Order Publications for your Library
Locate your Regional Medical Library to see what materials you can order or print for free online to distribute at your health outreach events. An organizational membership to your local NNLM Regional Medical Library may be required to order materials. Membership is free.
Order or download for free, these National Library of Medicine resource brochures.
Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) also provides a variety of guides with resources to use when needing health information.
Toolkits
Toolkits can make programming and services easier to implement. Many provide graphics, social media messages, and resources. Toolkits exist for libraries but also look for toolkits from agencies and organizations that can benefit your community such as those about mental health, substance misuse, and disaster planning. Below are some sample websites:
- National Institutes of Health (NIH), make sure to visit each institute which may highlight a national health observance or toolkit.
- Sign up for the Office of Minority Health newsletter where each week you can see a list of curated resources which often include toolkits.
- SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) 988 Partner Toolkit includes communication outreach materials regarding the 988 Suicide & Crisis Hotline.
National Health Observances: Health.gov highlights a national health observance each month with links to resources to highlight.
The Surgeon General’s Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation provides specific guidance and resources for health care providers, educators, librarians, faith leaders, and trusted community members to understand, identify, and stop the spread of health misinformation in their communities. It includes:
- Lessons
- Activities
- Infographics
- Checklist to evaluate information
- Tips to talk to friends, family, and your community
NNLM Reading Club: The Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) selects 3 books each month to highlight health. The kit includes information about each book, information about the health topic, and book club discussion questions.
The Diverse Voices in Health & Medicine Collections Toolkit: Available are four collection categories of books libraries can consider to add to their collections. The list of books is a compilation from NNLM funding received by 27 libraries and organizations. The PDF lists are searchable.
Birthing Persons Toolkit: This toolkit was created through an iSchool Capstone project over seen by the NNLM Region 5 staff. The toolkit includes a patron handout and resources for library staff.
We Can Do This: COVID-19 Education Campaign: The American Library Association partnered with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to share trusted vaccine information. Explore the website for resources and toolkits.
Media Literacy @ the Library: The American Library Association and partners put together this toolkit to better equip library workers to help their patrons increase their news literacy skills.
Rural Libraries and Social Wellbeing: The Rural Library and Social Wellbeing project studied at the impact of libraries on the social wellbeing of rural communities. Resources and a toolkit are available to use.
MyPlate: MyPlate is a resource from the USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture). It provides resources and guidance to help everyone eat healthier. A list of toolkits is available. The toolkits for Community and Professional Organizations AND the Communicators and Educators both contain information public libraries will find useful.
The Health Literacy Toolkit was a result of a partnership between the Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) and The American Library Association (ALA) through the Libraries Transform public awareness campaign. This Libraries Transform toolkit provides key messages, program ideas and downloadable marketing materials, including bookmark templates and social media graphics, for libraries to use as they promote health literacy in October and throughout the year.
