Community Collaborations: Healthy Community Initiatives

Community health is at the intersection of healthcare, economics and social interaction. Libraries are at the core of a healthy community and play a vital role in public health when they provide a gathering place for people and provide access to information and resources. Creating conditions that foster healthy communities ensures that all people can thrive, regardless of physical, social, or economic status.

Jackson District Library (JDL) is fortunate to be a partner of the Jackson Collaborative Network (JCN), a group of 500+ members from dozens of organizations, dedicated to the collective aim of identifying and addressing the root causes of systems issues that are contributing to inequities for residents and creating systems that support a healthy community. Learn how JDL uses this partnership to listen to community health survey data, to support service agencies by sharing program information, and to address barriers to accessing services.

Case studies include how the library helped support access to community health services through the Community Living Room project and the CareHub, the unexpected needs that emerge from community conversations, how the Trusted Advisors were created to reduce barriers to accessing services, and how many of the community health survey data points informed the launch of JDL’s adult literacy program in 2019.

Learn from JCN what insights they have gained, and how your library can be a beacon of community well-being within your own community.