Health literacy grants awarded to local libraries

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) is pleased to announce grants amounting to $249,189 were awarded to 50 public libraries and literacy programs. Funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services will support a variety of programs addressing the health and wellness needs of Oklahomans.

“We are thrilled to announce that both Sequoyah County Libraries have received funds from this health literacy program,” Bethia Owens, branch librarian at Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library (Sallisaw) and the Muldrow Public Library, said.

Muldrow library

Individual health literacy encompasses the skills required to find, understand, and apply information for making health-related decisions. Health literacy impacts everyone, playing a key role in preventing health issues, safeguarding wellbeing, and effectively managing health challenges when they occur. Public health literacy challenges stem from a combination of insufficient awareness and understanding of health services and information.

According to Brooklynn Bors, programs and partnerships officer at ODL, the funds will assist public libraries in creating programs and materials to enhance health literacy skills within their communities.

“Public libraries in the state play crucial roles as partners in communitybased health literacy initiatives. Through this project, libraries will contribute to advancing health and wellness in their communities based on needs identified through the most current health data,” Bors said.

Library health literacy initiatives include fitness classes, healthy cooking demonstrations, and gardening programs. In the past, more than 25 Story Walks or Story Trails have been funded by ODL. Story Walks are a simple way for families to engage in a story while walking at their local park. A complete list of all the Story Walks in the state is available on the ODL website.

ODL has been awarding health literacy grants for more than a decade. However, public libraries can only address a limited number of health issues affecting the overall well-being of the state. Per the 2022 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report by the United Health Foundation, the state’s overall health ranking remained at 45th place.

Twelve years ago, ODL and the state’s literacy providers set out on a mission to help Oklahomans learn about healthy living. In the past year, health and wellness programs throughout the state were attended by more than 100,000 participants.

“Even through this success, there is more work that needs to be done in our state to address these low levels of health literacy,” Bors said.

For more info, contact the Literacy Resource Office at ODL, or Stanley Tubbs Memorial Library or the Muldrow Public Library, which are branches of the Eastern Oklahoma Library System.