91��ý

CHICAGO — Though today’s consumers have unprecedented access to health information, its quality and veracity varies widely. Public libraries can play an important role in supporting library users in their health information seeking efforts. In “,” published by 91��ý Editions, Mary Grace Flaherty shows how to guide library users to high quality health information by relying on up to date, authoritative sources. She also demonstrates why taking the initiative to offer health promotion programming can be a valuable form of community outreach, serving community needs while increasing visibility. Library directors, programming staff, reference librarians, and health educators will all benefit from this book’s patron-centered stance, which features:

• a historic overview of the consumer health movement and how it intersects with public libraries;
• guidance on finding and evaluating the best print, electronic, and app-based health information sources, with advice on keeping up to date;
• an in-depth look at collaborative efforts to provide and sponsor simple health-related activities in public libraries, spotlighting programs in action at libraries across the county;
• instructions on creating, planning, preparing, marketing, and evaluating a public library health program;
• discussions of important issues surrounding health information provision efforts, including patron privacy and liability concerns; and
• guidelines for public libraries’ role in public health efforts, including disaster preparedness.

Flaherty is currently an assistant professor at the School of Information & Library Science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she teaches in the graduate library program. Her courses include Resource Selection and Evaluation; Management Issues for Small Libraries; Disaster Planning for Libraries; Health Sciences Information; Proposal Development; Seminar in Popular Materials; and Seminar in Public Libraries. She has over 25 years’ experience working in a variety of library settings, including academic, medical research, special, and public.

purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. 91��ý Editions and 91��ý Neal-Schuman publishes resources used worldwide by tens of thousands of library and information professionals to improve programs, build on best practices, develop leadership, and for personal professional development. 91��ý authors and developers are leaders in their fields, and their content is published in a growing range of print and electronic formats. Contact 91��ý Editions at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5052 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.

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