title: Community-led cancer action councils in Queens, New York: process evaluation of an innovative partnership with the Queens library system.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Community-based participatory research (CBPR) has great potential to address cancer disparities, particularly in racially and ethnically diverse and underserved neighborhoods. The objective of this study was to conduct a process evaluation of an innovative academic-community partnership, Queens Library HealthLink, which aimed to reduce cancer disparities through neighborhood groups (Cancer Action Councils) that convened in public libraries in Queens, New York.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used a mixed-methods approach to conduct 69 telephone survey interviews and 4 focus groups (15 participants) with Cancer Action Council members. We used 4 performance criteria to inform data collection: action or attention to sustainability, library support for the council, social cohesion and group leadership, and activity level. Focus group transcripts were independently coded and cross-checked for consensus until saturation was achieved.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Members reported benefits and barriers to participation. Thirty-three original focus group transcript codes were organized into 8 main themes related to member experiences: 1) library as a needed resource, 2) library as a reputable and nondenominational institution, 3) value of library staff, 4) need for a HealthLink specialist, 5) generation of ideas and coordination of tasks, 6) participation challenges, 7) use of community connections, and 8) collaboration for sustainability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In response to the process evaluation, Cancer Action Council members and HealthLink staff incorporated member suggestions to improve council sustainability. The councils merged to increase intercouncil collaboration, and institutional changes were made in funding to sustain a HealthLink specialist beyond the grant period.
authors: New York University School of Medicine, New York, New York.
authors: Upal
authors: U
authors: Basu Roy
authors: Queens Library, Jamaica, New York.
authors: Tamara
authors: T
authors: Michel
authors: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Carpenter
authors: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Ave, Belfer Building, Room 1312D, Bronx, NY 10461. E-mail: david.lounsbury@einstein.yu.edu.
authors: David W
authors: DW
authors: Lounsbury
authors: Eilleen
authors: E
authors: Sabino
authors: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
authors: Alexis Jurow
authors: AJ
authors: Stevenson
authors: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
authors: Sarah
authors: S
authors: Combs
authors: Queens Library, Jamaica, New York.
authors: Jasmine
authors: J
authors: Jacobs
authors: Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, New York.
authors: Deborah
authors: D
authors: Padgett
authors: Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York.
authors: Bruce D
authors: BD
authors: Rapkin
mesh_terms: D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006302:Health Services Research / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007990:Libraries; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D016730:Program Development