Public Libraries as Public Health PartnersKAT E F L E W E L L I N G , M L I S
N AT I O N A L N E T W O R K O F L I B RA R I E S O F M E D I C I N E , M I D D L E AT L A N T I C R E G I O N
P E N N S Y LVA N I A P U B L I C H E A LT H A S S O C I AT I O N A N D P E N N S Y LVA N I A O F F I C E O F R U RA L H E A LT H A N N U A L C O N F E R E N C E
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National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM)
Mission◦ Provide health professionals and the general public with equal access to biomedical
information
Coordinated by the National Library of Medicine
Services
Promote NLM resources
Provide training
Fund health information projects
Consult on proposed outreach efforts
Who we serve◦Health Professionals◦Medical Libraries – hospital and other◦Public Libraries◦Academic Libraries◦Community-Based Organizations◦Faith-Based Organizations◦You!
Emphasis on underserved, underrepresented groups
Public Libraries after Sandy
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Images: Flickr users Adam Melancon, Moore Memorial Public Library,Caldwell Public Library
What libraries haveComputersWiFiElectrical OutletsConference rooms/meeting spacesCustomer-service mentality
Knowledge of the communityCredibilityNormalcyExpertise in finding informationWillingness to partner“Essential community services” (Stafford Act)
And a built-in information-seeking audience!
Photos: Flickr users Clearwater Public Library, Hurstville City Library, Museum & GalleryFacebook page Whitehall Public Library
Ways to partner Health fairs/screenings
Programming-lectures/fitness
Storytimes/Summer Reading
Health Information referrals
Information distribution
Affordable Care Act
Disaster Preparedness/Recovery
Photo: Flickr user Monterey Public Library
Integration of the Free Library of Philadelphia as Public Health
Preparedness and Response Partner (Philadelphia Department of Public
Health)Library staff trainingMedical Reserve Corps trainingPersonal preparedness trainingDispense Assist
Want to Partner? National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region http://nnlm.gov/mar/Funding: http://nnlm.gov/mar/funding/
National Library of Medicine Disaster Information Management Research Center http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc.html
PA Forward (PA Library Association): http://www.paforward.org/
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Thank You!
This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. HHS-N-276-2011-00003-C with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System.
Kate Flewelling, MLISNational Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region
http://nnlm.gov/mar/[email protected]