Id		162
Author		Whiteman, E.D.; Dupuis, R.; Morgan, A.U.; D’Alonzo, B.; Epstein, C.; Klusaritz, H.; Cannuscio, C.C.
Title		Public Libraries As Partners for Health
Reference		Whiteman E.D., Dupuis R., Morgan A., D’Alonzo B., Epstein C., Klusaritz H. et al. Public libraries as partners for health. Health Prev Chronic Dis. 2018 15:E64.
Keywords		public library; commuity engagement; staff; health
Link to article		https://doi.org/10.5888/pcd15.170392
Abstract		As centers for community engagement and education, public libraries provide ideal spaces for the transfer of health information, making them logical choices as partners for improving population health. More than 9,000 public library systems across the country host 1.5 billion in-person visits annually, exceeding the number of physician office visits by over 50% . During those visits, 42% of patrons report using libraries’ digital resources to search for health information. Literacy, a core mission of libraries, is a cornerstone of lifelong health. Higher literacy, including health literacy, is associated with increased levels of fulltime employment, on-time high school graduation rates, and a twofold reduced risk of uncontrolled diabetes. Recent research conducted in Philadelphia showed that public libraries often engage in health-related roles that extend beyond circulation of reading materials. More than a third of inquiries to public librarians include questions about health. Public libraries also serve as places of refuge for vulnerable populations, including people experiencing mental illness, homelessness, immigration challenges, and trauma. Library staff members regularly assist patrons who have unmet health and social needs, but feel ill-equipped to address these patron needs. Previous research has focused on librarians’ role in providing disease-specific consumer health information; however, little is known from surveys about the extent to which librarians are called on to assist patrons with social determinants of health, such as housing, employment, and education. The objective of our study was to investigate the frequency and methods library staff members use and are familiar with to address the social determinants of health. Our research — one of several steps taken by the Healthy Library Initiative to establish the feasibility of partnering with public libraries to improve population health — can be extended nationally to inform future partnerships between public libraries and the public health sector.
Metodology		Our 100-question web survey used both open-ended and closedended queries to assess the nature and frequency of library staff members’ work related to social determinants of health in 6 domains: 1) education and literacy; 2) wellness and mental health (eg, mental illness, drug abuse, sexual identity); 3) social issues (eg, finding food, applying for social benefits); 4) finances, legal aid, and employment (eg, tax preparation, immigration, post-incarceration); 5) health care (eg, health insurance, finding a provider); and 6) housing and domestic issues (eg, homelessness, intimate partner violence). Questions also evaluated staff members’ professional training to assist patrons in those 6 domains. Additionally, the survey included questions about respondents’ job strain, the most rewarding and challenging aspects of their job, and their experiences managing patrons’ acute health and social issues in the library setting (eg, drug overdose, harassment). Survey development was informed by interviews with library patrons and staff members. Each member of the study team tested the survey multiple times before launch. Survey completion took approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The survey data were analyzed using Stata version 11.4 (StataCorp LLC) and ArcGIS version 10.3.1(Esri). Descriptive statistics were calculated and one-sample t tests of differences between means (significance at P
DOI		doi.10.5888/pcd15.170392
Search Database		Snowball
Technique		Survey; REDCap (Research Electronic Data Capture); Stata; Descriptive Statistics;

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