Bo Xie|Julie M. Bugg
Public library computer training for older adults to access high-quality Internet health information
University of Maryland, College Park|Washington University in St. Louis
innovative experiment develop evaluate public library computer training program teach older adults access use highquality internet health information involved productive collaboration among public libraries national institute aging national library medicine national institutes health nih library information science lis academic program state university one hundred thirtyone older adults aged 5489 participated study september 2007 july 2008 key findings include participants overwhelmingly positive perceptions training program b learning two nih websites httpnihseniorhealthgov httpmedlineplusgov training many participants started using online resources find highquality health medical information guide decision making regarding health medicallyrelated matter c computer anxiety significantly decreased p 001 computer interest efficacy significantly increased p 001 p 001 respectively pre posttraining suggesting statistically significant improvements computer attitudes pre posttraining findings implications public libraries lis academic programs organizations interested providing similar programs communities