Public Libraries as Public Health Partners KATE FLEWELLING, MLIS NATIONAL NETWORK OF LIBRARIES OF MEDICINE, MIDDLE ATLANTIC REGION PENNSYLVANIA PUBLIC HEALTH ASSOCIATION AND PENNSYLVANIA OFFICE OF RURAL HEALTH ANNUAL CONFERENCE 10/2/14

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 4 Images: Flickr users Adam Melancon, Moore Memorial Public Library,Adam Melancon Moore Memorial Public Library Caldwell Public Library

What libraries have  Computers  WiFi  Electrical Outlets  Conference rooms/meeting spaces  Customer-service mentality  Knowledge of the community  Credibility  Normalcy  Expertise in finding information  Willingness to partner  “Essential community services” (Stafford Act)

And a built-in information-seeking audience! Photos: Flickr users Clearwater Public Library, Hurstville City Library, Museum & GalleryClearwater Public LibraryHurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery Facebook page Whitehall Public LibraryWhitehall 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 LibraryMonterey Public Library

Lancaster Health Information Network

Integration of the Free Library of Philadelphia as Public Health Preparedness and Response Partner (Philadelphia Department of Public Health)  Library staff training  Medical Reserve Corps training  Personal preparedness training  Dispense Assist

Want to Partner? National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region  Funding: National Library of Medicine Disaster Information Management Research Center PA Forward (PA Library Association):

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 C with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System. Kate Flewelling, MLIS National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region 11