The PRC-RH has supported the Midwestern Public Health Training Center in this project to understand, promote, and support partnerships between public health departments and public libraries.
Team members:
- UIowa: Natoshia Askelson (lead), Hannah Shultz (lead), and Laurie Walkner (lead), Derek Johnson
- PRC-RH Students: Kaci Ginn
- Partners: Midwestern Public Health Training Center, National Library of Medicine-Greater Midwest Region, Public Library Association
Project dates: 2019-2020
Funding sources: UI PRC-RH, National Library of Medicine (NIH)
Details
Description
Public libraries and public health departments are a natural fit for collaboration. Focusing on health aligns well with the core values of librarianship, which include access, diversity, supporting the public good, and social responsibility. The PRC-RH has supported the Midwestern Public Health Training Center (project lead: Laurie Walkner) in a project aimed at understanding, promoting, and supporting partnerships between public health departments and public libraries. Dr. Natoshia Askelson serves on the project’s advisory committee and helped develop a focus group guide and survey. Results of this project were used to develop a toolkit for successful partnerships between public health and public libraries. The toolkit includes webinars, four podcast episodes, and other resources to support collaboration.
Resources, Media, & Publications
Toolkit to support successful partners between public health and public libraries
"Public Library Partnerships," A Podcast Mini Series. In this mini-series, we explore the benefits of strong partnerships between public health departments and public libraries.