Knowing How to Help: Providing Health Information in Public Libraries

ABSTRACT

Public libraries offer multiple resources and programs to community members at all socio-economic levels. One area that public libraries struggle with is the provision of consumer health information. This article reports on a qualitative study examining the practices of 38 public library staff in 18 libraries in Oklahoma, highlighting their experiences and perceptions about providing health information. The results indicate that many staff were unsure of the overall health needs of their communities. Many staff found fielding health information questions to be challenging, including issues related to understanding questions, providing online resources, and the need for more training.

KEYWORDS:

• Consumer health information
• health information resources
• library staff training
• public libraries

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ellen Rubenstein

Ellen Rubenstein is an Assistant Professor at the School of Library and Information Studies at the University of Oklahoma. She has a PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Illinois, and an MLS from Indiana University. Her research focuses on access to health information and health literacy in public libraries and online communities.