Public libraries are respected local institutions that connect community members to credible, accurate information and services. Libraries offer neutral public spaces open to all, with support from serviceoriented staff deeply committed to their communities. As local anchor institutions, libraries are leveraging these assets in response to the opioid crisis that has gripped the country. Together with community partners, public libraries are providing critically needed information and services, organizing education and training events, and supporting prevention and recovery efforts.

In response to the growing opioid crisis in the United States, OCLC—a global library cooperative—
and the Public Library Association (PLA) sought to better understand how public libraries are
responding to the opioid crisis locally with partners. Eight public libraries and their respective
community partners participated in this research study, which is based on interviews with library
staff, library board members, staff at community partner organizations, and members of the
community. The researchers, informed by the guidance of the project’s steering committee,
reviewed factors to select the sites such as the demographics of the community, the opioid
prescribing rate for the county, the rate of persons without health insurance, and whether the
community had a shortage of mental or physical health workers. The final list of participating
libraries is not expressly representative of all communities but is meant to be diverse and provide
examples of programs and services that could be approached by libraries of all sizes and adapted
to fit local capacity. Read More >>