Understanding Libraries as Part of the Rural Active Living Environment: Evidence From a Content Analysis of Library Facebook Posts Made in Summer 2022

Author:

Lenstra Noah1ORCID,O’Hara Nancy Tompkins2ORCID,Jones Dina L.2,Townsend Zachary3,Slater Sandra4,Pickett Andrew C.5,Day Kelsey R.6,Meyer M. Renee Umstattd7ORCID,Perry Cynthia8ORCID

Affiliation:

1. University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC, USA

2. West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA

3. Salisbury University, Salisbury, MD, USA

4. Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, WI, USA

5. Indiana University Bloomington, Bloomington, IN, USA

6. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA

7. Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA

8. Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, OR, USA

Abstract

As both public health and public libraries continue to evolve, there are opportunities for collaboration focused on building policies, systems, and environments that support communities making healthy choices easy choices. Given the health disparities related to physical inactivity, such as diabetes and heart disease in rural America, public libraries within rural communities are emerging as important settings for health promotion and disease prevention. This study sought to better understand how rural libraries promote physical activity opportunities on Facebook. Based on a content analysis of Facebook posts of a random sample of 118 libraries made during the Summer of 2022, 47 of the 118 had at least one post related to physical activity and 42 had multiple posts. The most frequent offering was events or classes; libraries also supported physical activity by lending equipment and making changes to the built environment. This study provides evidence that some rural libraries are offering physical activity opportunities through community health partnerships, particularly for youth and families. Considering this evidence, public health professionals are encouraged to collaborate with local libraries to promote physical activity and advance rural health equity. Researchers are invited to continue to develop the evidence base around promoting physical activity with rural libraries.

Publisher

SAGE Publications

Subject

Nursing (miscellaneous),Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Reference28 articles.

1. Prevalence of Meeting Aerobic, Muscle-Strengthening, and Combined Physical Activity Guidelines During Leisure Time Among Adults, by Rural-Urban Classification and Region — United States, 2020

2. American Library Association, & Public Library Association. (2018). From awareness to funding: Voter perceptions and support of public libraries in 2018. OCLC. https://alair.ala.org/bitstream/handle/11213/16329/2018_From_Awareness_to_Funding_Report.pdf

3. Appalachian Regional Commission. (2018). Creating a culture of health in Appalachia—Disparities and bright spots: Exploring bright spots in Appalachian health—Case studies: McCreary county. Appalachian Regional Commission. https://www.arc.gov/research/researchreportdetails.asp?REPORT_ID=145

4. What Is Rural? Challenges And Implications Of Definitions That Inadequately Encompass Rural People And Places

5. Older Adults and the Public Library: The Impact of the Boomer Generation

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