Public libraries briefing and FAQs to promote health information and support

Introduction

This briefing is for heads of library services in local government and public library staff. It aims to explain the purpose of this new initiative between the NHS and libraries and answer all the key questions that you may have about taking part. It is set out in the format of questions and answers, a list of these is below the background section.  

If you have any further questions about the partnership activity, please contact the Knowledge for Healthcare email for the national NHS Knowledge and Library Services team england.kfh@nhs.net.

Service background

A significant proportion of the population do not have access to secure affordable internet, a device to access online services, basic digital skills with which to navigate services or the motivation to use them. People facing digital exclusion tend to be older adults and people from more socio-economically deprived communities.

These are the same communities who are more likely to be unsure about how to navigate health services; or find and understand the information they need to better manage their health and well-being. The data shows that they are more likely to be living longer with ill-health and ultimately have worse health outcomes.

Public libraries offer a secure, trusted, warm space where people can get help to access digital health services. Data shows that people from more deprived communities are more likely to use public libraries, making public libraries an excellent place to support people to access digital health services, and improve their health outcomes.

NHS England, as part of the National Health Literacy Partnership, has developed a suite of resources that aim to enable library staff to support their service users to navigate trusted health information, access and use their NHS account via the NHS app or NHS.uk website, and ultimately improve their health.

The national NHS Knowledge and Library Service at NHS England has also developed resources on health literacy as part of the partnership, including geodata to help with prioritisation of activity: https://healthliteracy.geodata.uk/.

Learning from pilot sites has shown that sign posting to health information through public libraries can be a very effective way of supporting people to manage their health and wellbeing. This offer is now available and is being applied in partnership with a third of the public library services in England from October 2024, with a view to rolling out more widely in 2025.

Key questions and answers