Identifying Health Information Services for Older Adults in Public Libraries: A Systematic Review

BahrololoumiTabatabai, Faezeh Sadat, Riahinia, Nosrat, Haseli, Davoud and Pazooki, Fatemeh Identifying Health Information Services for Older Adults in Public Libraries: A Systematic Review. Human Information Interaction, 2025, vol. 12, n. 2, pp. 1-24. [Journal article (Paginated)]

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English abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify health information services for older adults provided in public libraries through a systematic literature review. Methods: This research employed a systematic review approach based on the framework proposed by Kitchenham and Charters (2007). Relevant documents were retrieved from three citation databases—PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science—covering the period from 2010 to 2024. Appropriate keywords were used, and references and citations of the retrieved documents were examined to ensure maximum coverage. Inclusion criteria comprised research studies addressing health information services for older adults within the context of public libraries. Ultimately, 54 English-language documents were selected and analyzed. Data were qualitatively coded and categorized. Findings: The results revealed that health information services for older adults in public libraries can be classified into three major categories: 1) Health information functions, including individual health information services, public health information services, and digital resources; 2) Health education and informational empowerment functions, encompassing digital and health literacy training, library-based learning and skill development, and support for lifelong learning and empowerment; and 3) Social and cultural support functions, including cultural and social participation services, strengthening communication and reducing isolation, and ensuring physical and service accessibility. Conclusion: The public libraries can play a significant role in improving the health and quality of life of older adults by providing accessible and reliable resources, promoting health and digital literacy, fostering social support, and facilitating referrals to health services. Achieving this role requires adequate library infrastructure, enhanced professional skills among librarians, and collaboration with health institutions. Overall, this study offers an evidence-based framework for developing health education services in public libraries and highlights their role in addressing the needs of aging communities.

Persian abstract

هدف: هدف این پژوهش، شناسایی خدمات اطلاعات سلامت برای سالمندان در کتابخانه‌های عمومی از طریق مرور نظام‌مند متون معتبر علمی است. روش: این مطالعه به روش مرور نظام‌مند و بر اساس چارچوب كيچنهام و چارترز (2007) انجام شد. جستجوی مدارک مرتبط در سه پایگاه استنادی PubMed، Scopus و Web of Science در بازه زمانی 2010 تا 2024 انجام گرفت. کلیدواژه‌‌‌های مرتبط برای جستجو استفاده شدند و منابع و استنادات مدارک نیز بررسی شدند تا حداکثر پوشش مطالعاتی حاصل شود. معیار ورود مدارک شامل مدارک پژوهشی مرتبط با خدمات اطلاعات سلامت سالمندان در بستر کتابخانه‌های عمومی بود. در نهایت 54 مدرک انگلیسی زبان انتخاب و تحلیل شدند. داده‌ها به صورت کیفی کدگذاری و دسته‌بندی شدند. یافته‌ها: یافته‌ها نشان داد که خدمات اطلاعات سلامت سالمندان در بستر کتابخانه‌های عمومی در سه گروه اصلی دسته‌بندی می‌شوند: 1) کارکردهای اطلاع‌رسانی سلامت شامل خدمات اطلاعات سلامت فردی و خدمات اطلاع‌رسانی عمومی و منابع دیجیتال. 2) کارکرد آموزش سلامت و توانمندسازی اطلاعاتی شامل سه دسته خدمات آموزش سواد دیجیتال و اطلاعات سلامت، آموزش کتابخانه‌ای و مهارت‌های یادگیری، و پشتیبانی از یادگیری مادام‌العمر و توانمندسازی. 3) کارکرد پشتیبانی اجتماعی و فرهنگی شامل سه دسته خدمات مشارکت فرهنگی و اجتماعی، تقویت ارتباطات و کاهش انزوا، و دسترس‌پذیری فیزیکی و خدماتی. نتیجه‌گیری: یافته‌ها نشان می‌دهد کتابخانه‌ها می‌توانند از طریق فراهم‌سازی منابع قابل‌فهم و معتبر، آموزش سواد سلامت و دیجیتال، ایجاد حمایت اجتماعی و ارجاع به خدمات سلامت، نقشی مؤثر در بهبود سلامت و کیفیت زندگی سالمندان ایفا کنند. تحقق این نقش مستلزم تجهیز مناسب کتابخانه‌ها و تقویت مهارت‌های تخصصی کتابداران، همراه با همکاری نهادهای سلامت است. در‌ مجموع، پژوهش چارچوبی شواهد‌محور برای توسعه خدمات آموزش سلامت در کتابخانه‌های عمومی و نقش آن‌ها در پاسخ‌گویی به نیازهای جامعه سالمند ارائه می‌کند.

Item type: Journal article (Paginated)
Keywords: Elderly, Health Information Services, Public Libraries, Systematic Review
Subjects: D. Libraries as physical collections. > DC. Public libraries.
Depositing user: HII Journal Human Information Interaction
Date deposited: 26 Dec 2025 05:47
Last modified: 26 Dec 2025 05:47
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10760/47430

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