Library Locations as Community Health Hubs
Dakota County Library
Innovation Synopsis
Dakota County Library and Public Health formed a partnership to transform library locations into community health hubs. The library contributes to this infrastructure by providing accessible community spaces, trusted staff, and countywide connections that help residents access resources, build skills, and strengthen their communities. The partnership addresses three key public health priorities: reducing opioid overdoses; improving breastfeeding rates and experiences; and promoting mental health resources while reducing stigma. The collaboration has resulted in ten Library locations distributing over 1,200 free naloxone kits; hosting over 80 breastfeeding support sessions; and distributing thousands of mental health resources. In a time when the opioid epidemic rages on, breastfeeding rates continue to fall, and our community’s mental health declines, these collaborative efforts are more impactful than ever.
Challenge/Opportunity
Reducing opioid overdoses: Since 2015, there have been over 500 deaths in Dakota County due to opioids. In 2024, Public Health began distributing naloxone kits at two county centers, but these spaces didn’t have a strong connection to community, and there were limited staff members trained in distributing naloxone and discussing opioid resources. Along with these struggles, the two locations left much of the county unserved.
Improving breastfeeding rates and experiences: Public Health created free classes for parents who want to learn more about feeding their baby, including positions, pumping milk, returning to work, and child growth. The team needed consistent class spaces throughout the county.
Promoting mental health resources and reducing stigma: Mental health ranks number two for community concerns in Dakota County and has been a designated priority for Public Health since 2013. A community trusted and safe space was needed to distribute mental health information.
Key Elements of Innovation
While Public Health has built strong partnerships with community organizations and direct relationships with families, the department was looking for new avenues to promote resources and host families in welcoming and accessible ways. With ten locations across Dakota County and nearly 1.5 million visits each year, the library connects residents to resources and support close to home in a trusted environment.
The Public Health and Library collaboration addressing three health priorities enhanced the relationship between the teams. Along with the training and resource compilation required to distribute naloxone, hosting Feeding Your Baby groups, and promoting mental health topics, the teams have built new ways to partner. The teams have created a year-long plan that features Public Health topics and events that the library has the capacity to support. This plan streamlined project workloads and promoted continued partnership growth on topics including brain health and healthy eating.
Achieved Outcomes
Increased distribution of naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and opioid resources: Over the last year, ten library locations distributed free naloxone, fentanyl test strips, and opioid resources including 1,200 naloxone kits, 300 fentanyl test strip kits and 2,000+ opioid-related educational materials. Several Library locations created displays to promote National Overdose Awareness Month in August. The displays featured books and public health resources on the opioid epidemic.
Increased availability of breastfeeding support groups and improved experiences: Feeding Your Baby support groups regularly take place at two library locations. To date, there have been over 80 Feeding Your Baby support sessions.
Increased county-wide distribution of mental health resources: Librarians created May is Mental Health Month displays that included books and educational resources on mental health topics and over 1,000 educational materials were distributed.
