Amy Snyder,
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences

Below is the first in a series highlighting PA Forward’s partners.
Read on to find out more about our partner, their involvement in literacy, and how libraries can work with them to promote health literacy.

Our Partner:
     National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region

Partner Profile:
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region (NN/LM MAR) is a core component of the National Library of Medicine outreach program and its efforts to reduce health disparities and improve health information literacy. NN/LM MAR works under a five-year, federal contract with the National Library of Medicine to support their efforts to provide all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improve the public’s access to health information so they can make informed decisions about their health.

Resources for Libraries?
Libraries are one of NN/LM MAR’s main partners because they are sources of biomedical and health information.  The National Library of Medicine (NLM), NIH and other government funded agencies produce a number of databases and resources containing quality, evidence-based information covering topics on genetics, environmental health, toxicology, drugs, disaster preparedness, health, and science.  These resources are produced with federal tax dollars and available to end users at no cost!  NN/LM MAR offers courses which train library staff on appropriate NLM resources and health programming strategies to target specific populations.  These include children and teens, caregivers, adults, seniors, veterans and military families and minority and underrepresented groups such as immigrants and refugees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons.

NN/LM MAR offers printed materials that libraries can order and distribute to direct their patrons to appropriate health information resources.  And, NN/LM, MAR provides funding opportunities for libraries to offer programs that improve health information literacy.

Check out the outreach page for your library type below to learn more.

Academic Libraries
Hospital Libraries  
Public Libraries
School Libraries

Of special interest to libraries who use the themes set by the Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) or the Illinois Reading Enrichment and Development (iREAD) program:  Both summer reading themes involve a focus on health, wellness, sports and achievement.  If you are interested in learning more about resources to support your summer reading 2016 program, then tune in for the February and March 2016 NN/LM MAR Boost Box sessions.

What:
Gear Up for Summer Reading 2016: Resources for Adults and Seniors
CEs Offered: 1 MLA CE
When: Tuesday, February 9, 2016 / Noon – 1pm ET
Where:  Online

What: Summer Reading 2016 Playground: Resources for Children and Teens CEs Offered: 1 MLA CE
When: Tuesday, March 8, 2016 / Noon – 1pm ET
Where:  Online

Which Literacy & Why?
Health Literacy – In order for consumers to make informed decisions about their health, they need access to quality, vetted and understandable health information, written in a language they can understand. NN/LM MAR has an interest in health literacy because their role is to educate information professionals, library staff, health care professionals and other staff that provide health information to consumers on available health and biomedical resources produced by the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health and other government agencies. Additionally, NN/LM MAR supports information and health professionals by offering training to explore the impact health literacy plays in patient care and ideas to raise health literacy awareness.

How is NN/LM MAR already working with PA Forward?
PA Forward and NN/LM MAR are collaborating on a health literacy evaluation project, Effectively Evaluating Consumer Health Information Programs.  Funded by NN/LM MAR, this PA Forward initiative will provide an opportunity to train public libraries in the effective use of measurable assessment tools.  This will provide valuable information that will be helpful in advocacy efforts with key stakeholders. In addition, participants will be trained to engage the public in effective consumer health outreach efforts through reputable sources such as those from National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Hospital & Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania (HAP).

Who to Contact?:
Renae Barger, rbarger@pitt.edu, or the primary contact listed on your library’s outreach page above.
“The National Network of Libraries sent a presenter to visit our group and talk about resources available from the National Library of Medicine.  This presenter was very knowledgeable and I learned about free resources that I can use with my patrons.  I would highly suggest other librarians utilize them and their resourc