Impact of Public Libraries on the Health Millennium Development Goals

This study examines how public libraries in Senegal contribute to the country's health-related MDGs. It also analyses the community's information requirements related to health and the information services that libraries provide. Due to government incompetence, public libraries have faced a difficult problem in fulfilling their role in achieving the health-MDGs. The survey design, which employed questionnaires to collect data, is the methodology used in this study. Senegalese public library employees and patrons were the target demographic. The findings demonstrated that public libraries have been instrumental in helping to achieve the health-MDGs and that library patrons have a high need for all types of health information, particularly in the areas of maternity and child care. Nevertheless, the vast majority of public libraries lack Internet access. According to the findings, it is essential that all other pertinent agencies focus on the health-MDGs, particularly when it comes to supporting public libraries. In addition to providing information services for library patrons, the project will raise users' understanding of the roles public libraries play in promoting national and international policies.