Outreach: Promoting Health Communities Partnership

The eight Regional Medical Libraries RMLs of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine NNLM will partner with the Public Library Association PLA, a division of the American Library Association ALA, to increase the knowledge and skills of public library staff related to consumer health services. The partnership will increase awareness of and participation in RML health information programming by public libraries nationwide, improving library programs and strengthening partnerships between libraries and health organizations, with the ultimate goal of improving health outcomes in communities. The initiative will consist of 1 an assessment of health information needs among public librarians; 2 a communication and marketing plan to reach PLA/ALA members, as well as broader library and community audiences with a stake in advancing health and wellness; 3 efforts to promote existing and expand new professional development/continuing education PD/CE opportunities for public library staff, including programming at public library events, such as ALA and PLA conferences. This initiative will occur from August 2017 to April 2018, and will lay a foundation for building an ongoing partnership between NNLM and PLA to sustain engagement among public librarians, their RMLs, and other health information and service organizations.