Background: Community resources such as public libraries, which often serve as informal “third places” for social engagement, may promote health and well-being in older adults. They could contribute to global healthy ageing efforts, yet longitudinal evidence on their health impact remains limited. This study examines the longitudinal association between frequency of public library visits and 44 health and well-being outcomes in community-dwelling older men and women.
Methods: Data from >12,000 (range, 12,124–12,896) relatively healthy, community-dwelling Australians aged 70+ years were analyzed. Frequency of library visits was assessed at baseline and categorized as never, ≤3 times per month, or ≥ once per week. An outcome-wide analytical approach was used to evaluate 44 health outcomes across physical, cognitive/major health events, psychological, social, and behavioral domains. These outcomes were measured ~2 years post-baseline or >7 years for time-to-event outcomes. All analyses were gender-disaggregated and adjusted for multiple covariates, including pre-baseline outcome values.
Results: At baseline, participants had a mean age of 75.2 years (±4.3 years; range, 70–95 years), and 54.5% were women. Library visits were more common among women than men. Compared to non-users, library users showed better physical and cognitive outcomes (e.g., reduced risk of dementia), greater social well-being (e.g., higher participation in cultural activities), and healthier behaviors (e.g., increased fruit and vegetable intake). No associations were observed for most psychological outcomes. Gender differences were found: men had stronger associations with reduced disability and mortality >7 years follow-up, while women had greater social and behavioral benefits (e.g., lower risk of social isolation, higher physical activity) but a higher falls risk at 2-year follow-up.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that public libraries, which are accessible and often overlooked community resources, may support healthy ageing. Integrating libraries into public health strategies could provide a scalable and cost-effective way to improve health and well-being in older populations.
