1. Rehabilitation Library and Information Services
Rehabilitation Library and Information Services
Rehabilitation Library Kuntoutusportti
- Finnish web portal of information on rehabilitation
Kirsi Vierula
Information Specialist

2.
Kuntoutusportti.fi
Kuntoutusportti is a Finnish web portal of information on rehabilitation
The aim of the portal is to select relevant Finnish information on rehabilitation and make it available on the Internet
The portal provides information on rehabilitation and rehabilitation research and development
It offers different organizations and researchers a forum for introducing news, events and research projects
In addition, the web site aims at enhancing the interaction between research, practice and education

3.
Backgroud
Numerous organzations in Finland engage in rehabilitation oriented research
In the past, it was challenging to find relevant and up-to-date information on rehabilitation and rehabilitation research in Finland. This made it sometimes difficult to fully utilize research
There was a need for a place with easy access to rehabilitation information and information on studies and publications in the field of rehabilitation
The portal and the database were created during a three-year project in 2006–2008
The portal and the research database were launched in 2008
The portal was funded by the Slot Machine Association (RAY) and implemented by the Rehabilitation Foundation

4.
Target groups
The portal and the research database are mainly designed for professionals working in the field of rehabilitation and rehabilitation research and development
The site can be of practical benefit for professionals working in rehabilitation, educational and information services
It also provides information for anyone who needs information on rehabilitation
The service is open for all web users for free

5. Contents of Kuntoutusportti
Contents of Kuntoutusportti
The web portal contains:
research articles on rehabilitation and links to Finnish and foreign organizations in the field
links to other web pages containing additional resources, e.g. legislation, education organizations, libraries
news and events in the field of the rehabilitation
a blog and a newsletter
a list of new publications in the research database
the research database with information on studies and publications in the field of rehabilitation is an important part of the web portal

6.
Research Database
The database contains information on both ongoing and completed research projects, publications and articles in the field of rehabilitation in Finland
A brief summary is provided on projects from different scientific disciplines in rehabilitation
The user will find information about project-related publications and the searches can be limited e.g. by title, author, subject, key words or date
There are also links from the database to relevant organizations

7.
Continuously updated
The database is continuously updated. Data records: documents added since 2005
Over 100 organizations are “monitored”; notifications are also received from organizations
Kuntoutusportti-network – a network of researchers and other people working in the field of rehabilitation: two-way information flow of events and activities
Future development plans for the web portal:
International information
More documents in the research database
Distribute information about the portal, e.g. at conferences and other events

8. Rehabilitation Library
Rehabilitation Library
The rehabilitation library is a public library focusing on the field of rehabilitation
The library was founded to meet Rehabilitation Foundation’s own needs; later it was extended and is now the only rehabilitation library in Finland
The library and services are open to the public
Our customers are students who are studying rehabilitation, customers of Avire, our own staff and anyone who is interested in rehabilitation

9. Collections and services
Collections and services
The library holds about books and around 100 magazines
in Finnish and in other languages
mainly scientific literature, but also fiction
Collections include most of the publications which are listed in the Kuntoutusportti – web portal
Services:
lending services from our collections
interlibrary loans
literature searches on databases (mainly for Kuntoutussäätiö’s staff)
Other services:
Computers with Internet connections and databases
Sell Kuntoutussäätiö’s own books
General information about rehabilitation and book exhibitions

10.
Contact Information
Rehabilitation Foundation Rehabilitation library and information services
Pakarituvantie 4-5, P.O. Box 39 FIN Helsinki, Finland Tel
Personnel
Kirsi Vierula
Information Specialist
Anni Reuter
Planning Officer
Johanna Anttila Information Services Secretary