The think-and-do tank’s latest initiative trains Oklahoma librarians to help communities access telehealth
Oklahoma – Today, Heartland Forward – a policy think-and-do tank dedicated to serving states and local communities in the middle of the country – announced an initiative to expand telehealth access in Oklahoma by teaching librarians how to prepare community members for a telehealth visit. After launching in Arkansas last month, the collaborative effort is kicking off in Oklahoma with a telehealth training event at the Oklahoma Department of Libraries today.
More than 700,000 Oklahomans or 20% of residents lack access to high speed internet at home. This event is part of Heartland Forward’s multi-state, multi-pronged Connecting the Heartland initiative. This effort seeks to boost internet availability, affordability and adoption rates for participation in online services that are key to economic opportunity. Heartland Forward’s goal is to be a resource to states and communities by emphasizing affordability and adoption alongside expanding infrastructure.
“Telehealth is transforming health care delivery in the heartland, but people need high-speed internet to unlock its potential,” said Angie Cooper, executive vice president at Heartland Forward. “This initiative empowers local libraries to help residents and increase health care access in the heartland. We’re honored to collaborate with the Oklahoma Broadband Office and the Oklahoma Department of Libraries to ensure that more Oklahomans receive the telehealth services they need to thrive.”
For many in the heartland, health care access is limited. A Heartland Forward report found that 25 percent of counties surveyed in the region had a population-to-primary care physician ratio more than double the U.S. average. Telehealth helps to address this gap by allowing patients to visit health care providers using a computer, tablet or smartphone. This can be done at home, a health clinic or a place with computers available for public use, like a library. But to effectively improve access to care and outcomes, communities must increase patients’ and providers’ comfort levels and ability to effectively use telehealth services. Increasing access to telehealth at scale is especially critical for seniors, people with chronic conditions and disabilities and those who live in rural communities far from healthcare providers.
“Oklahoma’s public libraries are stepping up as technology ambassadors and educators for our communities. With the launch of these telehealth workshops to train librarians, our libraries are not only connecting Oklahomans to critical health services but also training them to use technology with confidence,” said Education Secretary Nellie Sanders. “This initiative underscores the vital role libraries play—not just in providing information, but in empowering residents to navigate the digital world successfully, enabling them to access the care and resources they need to thrive.”
“Making sure our public libraries have high-speed internet is essential for connecting Oklahomans to critical online resources, from telehealth to job opportunities. With reliable access, libraries can serve as vital community hubs, ensuring that everyone—no matter where they live—can participate fully in our digital world,” said Oklahoma Broadband Office Director Mike Sanders.
“Libraries are often the first place community members turn to for resources and support, especially in areas where healthcare access can be limited,” said Natalie Currie, Director of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries. “By training librarians to help Oklahomans navigate telehealth technology, we’re opening doors to essential healthcare services and enhancing the well-being of our communities. We’re grateful to Heartland Forward and our partners for making this opportunity possible, empowering libraries as crucial health and digital access points across the state.”
“We’re grateful that the James M. Cox Foundation is one of Heartland Forward’s supporters through their $25,000 grant to expand telehealth access in Arkansas and Oklahoma,” said Cox Director of Communications Christine Martin. “Cox has been a collaborator with Heartland Forward since their founding and we’re excited to see their impact grow. Whether through our investing of $12 billion in our fiber-powered network over the past 10 years nationwide or continuing our longstanding commitment to Cox’s unique affordable internet programs Connect2Compete and ConnectAssist, Cox is dedicated to connecting the communities where we work, live and serve.”
Today’s event will educate librarians on the comprehensive, online Telehealth DigitalLearn module, which teaches users how to access and prepare for a telehealth appointment. Available in English and Spanish, the module offers a complete training package, with slide decks, trainer scripts and handouts and covers four lessons: introducing telehealth, navigating patient portals, technical requirements and the telehealth visit. Following the event, librarians can use the module to help community members learn more about telehealth solutions and ultimately, improve health care access.
This training is a part of Heartland Forward’s partnership with the Public Library Association to increase digital literacy and telehealth-related skills. Funders include the Ford Foundation, which funded the module, and the James M. Cox Foundation.
For more information on Heartland Forward and its work to build thriving, resilient communities across the American heartland, please visit www.heartlandforward.org.
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About Heartland Forward:
Heartland Forward is a policy think-and-do tank dedicated to being a resource for states and local communities in the middle of the country. We do this by studying broad economic trends and building data-driven and community-tested partnerships, programs and policies to address the needs of the heartland – all while helping to change the narrative about the middle of the country and kick-starting economic growth.
About Oklahoma Department of Libraries
Oklahoma’s libraries are nationally recognized for their role in advancing health literacy and connecting communities with vital health resources. The new no-cost training module will empower library staff to understand various modalities of telehealth support, enabling them to guide customers through accessing healthcare resources and support networks. Through resources like MedlinePlus, Oklahoma libraries offer reliable health information; for example, a Pioneer library recently helped a community member newly diagnosed with cancer by connecting them to support groups and relevant articles, providing a lifeline during a difficult time.
About Oklahoma Broadband Office
Oklahoma has launched an aggressive effort to ensure fast and affordable broadband internet service is available throughout the state and the Oklahoma Broadband Office is a key component. The office’s mission is to connect all unserved and underserved Oklahomans. It will administer around $1.3 billion to expand reliable service statewide. In 2024, the office awarded over $500 million to expand high-speed internet in rural communities and plans to award an additional $750 million in 2025.