Promoting health in Gateshead the contribution of the

Promoting health in Gateshead: the contribution of the public library Rachel Peacock Reference and Information Manager Gateshead Council billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 1

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 billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 2

Promoting health in Gateshead Key areas: • • Health questionnaire Stock analysis Health improvement activities What’s next… billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 3

Promoting health in Gateshead • Questionnaire findings: billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 4

Promoting health in Gateshead • Questionnaire findings: q 48% of people use the library to find health information q 91% of these people use books to find info q 43% use the Internet/PCs q 26% use leaflets billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 5

Promoting health in Gateshead Questionnaire findings: q 95% of respondents felt that ‘the information gives me a better understanding of the condition/subject’ q 35% of respondents felt that ‘the information has a positive impact on my health’ q 57% of all users felt the library contributed positively to their health or well being billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 6

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’. billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 7

Promoting health in Gateshead • Questionnaire findings • Stock analysis billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 8

Promoting health in Gateshead Stock analysis Approximately 8% of adult non-fiction issues ‘health’ related q Preliminary analysis shows that health books only occupy 3% of shelf space q More baseline data needed q Are we being too narrow focussing specifically on ‘health’ books? q billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 9

Promoting health in Gateshead • Questionnaire findings • Stock analysis • Health Improvement Activities billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 10

Promoting health in Gateshead • Health Improvement Activities q Specialist readers groups q Supporting national health campaigns – e. g. “Fruity Friday” q Drop-in checks - blood pressure, etc q ‘ 7 Steps to Healthy Eating’ q Books on Prescription scheme q Health Trainers q Healthy Communities Collaborative billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 11

Promoting health in Gateshead What’s next? … billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 12

Promoting health in Gateshead What’s next? … Re-run questionnaire and use results as a baseline figure to work from q Stock analysis – more data needed for targets to be set q Continue advocacy role with other parts of the Council and PCT q Ensure redesign of the Central Library complements health development work q billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 13

Thanks for your time! Rachel Peacock Reference and Information Manager Gateshead Central Library Gateshead NE 8 4 LN Tel: 0191 433 8400 Email: rachelpeacock@gateshead. gov. uk billmacnaught@gateshead. gov. uk 14