"You Have to Do This When You're Healthy": An Introduction to Library Involvement in Programming on End-of-Life Issues

Abstract

While the library literature shows that librarians work to address information needs about end-of-life issues, no systematic research on library involvement in programming about these issues yet exists. A preliminary study was conducted of library staff whose libraries have been involved in end-of-life programming or had considered this programming between 2018 and 2023. The study consisted of an online survey, followed by an interview with respondents whose libraries had been involved in this programming. The study sample (N=13) included public and academic libraries around the United States and in communities of various sizes. Reported activities included speaker series, Death Cafes, instruction on obituary writing, support for palliative and pastoral care groups by creating information resources, and a virtual training for public library staff about meeting patrons’ needs for end-of-life health information. Topics covered medical, financial, legal, emotional, and spiritual questions related to death and dying. Respondents described a variety of partners as valuable contributors to programs’ success. Some programs incorporated methods to help manage program participants’ anxieties about the subject matter. Respondents reported positive experiences with these programs and positive feedback from participants, but possible effects of volunteer bias and the small sample size prevent conclusions about how typical this is. More research is necessary to understand patterns among these programs, ways to protect the emotional well-being of those involved, and strategies to tailor programs to best meet library patrons’ needs for information on end-of-life issues.