Program Overview

Launched in October 2020, the Rural Libraries and Health Cooperative Agreement program initially supported innovative pilot projects in five libraries systems across South Carolina to test alternative models of community care and healthcare engagement via a library system. In March 2022, the program expanded to include 4 additional library systems in partnership with the Department of Health and Environmental Control. Libraries are a natural partner in increasing access to care and services due to their reach, accessibility, and roles as trusted community institutions. The over 17,000 public libraries nationwide receive an estimated four million visits every day¹. Additionally, over 95% of Americans live in a public library service area, and half of Americans with annual incomes under $30,000 visited a library². Libraries and their staff are free to the public, located in local neighborhoods, and deeply trusted³. Libraries have the potential to become integral community resources and have been identified to be able to improve population health through modifiable social policy which have a documented relationship to health¹.  People experiencing homelessness or other life crises often tend to seek respite, information, and assistance in libraries⁴. Thirty-seven percent of library users report having utilized the internet access at the library to look for health information, treatment options, care givers, or other ways to improve their health⁵.  

Rural populations often must travel for access to many essential preventative services. Using library locations will provide vital opportunities in these under-resourced areas. The nine awarded projects represent library systems from all regions of our state and include support for social workers, community health workers, and telehealth access at library locations. The programs aim to increase access to a variety of services, including behavioral health, health screenings, and reproductive health with the ultimate goal of connecting community members to the appropriate services for consistent and sustained preventive care and treatment.