For the past 16 months, people have been able to have virtual doctor visits at the Waukegan Public Library’s Telehealth Booth, and now there is a second electronic setup — the Higi Station — to help visitors keep track of how their health statistics might change.

Amy Grossman, the library’s deputy director, said both the Telehealth Booth and the Higi Station are next to each other in a low-traffic section of the first floor, providing people as much privacy as possible in a public place.

While the Higi Station is in an open space where users can be seen, Grossman said they have an account to check their blood pressure or other types of history, which is secure. The Telehealth Booth locks from the inside, giving the patient complete privacy.

“All the information is on the website in a private account,” Grossman said of the Higi Station. “It’s a discreet look by design, which is good for the people using it.”

The Telehealth Booth and the Higi Station currently provide the general public with a variety of healthcare opportunities during regular hours at the Waukegan Public Library’s main downtown location, offering yet another access to medical needs.

Though people must make an appointment for the Telehealth Booth — it can be done in person, on the phone or online — Vanessa Burns, the library’s adult services manager, said they do not keep track of the use to help ensure privacy.

The newest addition to the Waukegan Public Library’s healthcare area is the Higi Station, providing people with a way to keep track of their medical information. (Steve Sadin/For the Lake County News-Sun)

“A few folks use it regularly,” Burns said, “It’s a private space, and you really don’t see when it’s being used. I notice it getting used a few times a week.”

In an effort to learn more about the use of the Telehealth Booth, Burns said the library is conducting an ongoing survey with a questionnaire that users can complete. The answers are generally positive, she said.

“Some people have suggested equipment we could add,” Burns said. “People like to use it for mental health appointments. They may be more comfortable here than doing telehealth out of their home. They may feel it is more secure.”

“The person they’re talking about may be living there, too,” Grossman added.

When an individual walks into the Telehealth Booth, they lock the door, and a fan helps block any outside noise. They sit at a table using a laptop computer with headphones to ensure privacy when communicating with a healthcare professional.

Grossman said the patient can take their own vitals with a blood-pressure machine, thermometer, pulse monitor and a scale. As soon as the door shuts, a special light illuminates, killing any germs that may be left from a prior visitor.

With up-to-date technology, Grossman said the Telehealth Booth offers an internet connection, which is much less likely to fail than devices at home, especially a cellular telephone, which has a very small screen.

“The library has fiber optics internet access, so the connection is reliable and won’t drop,” Grossman said. “It’s an ideal way to do a telehealth visit. The booth is a very private place.”

Burns said she works with community services groups like HACES to let them know about the availability of the Telehealth Booth and Higi Station.

Though the library does not charge for the use of the equipment, the cost of the visit is between the provider and the user’s insurance company.

The Telehealth Booth first opened in September 2004, and the Higi Station arrived at the library in March of last year.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/29/waukegan-telehealth-booth/