lack the tools to measure and improve air quality, creating a gap this program aims to fill by providing devices not commonly owned by individuals.”

The program was made possible by a grant from Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta, a donation from the Community Access to Ventilation Information program, as well as complementary funding from Shortgrass Library System.

This program aims to improve environmental health literacy by raising awareness about the impact of air quality on well-being, Shortgrass says. To this end, resources on the subject have also been procured in the form of E-books that all member libraries can borrow.

“This initiative aligns with our commitment to promoting health and well-being in our communities,” said Petra Mauerhoff, CEO of Shortgrass Library System. “By providing access to these monitors, we’re empowering community members to take control of their environment and make informed decisions that benefit their health.”

These devices will be available in the near future, and those interested are encouraged to reach out to their local library for further details.