Rural Health : Libraries role

Libraries can be part of the solution.

Current programs and initiatives involving libraries in Maine or New England are included on this page.

How public libraries help build healthy communities
In Brookings Building Healthy Neighborhoods series
Public libraries: A community-level resource to advance population health
From Journal of Community Health
Community Centered: 23 Reasons Why Your Library Is the Most Important Place in Town
From Public Libraries Online
Digital Equity Resources for Libraries: Read ALA's New Report

Libraries as Telehealth locations

Maine State Libraries - Telehealth hubs news
Maine State Libraries with Wireless (not necessary telehealth sites) https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/directories/wireless.shtml
New Jersey State Library Health Connect Program
Provider-Library Collab to Enhance Telehealth Access, Digital Literacy
Mount Sinai Health System and New York Public Library
Reserve a Telehealth Booth at St Mary's County Library
Maryland
Care4Me Telehealth Booth at McCallen Public Library
Texas

Telehealth in Libraries

Improving equitable access to care via telemedicine in rural public libraries.
- This link opens in a new window
DeGuzman, P. B., Abooali, S., Jain, N., Scicchitano, A., & Siegfried, Z. C. (2022). Improving equitable access to care via telemedicine in rural public libraries. Public Health Nursing, 39(2), 431–437. https://doi-org.ezproxy.neu.edu/10.1111/phn.12981

Initiatives and Collaborations

Part of the R4 Connections Webinar Series through the Network of National Libraries of Medicine. This session features guest speaker Dr. Pamela DeGuzman who will focus on telemedicine in rural public libraries and her research in this area in Virginia.

Publication: DeGuzman, P. B., Jain, N., & Loureiro, C. G. (2021). Public libraries as partners in telemedicine delivery: A review and research agenda. Public Library Quarterly, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2021.1877080