You are here
Healing Communities: Libraries and Social Determinants of Health
An Infopeople Online Learning Course (LSSC approved)
| Fee per learner | $200.00 |
Course Instructor: Fatima Perkins
Libraries are critical entities that contribute to a community’s quality of life profile. While addressing community issues, libraries are being introduced to social determinants of health. Participants will gain knowledge about social determinants of health: economic stability, neighborhood and physical environment, education, food, community and social context, and health care systems. Participants will learn about how libraries can impact communities through the social determinants of health. Library examples will be given.
Social determinants of health (SDOH) are important to libraries because libraries serve as vital community partners. Libraries are seen as trusted, accessible community hubs to address by empowering diverse populations in the community programs and services. According to the 2015 Pew survey, almost two-thirds of adult Americans say that closing their local library would have a major impact on the community. This course will help library workers consider their role in their community’s SDOH and how to be impactful partners (Pew Research Center, 2013, How Americans Value Public Libraries).
Course Outline: When you log in to the Infopeople online learning site, you will see weekly modules with these topics:
- Week 1: What are social determinants of health?
- Objective 1: Learn about the social determinants of health.
- Objective 2: Understand how libraries can be contributors to reducing the negative impact of social determinants of health.
- Week 2: Review of Social Determinants: Economic Stability, Food, and Health Care System
- Objective 1: Define and understand highlighted social determinants of health.
- Objective 2: Explore the impact on communities.
- Objective 3: Discover how libraries can help with key examples.
- Week 3: Review of Social Determinants: Neighborhood and Physical Environment, Education, and Community - Social Context
- Objective 1: Define and understand highlighted social determinants of health.
- Objective 2: Explore the impact on communities.
- Objective 3: Discover how libraries can help with key examples.
- Week 4: Identify the social determinant of health domains that are prevalent in your library’s community
- Objective 1: Evaluate opportunities in your community to address social determinants of health.
- Objective 2: Understand how librarians and libraries may assist with addressing social determinants of health in the community.
- Objective 3: Create ideas as to how the library may assist with addressing the social determinants of health in the community.
Additionally, the course will include two live 60-minute online sessions:
- Thursday, February 26th from 1 PM to 2 PM PT
- Thursday, March 12th from 1 PM - 2 PM PT
These sessions will be recorded, and the recording will be shared afterward.
Time Required: To complete this course, you can expect to spend 2 1/2 hours per week, for a total of twelve course hours. Each week's module contains readings and various options for assignments, discussions, or online meetings. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners.
Who Should Take This Course: All librarians should have an interest in this course.
Do you work in a rural or tribal library? If so, you may be eligible for a course fee waiver for this course. This Infopeople course has up to five no-cost seats allocated for rural or tribal libraries. Fill out a fee waiver request, and if a no-cost seat is available you will be notified via email.
Keywords: community engagement, outreach, partnerships, programming