Partnering with Community-Based Organizations to Provide Health Information Outreach in Public Libraries

Monday, August 10, 2020

12:30 PM – 1:30 PM CT

Presenter and Author(s)

Kate Flewelling

Executive Director
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region
University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Slides Slides and Audio

Author(s)

MB

Michael Balkenhol

Presenter and Author(s)

RB

Renae Barger

Author(s)

Michelle L. Burda

Network and Advocacy Coordinator
Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Presenter and Author(s)

Kelsey Cowles

Academic Coordinator
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Author(s)

ES

Erin Seger
TW

Tess Wilson
TZ

Tessa Zindren

Program Manager
National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
SW

Susan M. Wolfe

Evaluation Specialist
University of Washington
Cedar Hill, Texas

Background: While public libraries are an important partner in health literacy initiatives, public library staff are often hesitant to initiate health information programming and services. However, they are willing to host and market such programs. Community Based Organizations (CBOs) often have quality existing health programs that would appeal to diverse audiences. The purpose of this pilot project is to fund Community Based Organizations to incorporate MedlinePlus and information about the All of Us Research Program into existing health programming. Funded CBOs would then offer programs in public libraries within the Middle Atlantic Region.

Description: Under a partnership with the All of Us Research Program, the Network of the National Library of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region (NNLM MAR), provided up to $20,000 to ten Community Based Organizations (CBOs) in Pennsylvania and New York. Funding was available for CBO staff time, travel, program materials and other program costs. Efforts were made to fund programming that had the potential to reach audiences frequently underrepresented in biomedical research. In order to be funded, CBOs needed to have existing high quality health programming that can be adapted for public library audiences and be able to complete in-person programs at public libraries in their area between October 2019 and April 2020. NNLM MAR staff worked with CBOs to integrate relevant health information into programs before they were delivered in public libraries.

Conclusion: This pilot program has two main goals. Goal 1 of this project is to place highly skilled health programming experts in public libraries to conduct no cost programs for public library audiences. Goal 2 is to determine whether funding CBOs to integrate health information resources into existing health programming in public libraries is a replicable model. Objectives and metrics have been established to evaluate the success of the project in meeting the two goals. Preliminary evaluation suggests both goals were met.