Delaware
Libraries Just Launched 3 Telehealth Kiosks in Sussex County, With More To Come
@DELibraries |
Delaware
Libraries have evolved with the times,
adapting to the rise of ebooks and focusing on the varying needs of the
communities they’re in. That includes offering career and entrepreneur
services, and lending a makerspace to help make face shields at the
height of the COVID-19 PPE shortage as well as on Election Day.
The newest offering, launched today in three Sussex County
libraries, are telehealth kiosks: Community members can come and receive safe,
private virtual medical care, therapy sessions, or even things like job
interviews, meetings with lawyers or immigration support.
Nick Martin, emerging technology consultant for
Delaware Libraries, has been developing the project for several years now.
“This started as part of my Americorps
VISTA project,” he said. “I came on board with the Libraries back
in 2017, focused on STEM and emerging technology. I was looking at artificial
intelligence and virtual reality, and how the libraries could leverage that.
Telehealth came about because we have a pretty strong track record of access to
social services in the Libraries, starting with the ’08-’09 job crisis, when
[Delaware Libraries’ Statewide Social Innovator] Alta Porterfield spearheaded
the jobs center.”
Then, around 2012, Delaware Libraries partnered with Delaware Health and Social Services
(DHSS) to put social workers into the libraries.
“Pre-COVID we had 22 libraries with social workers,” said
Martin. “We have a strong history there. There’s a behavioral health crisis
happening. There’s a digital access crisis. And we have COVID, which is this
proof of concept for telehealth. The kiosks are part of a larger initiative for
better access to health and social services and technology.”
Martin says that, according to his research, this pilot
project is the first library-led telehealth initiative in the country. The
first three libraries to have the kiosks are Seaford Library, which is
considered the hub for the pilot, as well as Milford Library and Laurel Library.
The kiosk program will expand throughout the state,
starting this summer.
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