Beyond an Apple a Day:
Providing Consumer Health Information at Your Library
Abstract
This hands-on class will cover the health information seeking behavior of consumers and the role of the librarian in the provision of health information for the public. Come learn about the evolution of consumer health, health literacy and the e-patient. Participants will be equipped with knowledge of top consumer health sites, e-patient resources and collection development core lists. We will discuss creative ideas for health information outreach. The class will wrap up with an opportunity to explore effective marketing approaches and develop an elevator speech.
Objectives
This class teaches you the basics of providing consumer health information at your library. We will cover:
- History and evolution of consumer health
- Challenges of providing consumer health information at your library
- Planning a consumer health service
- Collection development
- Consumer health on the internet
- The reference interview
- Ethics
- Outreach
- Project development / marketing
Course Materials
Continuing Education
This course has been approved for 2, 3 or 4 hours of Medical Library Association Continuing Education Units.
Instructors
Greater Midwest Region
Samanthi Hewakapuge, Consumer Health Coordinator, 
1(312)996-2226, 
1(312)996-7791
Jacqueline Leskovec, Outreach, Planning and Evaluation Coordinator, 
leskovec@uic.edu, 1(312)996-2226, 1(312)996-7634
Midcontinental Region
Dana Abbey, Health Information Literacy Coordinator/Colorado, Health Information Literacy Coordinator/Colorado, 1(303)724-2110
Barbara Jones, Network Membership and Missouri Liaison, jonesbarb@health.missouri.edu, 1(573)884-5042
Marty Magee, Nebraska and Education Coordinator, 1(402)559-7076
Middle Atlantic Region
Lydia Collins, Consumer Health Coordinator, lydia@pitt.edu, 412-624-1515, 412-624-1411
New England Region
Michelle Eberle, Consumer Health Information Coordinator, 1(508)856-2435
Pacific Northwest Region
Nikki Dettmar, Education and Assessment Coordinator, snydern@uw.edu, 
nicoledettmar, 1(206)543-3409
Gail Kouame, Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator, 1(206)221-3449
Pacific Southwest Region
Kay Deeney, Educational Services Coordinator, 1(310)825-5389, 1(310)206-0525
Kelli Ham, Consumer Health and Technology Coordinator, 1(310)825-5389, 1(310)825-1984
South Central Region
Cheryl Rowan, Public Health Coordinator, cheryl.rowan@exch.library.tmc.edu, 1(713)799-7880
Karen Vargas, Consumer Health Coordinator, karen.vargas@exch.library.tmc.edu, 1(713)799-7198
Southeastern Atlantic Region
Terri Ottosen, Consumer Health Coordinator, 1(410)706-0099, 1(410)706-2855
Nancy Patterson, Community Outreach Coordinator, 1(410)706-2855
Sheila Snow-Croft, Public Health Coordinator, 1(410)706-0099, 1(410)706-2855
Author
Jo-Ann Benedetti MA, MLS, AHIP, Manager of Information and Outreach Services at the Upper Hudson Library System in Albany, NY.
Editors since 2005: Michelle Eberle and Terri Ottosen
