ERIC Number: EJ1096683
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2016
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0748-5786
EISSN: N/A
Rural Public Libraries as Community Change Agents: Opportunities for Health Promotion
Flaherty, Mary Grace; Miller, David
Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, v57 n2 p143-150 Spr 2016
Rural residents are at a disadvantage with regard to health status and access to health promotion activities. In many rural communities, public libraries offer support through health information provision; there are also opportunities for engagement in broader community health efforts. In a collaborative effort between an academic researcher and a rural public library director in North Carolina, pedometers and an individualized online health self-assessment program were made available to library users. The activities were adopted enthusiastically. Feedback included encouragement for more such opportunities; some claimed the activities improved awareness and supported healthy behavior change. With minimal investment, rural public libraries can support healthy lifestyle activities. They also afford a unique environment where library staff can collaborate with researchers to introduce, assess and evaluate community health initiatives. As we train future practitioners, we should embrace the opportunities that rural public libraries can provide for collaborative initiatives to invoke positive community change.
Descriptors: Public Libraries, Rural Areas, Community Change, Change Agents, Health Promotion, Community Health Services, Educational Opportunities, Computer Assisted Testing, Access to Health Care, Library Role, Measurement Equipment, Health Activities
Association for Library and Information Science Education. 2150 N 107th Street Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98133. Tel: 206-209-5267; Fax: 206-367-8777; e-mail: office@alise.org; Web site: http://www.alise.org/jelis-2
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A