NNLM Wash & Learn National Model Year 2

Through various partnerships with local libraries and national organizations, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services IMLS and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine NNLM, Libraries Without Borders LWB has rapidly scaled its Wash and Learn Initiative WALI, which delivers library services and programs in laundromats. Beginning as an early childhood literacy program, WALI has broadened its scope to include critical health information, digital literacy, and to raise awareness about the Research Program 71 among laundromat customers across 4 locations in the Middle Atlantic MAR and Greater Midwest GMR regions of the NNLM through its WALI-Health program. With the infrastructure for WALI and WALI-Health in place, LWB is in a unique position to expand on this model at a national level. Phase 2 seeks to expand WALI-Health by increasing the capacity of libraries, small business owners, and community partners to develop tailored outreach projects that reach low-income populations, many of which are underrepresented in biomedical research communities. In Phase 2, LWB will build on the toolkits content based on feedback from members of the Advisory Committee and other partners received in phase 1. LWB will produce a singular, cost effective national model that can be easily leveraged by individual libraries and customized to the needs of their community. This will reduce the burden on libraries on developing a WALI Health site from scratch, allowing them to use the strategies and proposals that have been successful in the past. This phase 2 of the project integrates the existing work of NNLM grantees, kiosk learning programs, and library-health outreach. By continuing the development of the WALI Health model through April 30, 2021 to final completion, LWB and its partners have the unique ability to develop quality end products that will enable libraries and small business owners across the country to deliver WALI-Health sites.