Health Information Without Limits: A Print Collection for Consumers in the Heart of the Hospital

Vigil, Sharon

Leonard, K., & Earl, M. (2016). Health information without limits: A print collection for consumers in the heart of the hospital. Journal of Hospital Librarianship, 16(2), 132-144, DOI: 10.1080/15323269.2016.1150739.

Summary:

This article describes how the Health Information Center (HIC) at the University of Tennessee Medical Center developed a print collection primarily for patients, family members, and community visitors, in order to help improve health literacy. The print collection was used in-house and circulated to patients, family members and the hospital community. The authors provide details about the selection criteria for the consumer health collection, the relationships formed between the Centers of Excellence leadership and librarians, and the success of the HIC membership and print collection. The authors infer that while many libraries are weeding and decreasing their print collections, there are still many patrons that prefer a print collection over electronic resources.

Evaluation:

This article is a good example of why libraries should not eliminate print collections altogether. Although the current trend is to weed out print collections and focus on electronic resources, it really comes down to the library’s needs and preferences of the community. It is important to consider the individual needs of the patrons and other factors such as the percentage of the population that has below basic literacy skills and technology skills.

Advocating and Integrating: LGBTQ lit in school libraries up to par?

Hughes-Hassell, S., Overberg, E., & Harris, S. (2013). Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ)-Themed Literature for Teens: Are School Libraries Providing Adequate Collections?. School Library Research, 161-18.

In their study of 125 high schools throughout the southeastern United States, Hassel, Overberg and Harris came to a few important, and perhaps surprising conclusions regarding materials for and by LGBTQ community members.

#1     While it is probably no surprise that the high schools studied were generally undercollecting LGBTQ-themed materials, many libraries failed to properly tag or catalog their LGBTQ themed titles so they were nearly impossible to find through the catalog.

#2      LGBTQ Biographies were found to be especially lacking in high school collections.  While identifying with fictional characters can be self-affirming, reading about individuals who have braved and survived a homophobic world can be incredibly empowering to queer students.  Let's step it up!

#3      School libraries are called to uphold curriculum and support state standards.  As it stands, nearly all states have adopted comprehensive reproductive health curriculum that includes LGBTQ health-related issues, yet most of the high schools in the study had none or very few materials related to LGBTQ health issues.  For this reason alone school libraries have a responsibility to provide health and sexuality information.  Reproductive health, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation are topics that fall within any high school health course.  We can do better and we are obliged to.

J. Hasselberger
Spring 2016

Teens & Technology: Connecting to Health Information

Laudato, Maricar

Farmer, L. (2014). Issues in teen technology use to find health information. The Journal of Research on Libraries and Young Adults, 4(1). April 27, 2015.

Summary

Lesley Farmer’s article outlines the information seeking behavior of teens in regards to them looking for information related to health issues. She says that teens seek health information when they need it or are in fear about their health (are afraid that they may be sick), rather than being proactive about wanting to maintain or stay healthy. Another reason they may seek health info is because they value anonymity because of a health condition they may feel embarrassed asking about (acne, mental illness, sexuality). Because of this, a great majority of teens will not seek librarians for help. Rather, teens will oftentimes go to the internet first for confidentiality reasons. Due to the information-sensitive nature of the content teens are seeking, Farmer lists ways in which libraries can help connect teens with the health information they seek. 

Evaluation

I wanted to read this information because of HIPAA laws. In what capacity can librarians aid patrons, especially minors such as teens, find the health information they need? For example, what types of reference interview questions are we permitted to ask, and which ones should we refrain from asking at all? As a librarian working at a school, sometimes I hear too much information that a teen divulges about their personal well-being that I am mandated to report (i.e. suicidal thoughts, abuse, etc). I found Farmer’s suggestions on how libraries could still involve themselves in helping teens (whether directly in person or as an intermediary by including/referring good health website links on our website) as something I’d consult in the future.