Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities (Summary Report and Case Studies From OCLC Research)
“From OCLC Research:
As the impact of the opioid epidemic is felt in communities across the US, public libraries are choosing to be part of the community response. With funding from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, (project number LG-00-18-0298-18), and in partnership with the Public Library Association (PLA), OCLC is sharing knowledge and resources that will help public libraries and their community partners develop effective strategies to address the opioid epidemic in America.
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Eight public libraries and their respective community partners participated in this research study, which is based on interviews with library staff, library board members, staff at community partner organizations, and members of the community.
This research surfaced the following as major outcomes of the libraries’ response activities:
- increased relevant resources made available to the community, such as naloxone and drug disposal kits
- made a positive impact on patrons’ lives
- increased community awareness and knowledge about the opioid crisis
- began to address stigma about substance use disorder
- increased positive perception of the library
- developed new partnerships and expanded existing ones, resulting in coordinated efforts that better meet community needs
- reached other libraries and community organizations
Report Resources
- Full Text: Summary Report
44 pages; PDF.
- Case Studies
78 pages; PDF.
Report Authors
- Scott G. Allen
Public Library Association - Larra Clark
Public Library Association - Michele Coleman
Independent Researcher - Lynn Silipigni Connaway, Ph.D.
OCLC - Chris Cyr Ph.D.
OCLC - Kendra Morgan
OCLC - Mercy Procaccini
OCLC
Research-Based Case Studies
- Barrington Public Library
- Blount County Public Library
- Everett Public Library
- Kalamazoo Public Library
- New Orleans Public Library
- Peoria Public Library
- Salt Lake County Library
- Twinsburg Public Library
See Also: OCLC Awarded IMLS Grant to Help Public Libraries, Partners Respond to Opioid Epidemic
Stephen
Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities
https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/opioid-crisis.html
“The opioid epidemic was declared a national public health emergency in 2017, and the situation worsened due to the 2020 COVID pandemic. Provisional data from the CDC National Health Statistics Center show that from September 2020 to September 2023, opioid overdose deaths in the US increased by 19%, from 88,879 to 105,303. As community anchor institutions, public libraries are leveraging their assets in response to this crisis.
To aid staff at public libraries in determining how their library can address opioid use disorder in their community, WebJunction has developed the “Opioid Crisis Support Kit for Public Libraries.” This resource will help strengthen libraries—and, more broadly, the communities they serve—as the nation continues to struggle with the opioid crisis.
The Support Kit was tested by staff in 15 public libraries across the US and enhanced by their feedback. The content includes pragmatic strategies, tools, and other resources to help libraries—including those in rural areas—as they determine their specific communities’ needs and define the roles and activities their library is most suited to carry out. The kit will help libraries assess their staff strengths and capacity, identify key partners with whom to collaborate or coordinate, and plan and implement programming and services that support local needs.
Available now
The “Opioid Crisis Support Kit for Public Libraries” is in Word document format, so that you can save your work, thoughts, and ideas. There are videos, readings, and activities specific to library work that you can learn from and explore.
Upcoming webinar
Join us on May 16, 2024 for a free webinar to learn more about the Support Kit, how it was created, and how to use it. You’ll also hear from library staff who participated in the early testing and who were able to implement new programs to meet local needs.
Preceding research
This initiative builds on research conducted by OCLC and the Public Library Association on the IMLS-funded study, Public Libraries Respond to the Opioid Crisis with Their Communities (2018-20). That project included eight case studies on how libraries were responding to the opioid crisis with their communities, and a Call to Action.
The program is made possible by support from OCLC and through a National Leadership Grant
(project number LG-250082-OLS-21) from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.”
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