The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #54505

Barbara A. Carlson, MLIS, Carolyn M. Jenkins, MSN, DRPH, Katharine H. Hendrix, MS, PhD, Gayenell Magwood, RN, MSN, PhD(Cand), and Charles L. Hossler, MSN, PhD(Cand). REACH 2010, College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Box 250160, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, Charleston, SC 29425, 843-792-5874, carlsonb@musc.edu

Research measuring the use of public library resources and services and their impact on community health is scarce. This paper reports on the library program of a multi-disciplinary diabetes project working to eliminate the health disparities in approximately 12,000 African Americans with diabetes in Charleston and Georgetown counties in South Carolina.

This project integrates library resources and tailored education programs into community-driven initiatives to provide sustainable diabetes self-education within communities. It assesses and disseminates resources and evaluates educational activities related to resource use, diabetes information seeking behavior, and community empowerment. Interventions are facilitated by developing partnerships with public libraries, community health advisors and grassroot community organizations. Customized print and Web-based finding guides, posters, pathfinders, bookmarks, Web narratives, and other educational materials are accessible to people in urban community settings and in rural areas via the Cybermobile.

One hundred African Americans participate in diabetes library instruction. Pre-test, post-test, and follow-up phone surveys are used to evaluate changes in their library use, attitudes, and knowledge. Library circulation data track resource use patterns. This research develops instruments that measure the use of library diabetes resources and their impact on community health, and aims to identify resources, strategies, and materials that will improve diabetes information seeking in a population disproportionately affected by diabetes.

Learning Objectives:

• Identify three print or electronic public library resources for people with diabetes. Discuss the role of tailored educational materials and instruction in diabetes community education. Recognize partnership opportunities with libraries for health education and outreach.

Keywords: Diabetes, Health Information

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.