Poster Board Number: 39
Title: Wounded in Action: Reaching out to Veterans Through Art and Programs
Objective: To support the Wounded in Action art exhibit, a national juried exhibit produced and organized by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Faculty librarians felt it was important to develop helpful resources, educate the community, and raise the awareness of the many people touched by wounded warriors.
Method: Liaisons collaborated to create a multidisciplinary LibGuide geared toward the themes presented throughout the Wounded in Action exhibit including musculoskeletal injuries, psychosocial needs, and organizations. By creating a LibGuide, the liaisons made the information provided accessible by many different types of users. The library worked with the Regional Medical Library, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, to offer the workshop, “Combating Information Fatigue: Health Information Resources for Veterans.” The executive director appeared on local television and developed a seven-minute informational video about the exhibit, which is linked to the LibGuide.
Results: From the creation, implementation, and use of the LibGuide, we were able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of our collection, make more informed purchases, obtain comments from users, and monitor the number of hits. Ninety-two people have accessed the LibGuide, 161 people have accessed the YouTube video, and 9 people attended the combating information fatigue workshop. A number of people who could not attend the workshop asked for the materials and/or requested the workshop be held at their institution.
Conclusions: This art exhibit has allowed us to rethink how we serve the campus population, service members, and the general public. The LibGuide and workshop have proved to be an excellent way to assist in the promotion and awareness of the Wounded in Action exhibit. The librarians have converted the Wounded in Action Libguide into a veteran’s health LibGuide and plan to continue offering the workshop each semester.
Authors: Anna L. Tatro, Liaison and Outreach Services Librarian; M. J. Tooey, AHIP, FMLA, Associate Vice President, Academic Affairs, Executive Director; Health Sciences and Human Services Library; University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD
