Articlediamond2018

Public Libraries As Partners for Health

Eliza Whiteman Kinsey · Roxanne Dupuis · Bernadette A. D’Alonzo · Caleb Epstein · Heather A. Klusaritz · Carolyn C. Cannuscio

73 citations0/0 files storedPreventing Chronic Disease

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Library Science and Administration Public Health Policies and Education Web and Library Services

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Public libraries are free and accessible to all and are centers of community engagement and education, making them logical choices as partners for improving population health. Library staff members routinely assist patrons with unmet health and social needs. METHODS: We used a 100-question, self-administered web survey sent to all library directors listed in the Pennsylvania Library Association database (N = 621), to investigate staff interactions with library patrons to address social determinants of health. We conducted statistical comparisons of quantitative responses and a content analysis of open-ended responses. RESULTS: Respondents (N = 262) reported frequently interacting with patrons around health and social concerns - well beyond those related to literacy and education - including help with employment (94%), nutrition (70%), exercise (66%), and social welfare benefits (51%). Acute emergencies were not uncommon in Pennsylvania's public libraries, with nearly 12% of respondents having witnessed a drug overdose at the library in the past year. Most respondents felt that their professional training left them inadequately prepared to assist patrons with health and social issues. Although at least 40% of respondents offered some health programming at their library branch, their offerings did not meet the high level of need reflected in common patron inquiries. CONCLUSION: The challenges library staff members experience in meeting their patrons' information needs suggest opportunities for public libraries to advance population health. Library staff members need additional training and resources and collaboration with public health and health care institutions to respond to community needs through effective, evidence-based public health programming.

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2008Closing the gap in a generation: health equity through action on the social determinants of health 2016Beyond Books: Public Libraries As Partners For Population Health 2010Gracious space: Library programming strategies towards immigrants as tools in the creation of social capital 2013Preparing public librarians for consumer health information service: A nationwide study 2014“I’m Not a Social Worker”: An Information Service Model for Working with Patrons in Crisis

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