This is an on-going series exploring ethical-decision making practices around public health initiatives in the library. This series focuses on libraries effort to combat the so-called obesity epidemic with fitness initiatives. Part One introduces the scope of the series (including pointing to some exemplar programs at libraries). Part Two explores how libraries use the Kantian […]
In Nov 2020, I wrote about the possibility of public libraries being used as vaccination sites and why librarians should be cautious about taking this challenge, in spite of the obvious ethical value of such an undertaking. In that post, I argued that public libraries and librarians could take on important roles in vaccination distribution, […]
This time of year (and this year, especially) the pressure may be on at libraries to address patrons’ New Year’s Resolutions to get fit. With many libraries shut down and COVID-19 cases on the rise, more libraries might be tempted to offer virtual fitness programming using fitness tracking devices. In my Introduction to this series, […]
In “normal” times, it’s the most wonderful tiiiiiiiiiiiime of the year…for fitness centers. As regular gym-goers know, January is usually a crowded time at the gym where folks with New Years’ Resolutions either return to the gym or start a new membership. Fitness Centers gain new membership around the New Year, but they don’t have […]
In my course Ethical Decision-Making and Information practices, I have been researching the question “Should Libraries Act as Public Health Initiative sites?” through examining the cases of libraries acting as drug-overdose prevention sites in response to the opioid epidemic and fitness tracking initiatives in response to the so-called obesity epidemic. In this piece, I am […]
Rachel Vogus' Habits and Hobbies 