Sexual Health Resource Cabinets
Sacramento Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Access to reliable and comprehensive sexual health care and education is essential for building healthy communities. However, across the U.S., these vital resources are under threat due to persistent stigma, financial barriers, cultural challenges, and limited provider availability. In California, funding cuts to sexual health organizations have exacerbated the situation, leading to staff shortages and the closure of free clinics, deepening existing gaps in both care and education.
Serving 1.5 million urban, suburban, and rural residents throughout Sacramento County, Sacramento Public Library (SPL) was well-positioned to address this critical gap in access. In early 2025, SPL established a partnership with Planned Parenthood Mar Monte (PPMM) to provide Sexual Health Resource Cabinets at libraries throughout the Sacramento region filled with free condoms, lubricants, dental dams, pregnancy tests, and educational brochures.
Challenge/Opportunity
The Sexual Health Resource Cabinets are designed to address the following issues:
-Throughout our service area, there are areas with limited or no access to free health clinics, especially for sexual health services.
-As of June 2025, Sacramento County Public Health Department reported higher rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections, including chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea, compared to California’s average. The current rates of these STIs have been deemed a public health epidemic in our area and pose lifelong repercussions, especially for young people.
-Barriers to pregnancy tests include cost, accessibility, and confidentiality concerns.
Patrons can discreetly and safely access condoms and dental dams to reduce transmission of STIs and unwanted pregnancies, free pregnancy tests, and educational brochures from Planned Parenthood Mar Monte about birth control options and STIs.
Key Elements of Innovation
Through our shared mission to increase access to reliable health resources, SPL & PPMM formed a partnership to launch this initiative in February 2025. SPL prioritized this service by allocating funding for supplies and equipping staff to deliver it effectively.
Key elements:
Sexual Health Resource Cabinets currently available at 12 SPL locations
-SPL stocks pregnancy tests, bags, and display items
-PPMM stocks condoms, lubricants, dental dams, and educational brochures
-Cabinets designed with a custom wrap that matches existing library materials and clearly identifies available items
-Localized approach at each site to appeal to unique community needs
Our innovative resource reduces stigma around sexual health and connects the community with critical services. As one of the only public libraries to offer free pregnancy tests, SPL is leading the way in making reproductive health resources more accessible and approachable.
Achieved Outcomes
We assess the success of this initiative through tracking item utilization, as well as collecting qualitative feedback from staff, patrons, and stakeholders.
-Since introducing the Sexual Health Resource Cabinets in February 2025, we have distributed 1,850 condoms, 1,450 lubricants, 740 dental dams, 1,725 pregnancy tests and 900 educational brochures.
-Staff from public libraries across the country have reached out for advice to replicate the service in their system.
-Placing the cabinets in public spaces has helped initiate important conversations between parents and their children about sexual health. At the South Natomas Library, our librarian shared she heard a parent telling their child while looking at the cabinet, “If you ever need these resources and you don’t want to ask me, these are here for you.”
Given the success of this service, the partnership will expand in year two, with plans to place cabinets in 14 additional SPL branches, for a total of 26 sites.
Supporting Materials:
- CapRadio article: "Sacramento Public Library adds free pregnancy tests at 12 locations"
