What do you think?
Rate this book
Promoting Individual and Community Wellness at the Library
Though today’s consumers have unprecedented access to health information, its quality and veracity varies widely. Public libraries can play an important role in supporting library users in their health information seeking efforts. In this book Flaherty shows how to guide library users to high quality health information by relying on up to date, authoritative sources. She also demonstrates why taking the initiative to offer health promotion programming can be a valuable form of community outreach, serving community needs while increasing visibility. Library directors, programming staff, reference librarians, and health educators will all benefit from this book’s patron-centered stance, which features
•a historic overview of the consumer health movement and how it intersects with public libraries;
•guidance on finding and evaluating the best print, electronic, and app-based health information sources, with advice on keeping up to date;
•an in-depth look at collaborative efforts to provide and sponsor simple health-related activities in public libraries, spotlighting programs in action at libraries across the county;
•instructions on creating, planning, preparing, marketing, and evaluating a public library health program;
•discussions of important issues surrounding health information provision efforts, including patron privacy and liability concerns; and
•guidelines for public libraries’ role in public health efforts, including disaster preparedness.
Armed with this book’s expert advice and plentiful examples of successful initiatives, public libraries will feel empowered to make a difference in community members’ health and well-being.
•a historic overview of the consumer health movement and how it intersects with public libraries;
•guidance on finding and evaluating the best print, electronic, and app-based health information sources, with advice on keeping up to date;
•an in-depth look at collaborative efforts to provide and sponsor simple health-related activities in public libraries, spotlighting programs in action at libraries across the county;
•instructions on creating, planning, preparing, marketing, and evaluating a public library health program;
•discussions of important issues surrounding health information provision efforts, including patron privacy and liability concerns; and
•guidelines for public libraries’ role in public health efforts, including disaster preparedness.
Armed with this book’s expert advice and plentiful examples of successful initiatives, public libraries will feel empowered to make a difference in community members’ health and well-being.
144 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2018
2 people are currently reading
38 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 20, 2020
Covers history (various ways health info has been accessible, public vs. medical libraries), consumer health information vs. patient education, collection evaluation, recommended web sources, misinformation, disclaimers, health promotions (e.g., Health Happens in Libraries), NLM resources for programming, creating objectives for health program initiatives, outreach, community health info, and resources on outbreaks from the CDC and disaster preparedness.
Mentions that healthfinder.gov has resources for National Health Observances
I like the mention of staff having walk breaks.
Comprehensive overview of groups that may be partners, including public health departments, health care organizations, senior centers, support groups, social service agencies (such as Head Start, immigration departments/organizations that serve refugees, veterans support networks, poison control centers, Red Cross, homeless shelters, rural health networks, urban health councils), fire/police/emergency services, criminal justice system, parks and rec, National Park Service, schools, college, extension agencies, other libraries/consortia, faith organizations, local service organizations (like Rotary Club, Lions Club), other clubs (gardening, walking), businesses (bike shops, car dealerships, restaurants)
Collection development and topic selection for programs can be based on data found in community heath assessments or from CDC's Community Health Status Indicators
Mentions that healthfinder.gov has resources for National Health Observances
I like the mention of staff having walk breaks.
Comprehensive overview of groups that may be partners, including public health departments, health care organizations, senior centers, support groups, social service agencies (such as Head Start, immigration departments/organizations that serve refugees, veterans support networks, poison control centers, Red Cross, homeless shelters, rural health networks, urban health councils), fire/police/emergency services, criminal justice system, parks and rec, National Park Service, schools, college, extension agencies, other libraries/consortia, faith organizations, local service organizations (like Rotary Club, Lions Club), other clubs (gardening, walking), businesses (bike shops, car dealerships, restaurants)
Collection development and topic selection for programs can be based on data found in community heath assessments or from CDC's Community Health Status Indicators
February 27, 2019
WOW! Awesome introductory resource for understanding and assisting in HEALTH literacy!
Published in 2018, the book offers up an amazing array of statistics and history of health care options of public:
Did you know that as of 2016, only 17% of libraries were collaborating with some sort of local health department? Yikes!
It addresses staff reluctancy towards questions about health inquiries (health care, yoga, diet trends, etc) and library privacy agreements and liability. It talks about good ways to expand on Collection Development. It gives a long list of resources for Nationally recognized Health Programs for Adults and Youth. It also mentions the really cool concept of joining the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) for traveling exhibits.
It also gives great insight into how to reach out to the community, since Health and Wellness covers a broad spectrum. 1) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY. 2) Be S.M.A.R.T.E.R. (Specific, Reasonable, Accessible, Realistic, Time Band, Evaluate, Revise) among others.
It also reminds libraries to think about EMPLOYEES mental and physical health.
It only hits the tip of the iceberg with programming though. Examples include:
Early Literacy (read and reach aka yoga storytime), using monthly health themes in storytimes
Others include Walking Trails, 5K's or Health Screenings.
Published in 2018, the book offers up an amazing array of statistics and history of health care options of public:
Did you know that as of 2016, only 17% of libraries were collaborating with some sort of local health department? Yikes!
It addresses staff reluctancy towards questions about health inquiries (health care, yoga, diet trends, etc) and library privacy agreements and liability. It talks about good ways to expand on Collection Development. It gives a long list of resources for Nationally recognized Health Programs for Adults and Youth. It also mentions the really cool concept of joining the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) for traveling exhibits.
It also gives great insight into how to reach out to the community, since Health and Wellness covers a broad spectrum. 1) KNOW YOUR COMMUNITY. 2) Be S.M.A.R.T.E.R. (Specific, Reasonable, Accessible, Realistic, Time Band, Evaluate, Revise) among others.
It also reminds libraries to think about EMPLOYEES mental and physical health.
It only hits the tip of the iceberg with programming though. Examples include:
Early Literacy (read and reach aka yoga storytime), using monthly health themes in storytimes
Others include Walking Trails, 5K's or Health Screenings.
Read
October 7, 2019School read. Interesting. Especially as I find myself very illiterate in my own health insurance policy/experience. It 1) angers me—AMERICA YOU NEED TO FIX OUR STUPID HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, 2) I love research and knowing that medical databases and resources are available at the library fascinates me. I could do this job, helping patrons navigate this world. 🤓
January 5, 2021
Very bland, short look at the considerations libraries have regarding community health initiatives and collection management for health issues. It lingered on some statistically insignificant survey responses and glossed right over some harsh truths about print materials being out of date almost immediately and having a ton of incorrect information.
February 28, 2022
Great resource full of ideas and pointing the reader toward additional relevant resources to dive into particular aspects in more depth.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews