Libraries and librarians: Key partners for progress in health literacy research and practice

Abstract

The field of librarianship has a history of involvement in patient education, general literacy and information literacy efforts. This history and prominent placement in communities make libraries and librarians an excellent resource in advancing health literacy practice and research. This chapter provides an overview of health literacy and health information literacy efforts in US libraries over the past two decades.The chapter begins with the description of the role of the US National Library of Medicine in developing resources, programs, and partnerships serving health information needs of the public. It then overviews special training programs for increasing librarians' expertise with health information and health literacy support. The narrative also presents different models of health information outreach programs in diverse communities, focusing on serving special populations that may suffer from health disparities.The second half of the chapter describes libraries' and librarians' health information response to continuously evolving contexts, mediums, and requirements. One subsection describes librarians' outreach effort with cutting-edge technologies, such as virtual worlds and gaming. Another focuses on supporting patients' information needs in clinical settings. Two more describe how libraries meet patrons' health information needs in the context of disaster preparedness and health insurance market place sign-up.While presenting the information, to the extent possible, the chapter draws upon research and evaluation of the effectiveness of different types of programs. It also discusses enablers of successes, limitations of the existing data, and directions for future research.

Involving libraries in improving health literacy to achieve Sustainable Development Goal‐3 in developing economies: a literature review

“…Since libraries are essentially the hub of data and information, several research findings and reports find their way into the library or are accessible to librarians. Libraries can leverage on this strength to monitor the progress of SDG‐3 using available data to measure the 13 targets of the ‘good health’ goal, in line with health literacy research reported in the literature (Whitney et al., ; Zach et al., ). Libraries can use this to monitor how their country is doing in terms of achieving the goal.…”

“…Librarians have engaged in health literacy research to document information resources, access, services, training needs, challenges and information behaviour of users (Whitney, Keselman & Humphreys, ). Some health literacy research also evaluate health literacy interventions (Xie, ; Zach, Dalrymple, Rogers & Williver‐Farr, ), while librarians’ health literacy was also a subject of research (Amini & Mostafavizade, ).…”

“…Aside library based research, librarians can initiate specialised literature search and systematic reviewing services that will support health research activities in their institutions as reported by Whitney et al. (). This can also ensure the contribution of librarians towards directing research attention to issues surrounding health literacy and SDG‐3.…”

Health information literacy awareness and capacity building: Present and future

“…Libraries are a natural place for community members to get access to the wide range of information available, and to seek assistance from librarians to support lifelong learning and skill development. Long before the term "health literacy" was applied to this area, librarians actively answered consumer health questions and provided patient education (Whitney et al, 2017). Librarians know their local communities and can engage people and connect them to resources.…”

“…The program was piloted in 16 Pennsylvania public libraries and the toolkit is freely available for other libraries to use in their communities (National Network of Libraries of Medicine, 2017). In June 2013, attendees at the American Library Association were called to action by President Barack Obama to support the public's health information needs and assist with signing up for health insurance on the online marketplace created by the ACA (Whitney et al, 2017). Public libraries met the call with varying capacities for support, with very few (only 5%) thinking they should not play a role in the ACA (Kohn, 2013).…”