Poster Board Number: 43
Title: Net Health: Forging a Link to the Public Library
Objective: This poster examines the partnership between the libraries of a major health system and a local public library that facilitates access to authoritative, substantive medical information for the public library patrons.
Methods: Atlantic Health developed a program in 2004 that was designed to help hospitalized patients and the public obtain reliable, up-to-date consumer health information without having to visit the library. In 2010, Atlantic Health expanded the program by placing a computer kiosk in a public library. An online request form is accessible on this computer or via a link on the public library website. All requests are filled within twenty-four hours and delivered in the format requested. Surveys are sent to all users of the program. The electronic packets contain a link to a survey on SurveyMonkey. The hard copy packet includes a survey with a stamped, self-addressed envelope. All hits to the Atlantic Health website are counted, and there has been an obvious increase of requests coming from the public library. The increases in use along with the results of the surveys are used to evaluate the program.
Results: Public library patrons are often reticent about asking for help from the hospital library, this program gives them the authorization they need to ask the many questions they have when they leave the doctor’s office or when they need information about health issues or the medications they are taking.
Conclusions: The project is a public relations project for the hospital and a benefit for the citizens who access the service.
Authors: Patricia B. Regenberg, AHIP, Library Manager, Robert H. Mulreany Health Sciences Library, Overlook Hospital, Summit, NJ; Mary K. Joyce, AHIP, Library Manager, Shinn Lathrope Health Sciences Library, Morristown Hospital, Morristown, NJ; Diane O'Brien, Library Director, Library of the Chathams, Chatham, NJ
