Consumer Health Information Project

About the Program

Category: Libraries (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

In an effort to increase public health literacy, Chesterfield County Public Library (CCPL) launched a successful consumer health information service. The county’s efforts to offer a Consumer Health Information Project were aided by an Express Outreach project Award from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. Over a period of 12 months, great strides were made by training library reference staff to better utilize health related resources, in part by offering consumer health information presentations and consumer health packet services to the public. Select CCPL staff received training to present materials for consumer health presentations that were offered to the public. These classes were held in our branches across the county. The topics included heart health, bone and joint health, respiratory health, mental health and digestive health. Reference staff received training to provide individualized consumer health packets to customers who requested specific health information. A dedicated phone line and e-mail were set up so the customers could make their health inquiries via e-mail or phone. A strong marketing campaign advertised and promoted the program to make the community aware of the new services offer by CCPL.