The public library, health promotion and older adults: exploring challenges and opportunities
Authors
Maniglia, Gerlanda
Issue Date
2019
Degree
MSc Information and Library Management
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
Health promotion has gained increasing importance in public library programming as part of wider community services and needs. In parallel, recent years have seen a greater focus on library servicing and programs for older adults as libraries respond to global population ageing and a growing older adult user group. This research is at the intersection of these two development. Through semi-structured group and individual interviews, this research explores how the public library is meeting the health information and health promotion needs of older people in the community and explores how libraries can enhance their role in this context. The research concludes that the library is not viewed as a significant source of health information for older adults. The main obstacles are linked to older adults’ perception of the public library and their perception of health information and health information needs. The Age Friendly Libraries Program provides the ideal framework to guide further health initiatives.