Rural Public Libraries as Community Change Agents: Opportunities for Health Promotion

Abstract

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.