205930 Role of public libraries in health information seeking among the working poor

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Hannah L. Shinault , Department of Advertising and Public Relations, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
Julie Winkelstein , School of Information Sciences, The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN
The working poor (i.e. individuals who work, but cannot afford health insurance) may seek health information from sources other than health care providers due to a lack of insurance. Public libraries are in a unique position in their communities to assist individuals in identifying credible information on health topics. This study has two purposes: First, the authors seek to assess the role of public libraries in health information seeking among the working poor. Second, the authors will identify barriers to use of public libraries for gathering health information among this group.

The authors will conduct in-depth interviews with individuals who are among the working poor. Participants will be recruited from a clinic for the working poor in a large southeastern city and from a charitable one-day free clinic in the same city. The results from this study will be used to recommend ways that public libraries can build health information programs that consider the working poor as their intended population. Limitations of this study as well as directions for future research will also be discussed.

Learning Objectives:
1. Assess the role of public libraries in health information seeking among the working poor. 2. Identify barriers to use of public libraries for gathering health information among the working poor.

Keywords: Vulnerable Populations, Health Disparities

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I was a public librarian for 20 years and I am currently a doctoral student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I have presented a poster session at the California Library Association annual meeting and a panel program at the Public Library Association annual meeting. I have been published in several publications, including Library Journal and the EMIE Bulletin.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

See more of: Cultural Competency and Health Literacy
See more of: Community Health Planning and Policy Development