What you'll learn:
- Establishing a year-round framework for health literacy programs can extend the impact of seasonal efforts and keep patrons engaged.
- Public libraries can evaluate existing services and apply toolkits, training, and ready-to-use resources to strengthen their strategy.
- Partnering with local organizations helps broaden the library’s reach and support stronger community health outcomes.
The start of a new year is a natural time for reflection and renewal — not only for individuals, but for libraries, too. As communities focus on wellness and new beginnings, public libraries have an opportunity to strengthen their role as trusted partners in community health.
By making health literacy a year-round priority, libraries can help patrons build the skills they need to find, understand, and use reliable health information. This approach creates lasting impact well beyond January.
From Health Literacy Month to Year-Round Impact
Every October, Health Literacy Month shines a light on the library’s vital role in supporting community health. But the New Year offers the perfect opportunity to turn that momentum into an ongoing plan. Health literacy isn’t a single event; it’s a long-term investment in community well-being and equitable access to trustworthy health information.
EBSCO’s Health Literacy Toolkit for Public Libraries can help you translate awareness into action. It includes planning templates, checklists and customizable outreach materials to make health literacy part of your library’s ongoing strategy.
Start the Year with a Strong Foundation
Before launching new programs, take stock of what your library already offers. Do you promote wellness programs, highlight health databases such as Consumer Health Ultimate, or collaborate with local health organizations? Mapping existing strengths helps identify opportunities to expand your reach and align your work with community needs.
Our Health Literacy Toolkit provides a structured framework for planning your efforts, along with sample messaging that communicates the library’s value as a trusted source of health information. Whether you’re starting small or scaling up, these tools make it easier to plan with purpose and consistency.
Partner for Greater Community Impact
Strong partnerships help libraries extend their influence far beyond their physical walls. Local health departments, hospitals, schools and nonprofits often share the same goals — improving health literacy and access to reliable information.
The Health Literacy Toolkit offers practical strategies for initiating these collaborations, plus sample talking points to help librarians start conversations and develop joint initiatives such as co-hosted wellness programs or community resource guides.
Keep Health Literacy Visible All Year
New Year’s resolutions might fade, but sustainable programs keep patrons engaged long after January. A year-round calendar of health literacy programs — from nutrition and fitness to mental wellness and digital health literacy — keeps your library relevant and responsive.
The Health Literacy Programming Guide features adaptable, ready-to-use ideas for every season. For more inspiration, visit How Public Libraries Can Boost Health Literacy: 7 Strategies for Health Literacy Month and Beyond for creative programming examples.
Empower Staff and Share Success
Front-line staff are key to connecting patrons with credible health resources. Empower them with quick-reference tools, peer learning opportunities and recommended databases such as Consumer Health Ultimate.
The Health Literacy Toolkit includes training ideas and conversation starters to boost staff confidence.
Measuring success is just as important. Gather patron feedback, track engagement and share stories that illustrate how your library helps people make informed health decisions. These small wins demonstrate your library’s essential role in advancing community health literacy.
Take the Next Step
As your library sets goals for the year ahead, make health literacy part of the plan. With the right framework, partnerships and support from staff, libraries can turn awareness into action and lead their communities toward a healthier future.
