Dissertation
From around the world to around the corner: a mixed-methods analysis of how public libraries can influence the health of immigrants
Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.), Drexel University
Jul 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000950
Abstract
Public libraries are well-situated to help immigrants adjust to life in the United States (U.S.) in many ways, as they provide direct and indirect access to health information. However, many immigrants do not use the public library, and among those who do, they often do not perceive it as a source of health information. The purpose of this dissertation is to explore how immigrants used the public library and how well-prepared public librarians were when interacting with immigrants. Findings from this dissertation can inform future public health initiatives tailored to immigrant populations in public library settings. This dissertation includes a scoping review of the scholarly literature on the topic, quantitative findings from a multi-state survey, and qualitative findings from interviews with immigrant library users and public librarians in a main library and a neighborhood branch in an urban public library system. It uses a concurrent mixed methods approach in which findings from each of these studies were compared and contrasted through triangulation to identify key themes and areas for future research and practice. Immigrants were more likely to report using the library in ways that indirectly impacted their health (e.g., English as a second language class, story time for children) rather than through direct methods (e.g., health screening, asking librarians questions related to health). Concern about language barriers sometimes prevented or delayed immigrants from using the library, and resources to address language barriers were not used consistently across library systems or between branches in the same system. This dissertation highlights the importance of collaboration between public health and public library professionals in order to ensure that the indirect and direct health benefits of public libraries are maximized for immigrant populations. It also calls for collaboration between immigrant patrons and library staff in developing programs and collections to ensure that the library meets the needs of immigrant populations.
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Details
- Title
- From around the world to around the corner
- Creators
- Suzanne Grossman
- Contributors
- Ann Carroll Klassen (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- xi, 259 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Dana and David Dornsife School of Public Health; Community Health and Prevention; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014695243504721