In rural communities, access to healthcare remains a persistent challenge. From long drives to the nearest provider to a lack of reliable Internet for virtual appointments, the barriers are significant— and often overlooked. But an unexpected resource is stepping up to help: your local library.
IN THIS BLOG:
Can I use telehealth services at my local library?
Yes. Many libraries, especially in rural and underserved areas, now offer resources that support telehealth appointments. These include free Wi-Fi, public computers with webcams, private rooms, and even mobile hotspots and tablets available for checkout. Some libraries also have staff who can help you access and navigate telehealth platforms.
What kind of technology can I borrow from the library for a virtual medical visit?
Libraries may lend out Wi-Fi hotspots, tablets, iPads, or laptops with webcams to help you connect with healthcare providers from home. For example, several Arkansas libraries like CALS and Fayetteville Public Library offer mobile hotspots for a two-week checkout period, along with instructions in both English and Spanish.
Are there private spaces in libraries for doing a telehealth appointment?
Yes. Many libraries offer private meeting rooms, study pods, or quiet nooks that you can reserve to attend a virtual medical appointment. Even semi-private spaces like curtained-off computer stations can provide a quieter, more neutral environment than a coffee shop or crowded home.
Can library staff help me learn how to use telehealth tools like Zoom or patient portals?
Absolutely. Library staff are often trained to assist with basic tech support, including how to use video conferencing tools, healthcare websites, and digital devices. Many libraries also host digital literacy workshops or one-on-one sessions that cover topics like joining a Zoom call, using a blood pressure monitor, or navigating an online health portal.
Why are libraries becoming involved in healthcare and telehealth?
Libraries are trusted community hubs that already provide internet access, technology, and confidential support—making them ideal partners in improving healthcare access. Especially in rural areas where broadband and healthcare providers are scarce, libraries help bridge the digital divide and connect residents to care in a safe, familiar environment.
The Problem: Healthcare Gaps and the Digital Divide
Only about 10% of U.S. physicians practice in rural areas, even though 1 in 5 Americans live there. As a result, roughly 70% of primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) are in rural or partially rural regions. This means rural residents face long wait times and many hours of travel just to see a doctor. Telehealth could help, but only if patients have the tools and tech to use it.
But here’s the catch: according to federal data, about 17% of Americans in rural areas lack access to high-speed internet (compared to only about 1% in urban areas). Even those with Internet access may not have the privacy or digital know-how to comfortably attend a virtual medical appointment. These broadband gaps became painfully evident during the pandemic, when rural residents struggled to participate in remote schooling, telework, and even online vaccination scheduling. These barriers block the very people who stand to benefit the most from telehealth.
The Opportunity: Libraries as Telehealth Access Points
There are over 17,000 public libraries in the U.S., nearly 80% of which have served as cornerstones of rural communities. Now, many are also becoming gateways to healthcare.
With free Wi-Fi, public computers, private meeting spaces, and trusted staff who are tech-savvy, libraries are uniquely positioned to bridge the gap between patients and providers.
Libraries offer:
- Broadband Access: Lifelines for online connectivity—often the only reliable and free option in town.
- Equipment for Checkout: Some Arkansas libraries offer mobile Wi-Fi hotspots for checkout with instructions in Spanish and English. Others offer other devices, like iPads and laptops with webcams perfect for telehealth appointments.
- Private Space: Meeting rooms or study pods that can be reserved for private virtual medical visits. Even a curtained-off computer station in a library provides more privacy and neutrality than, say, sitting in a loud coffee shop.
- Confidentiality and Staff Support: Library staff discreetly help patrons with research questions and ensure patrons using telehealth can do so without an audience.
- Tech Support: Staff who help patrons use video conferencing tools, healthcare portals, and websites for research.
- Health and Wellness Workshops: Workshops and public events teaching patrons how to join a Zoom call, conduct research, or read self-assessment tools like blood pressure monitors, or pulse oximeters.
Patrons are very enthusiastic when it comes to attending physical fitness classes at Terry Library... The classes are presented by certified instructors from a local physical rehab center. – Fabio Delgado, Adult Programmer, CALS
In all cases, libraries emphasize that telehealth offerings should match community needs and library capacity. The common thread is meeting patrons where they are, and lowering the barriers that prevent people from getting care. As one library-focused telehealth training put it, there is no one-size-fits-all model; telehealth in libraries is about customizing services for the local context. It can be scaled up or down, but even modest efforts can make a real difference for someone in need.
A Closer Look: Arkansas Libraries Offering Telehealth Support
Arkansas’s public libraries have embraced these strategies to help connect residents with healthcare. Many Arkansas libraries tailor telehealth-friendly services to meet the needs of their communities. While not all libraries have dedicated telehealth kiosks or exam rooms, even simple changes like reserving a quiet corner or offering tech guidance can make a big impact.
| Library (Location) | Telehealth-Related Services |
|---|---|
| Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) Largest system serving Little Rock (Pulaski County) and surrounding communities |
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| Saline County Library Benton & Bryant, AR |
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| Garland County Library Hot Springs, AR |
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| Fayetteville Public Library Fayetteville, AR |
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Why This Matters to Healthcare Providers
As a provider, you may already use telehealth to expand your reach, but patients still struggle to get connected. Libraries can be your partners in solving this problem. They’re local, trusted, and equipped with reliable tech—and they’re already making efforts to close the digital divide.
Consider referring patients to their local library for help accessing and navigating virtual appointments. Partner with local libraries to offer joint health workshops or virtual consults. Encourage patients without broadband access to check out hotspots or virtual devices. When you empower patients with options, outcomes improve, and libraries are making these options more accessible than ever.
Final Thoughts
Patrons are very appreciative of all the services the library offers, but nutrition and health programs are particularly special to me because often the patrons attending them are seniors looking to learn new things and live healthy lives. – Fabio Delgado, Adult Programmer, CALS
Telehealth isn't just about technology; it’s about accessibility, too. And in Arkansas, libraries are quietly transforming into healthcare access points for rural and underserved areas. They’re not clinics, but they are breaking down barriers. And with partners like CALS leading the way, it’s easier than ever for patients to connect with the care they need.
