Consumer Health Reference Interview: Ideas for Public Librarians

This two-stage study seeks to help public librarians become better prepared, and more confident and competent, when answering medical/health questions. At the first stage, eleven barriers that public librarians often encounter in the consumer health reference interview were identified through a comprehensive literature review, and at the second stage, input from professional consumer health librarians on how to overcome the barriers was gathered via a qualitative survey. Findings of the study provide concrete and practical strategies that will help public librarians more successfully conduct the reference interview to assist library users in their health information-seeking journey.     

A Pilot Study of Health Information Resource Use in Rural Public Libraries in Upstate New York

No abstract available for this article.     

美国公共图书馆年长者健康信息服务调查与分析

[目的/意义]调查并分析美国公共图书馆年长者健康信息服务现况，为我国公共图书馆开展相关服务提供参考。[方法/过程]利用网络调查法，结合文献调查、访谈和案例分析，选择服务人口数量排名前25的公共图书馆，以是否有专项年长者健康信息服务为抽样标准，对选取的14所图书馆的服务现况及特点进行分析。[结果/结论]美国公共图书馆年长者健康信息服务具有如下特点：遵循规范的服务流程；细分年长者用户群，重视50+用户；健康信息服务的主题内容较为集中，以满足用户的信息需求；以提高用户健康素养尤其是电子健康素养为主要目标。     

Health Literacy's Influence on Consumer Libraries

Health literacy has been redefined in recent years to move beyond an individual’s own communication skills to include the skills of persons working within health care organizations, including librarians. Provision of consumer health services and resources, while a long-standing practice in hospital libraries, has also been redefined. As definitions of health literacy have evolved, so too have hospital librarian services as they embrace their role within health literacy. Many hospital medical and consumer health librarians have developed programs, services, and collaborations to further health literacy awareness, education, and initiatives for consumers, health care professionals, and their parent organizations.     

A Statewide Analysis of North Carolina Public Libraries and Their Response to the Opioid Epidemic

ABSTRACT

This study sought to investigate the opioid epidemic impact on North Carolina public libraries. Libraries in half of all 100 counties were chosen through a random, geographically systematic process, and structured interviews were completed with library directors. Twenty directors were interviewed, representing 28 counties. All reported their communities were affected; nine reported direct impacts on library function. Fifteen directors felt libraries should be involved in response; some felt Narcan administration was beyond library purview. Two libraries reported having Narcan available; five reported providing staff training. Given librarians’ willingness to respond, it is time to provide necessary support for those efforts.     

Public Libraries,Serious Mental Illness,and Homelessness: A Survey of Public Librarians

The purpose of this survey was to investigate the perceptions that public librarians have of their user populations with regard to serious mental illness and its relationship to homelessness. The results found that a large number of public librarians experience concerns about the impact of such users upon other users and about the potential violence in these populations. Public librarians who took the survey expressed an interest in learning more about serious mental illness and a wish to achieve greater awareness of serious mental illness that could help them in their interactions with users who are experiencing serious mental illness.     

Collective Success: A Phenomenological Case Study of Ohio Public Libraries

This study examines the collective success and Best in the Nation status of Ohio public libraries as indicated by the Hennen American Public Library ratings (HAPLR), the “Star” libraries statistical rankings, and expert suppositions in the trade literature. This study is a phenomenological case study design that utilizes in-depth, semistructured interviews with a purposeful sample of former and current Ohio public librarians. The analysis indicates that equitable state-based funding and organized library autonomy are the overarching drivers in setting the Best in the Nation phenomenon for Ohio public libraries. This phenomenon is abetted by supportive public and professional communities within a hospitable geographic region. Altogether these qualities are the basis of a dynamic ecosystem of success for Ohio public libraries. The sharp funding reduction of 2009, however, has called the sustainability of the Best in the Nation library ecosystem into question. Additionally, the research revealed the specific nature of the phenomenon, which was not initially perceptible.     

The Transformation of Singapore's Public Libraries: A Case Study

This article is an overview of the vast changes that were made in Singapore's public libraries, focusing especially on how leadership made the reforms both relevant and healthy for the future of the system.     

论公共图书馆社区信息服务的主要内容

首先介绍社区信息服务的基本概念,其次简述国外有关社区信息服务主要内容的理论与实践方法,重点从普通用户所需的社区信息和特殊用户所需的社区信息两个方面论述我国公共图书馆社区信息服务应包舍的主要内容。笔者认为,社区信息服务是公共图书馆在竞争中求生存的重要手段,也是当今社区文化建设中不可缺少的组成部分之一。     

Public Libraries in the Eyes of the LGBTIQ Community: The Case of Croatia

ABSTRACT

The achievement of social justice, which implies the development of collections and the design of services for different user groups, is an objective present in the mission of public libraries. Since the 1950s, Croatian public libraries have been continuously developing collections and services for different user communities. However, one user community has remained largely unrecognized – LGBTIQ people. Therefore, the aim of the research presented in this paper is to examine the importance of the role of public libraries in the life of the LGBTIQ community in the Republic of Croatia. With a sample of 259 respondents, information behaviors, attitudes and experiences of LGBTIQ people in relation to public libraries have been examined via an online survey. In particular, this study explored the extent to which members of public libraries differ from non-members. The obtained results should contribute to a better understanding of the information needs and behavior of members of sexual minorities and help bring this group of users closer to (Croatian) public libraries by ensuring that libraries more adequately respond to their needs.     

Health Information and Health Literacy: Public Library Practices,Challenges, and Opportunities

This study investigated 18 libraries in two public library systems in Oklahoma to find out how they are addressing health literacy and facilitating access to consumer health information; how library staff members view their roles and responsibilities relative to health information and health literacy; what challenges libraries face; and what strategies are being used. Staff members recognized several challenges to providing health information and to developing programs, including staff and patron difficulties with reference interviews, and patron lack of awareness of library resources. Staff members often had only a partial understanding of health literacy, and were unaware of system strategies to address health literacy or provision of health information.     

公共健康信息的公共获取问题研究

全球公共健康危机的加剧引起公众对健康信息公共获取的普遍关注，从我国公共健康信息公共获取的现状出发，分析我国公共获取健康信息的障碍与问题，提出实现健康信息零障碍获取的建议。     

公共图书馆与政府信息公开

公共图书馆作为政府举办的公益性图书馆,是区域性文献信息资源收藏与提供的中心,在政府信息公开中具有天然的、不可替代的优势;同时作为公共文化服务体系中的重要环节,也责无旁贷。本文阐述了公共图书馆在政府信息公开中的作用以及政府信息公开对公共图书馆提出的要求,并指出应当注意的问题和对策。     

Users' Satisfaction as a Valid Measure for Information Resources: A Case of Public Libraries

The mission of public libraries is to serve the unique needs of their local communities. Public library User's play a very vital role in the development of these libraries by suggesting or recommending additions to the collection. This study aims to evaluate the satisfaction of users with the quality and quantity of library collection. A self structured questionnaire based on open and close ended question was constructed. A purposive sample of one hundred users was selected. The data were qualitatively analyzed using a thematic approach. Positive opinion observed related to the library response towards the suggested titles. Almost half the population of respondents was satisfied with the availability of their suggested titles in library. Most of them were dissatisfied regarding the maintenance of equal collection of books and they are not encouraged by the library staff during the books suggestion process. It concludes that there is a need to evaluate the existing library collections.     

Transition from Camel Libraries to Digital Technologies in Kenya Public Libraries

Public libraries in Kenya were established with the aim of providing information services to the general public. The Kenya National Library Service (KNLS) is responsible for providing services through its library network across the country. In the past, to combat illiteracy, the library launched various initiatives, including mobile services and community libraries. The public libraries are in a transition period of moving from paper library services to incorporate modern digital technologies for information access. This article addresses the progress from predigital to the present, examining difficulties and challenges faced in adopting new technologies in the modern information age.     

Public Library Engagement in Diffusing a Planned Community Health Initiative: A Dual Case Study

Social determinants of health beckon partnerships to empower citizens to make healthy choices. This dual case study explores the roles of public library engagement in a planned community health initiative known as the Blue Zones (BZ) project. Two cases were examined through interviews, facility environmental scans, and passive footprinting. Results indicate a potential library role in promotion and support for community health initiatives. Findings reveal a need to increase librarians’ awareness of social responsibilities beyond perceived professional boundaries, proactively collaborating with community agencies, and promoting community health initiatives through enhanced information access.     

国外消费者健康信息学研究综述

[目的/意义]分析消费者健康信息学从诞生至今20多年的发展状况,并在文献评述基础上提出建议,为国内消费者健康信息学研究提供参考。[方法/过程]对近年来国外有关消费者健康信息学文献进行梳理,主要对来自Web of Science、Science Direct、Scopus、PubMed 4个数据库中相关主题的研究性论文、综述性论文及会议论文进行调研和分析。[结果/结论]虽然有关消费者健康信息学的研究成果硕果累累,但是目前对消费者健康信息学的定义尚未统一。未来对消费者健康信息学定义需要达成共识,同时数字健康鸿沟也是该领域研究的重点。     

我国基层公共图书馆社会化管理实证研究——以安徽省芜湖市镜湖区图书馆社会化管理为例

[目的/意义] 探索一条我国基层公共图书馆社会化管理建设的途径。[方法/过程] 利用案例分析法对安徽省芜湖市镜湖区图书馆社会化管理中动因、参与主体、管理内容、资金的提供以及监督评估等各要素进行分析。[结果/结论] 通过与三山区相关数据进行对比分析,明确镜湖区图书馆社会化管理取得的成效。此外,指出其存在管理制度规范缺失、参与机构积极性不高以及评价机制不完善等不足。在镜湖区图书馆社会化管理实践经验的基础上,完善相关法律制度以及评估机制是优化我国基层公共图书馆社会化管理体系的重要方法,值得推广。