Libraries for Health Initiative

Addressing depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions are some of Central Texas’ most pressing health needs. And while both urban and rural communities struggle with access to timely and affordable quality mental health services, issues in rural communities are exacerbated due to inadequate mental health resources and mental health care provider shortages.

While safety-net clinics serve as a vital part of providing and ensuring access to health care for residents, they are not the only community hub for health – libraries can also play a critical role. Libraries are trusted and accessible community gathering places that bring together people from diverse backgrounds and offer access to resources for those who may be uniquely at risk for mental health conditions–particularly those who may experience the greatest barriers to care.

In August 2021, the Foundation responded to the need for mental health care and issued a Request for Proposals which sought to reimagine the delivery of mental health by building upon trusted community networks and piloting Libraries for Health. Ten libraries in Central Texas were selected to participate in the pilot beginning in January 2022. RAND served as the pilot’s design and evaluation partner and worked alongside Via Hope, the pilot implementation partner that led the hiring, training, and management of the peer specialists. Moving forward, Austin Mental Health Community will serve as the peer support specialist and implementation partner for librarians continuing this initiative. In July 2025 the evaluation report, brief, and toolkit were released, learn more here.