Public Libraries as Community Health Partners
Summary
Public libraries have transformed into vital community centres that extend beyond book lending to become proactive partners in promoting health and wellbeing. Through free access to information, digital resources and welcoming physical spaces, libraries engage diverse populations in activities that address social determinants of health, including social isolation, health literacy and digital exclusion. By collaborating with public health agencies, social service organisations and academic institutions, libraries develop and host a range of programmes—from health education workshops and screening referrals to peer support groups and crisis intervention services. These partnerships enhance community resilience, foster equitable access to trustworthy health information and position libraries as integral nodes within broader public health networks.
Research from Nature Portfolio
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Public Libraries as Community Health Partners publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in public libraries as community health partners across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Social determinants of health: Non-medical factors such as housing, income, education and social support that influence health outcomes.
Health literacy: The capacity to obtain, process and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate health decisions.
Community hub: A physical or virtual space that brings together diverse stakeholders to share resources, information and services for collective benefit.
References
- Public libraries to promote public health and wellbeing: a cross-sectional study of community-dwelling adults. BMC Public Health (2024).
- Public Libraries As Partners for Health. Preventing Chronic Disease (2018).
- Libraries advancing health equity:a literature review. Reference Services Review (2023).
- Homelessness at the San Diego Central Library: Assessing the Potential Role of Social Workers. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022).
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