Promoting health in Gateshead: the contribution of the public library

Rachel Peacock

Reference and Information Manager Gateshead Council

Gateshead Libraries : the context

An unhealthy borough:• Low life expectancy• Huge contrasts across the borough

Health promotion fundamental to our aims:• Built into our mission statement and strategy• New emphasis on more active role rather than purely passive role

Promoting health in Gateshead

Key areas:

• Health questionnaire• Stock analysis• Health improvement activities• What’s next…

Promoting health in Gateshead

• Questionnaire findings:

Promoting health in Gateshead

• Questionnaire findings:

48% of people use the library to find health information

91% of these people use books to find info

43% use the Internet/PCs

26% use leaflets

Promoting health in Gateshead

Questionnaire findings:

95% of respondents felt that ‘the information gives me a better understanding of the condition/subject’

35% of respondents felt that ‘the information has a positive impact on my health’

57% of all users felt the library contributed positively to their health or well being

Promoting health in Gateshead

• ‘Sometimes information from the library can allay concerns and unnecessary visits to the doctors with alternative methods unless the symptoms persist’.

• ‘It is an oasis of sanity in a desert of madness. It is one of the most civilised parts of our society. It is a big part of my life’.

• ‘Access to information can set your mind at rest. Also find reading v relaxing - a bit of escapism’.

Promoting health in Gateshead

• Questionnaire findings

• Stock analysis

Promoting health in Gateshead

Stock analysis Approximately 8% of adult non-fiction issues ‘health’ related Preliminary analysis shows that health books only occupy

3% of shelf space More baseline data needed Are we being too narrow focussing specifically on ‘health’

books?

Promoting health in Gateshead

• Questionnaire findings• Stock analysis

• Health Improvement Activities

Promoting health in Gateshead

• Health Improvement Activities Specialist readers groups Supporting national health campaigns – e.g.

“Fruity Friday” Drop-in checks - blood pressure, etc ‘7 Steps to Healthy Eating’ Books on Prescription scheme Health Trainers Healthy Communities Collaborative

Promoting health in Gateshead

What’s next?…

Promoting health in Gateshead

What’s next?… Re-run questionnaire and use results as a baseline figure to

work from Stock analysis – more data needed for targets to be set Continue advocacy role with other parts of the Council and PCT Ensure redesign of the Central Library complements health

development work

Thanks for your time!

Rachel PeacockReference and Information ManagerGateshead Central LibraryGateshead NE8 4LN

Tel: 0191 433 8400Email: rachelpeacock@gateshead.gov.uk