NNLM Reading Club January Announcement

January often brings a time of reflection and fresh starts to a new year. Some may be struggling with issues of substance misuse and need resources to learn more about it - whether it has touched them directly or they just want to understand the topic better, especially from a first-person point of view.  Because substance misuse doesn’t take a holiday, any week is a good week to discuss substance misuse, addiction disorders, and treatment choices for both young and old. To help get the conversation started, visit the NNLM Reading Club Book Selections and Health Resources: Substance Misuse. Choose one of the three featured books, then download the discussion guide, promotional materials and corresponding Substance Misuse resources. Apply for a free NNLM Reading Club Book kit.

Public Library Focus Groups at ALA Midwinter

Join Us! We are seeking public library staff to participate in focus groups to help us learn more about partnerships between public libraries and public health. Whether or not you have a relationship with your local public health practitioners, we'd like to hear from you!

The Public Library Association (PLA) and its partners are hosting 3 focus groups during the ALA 2020 Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. The focus groups will be held at the Philadelphia Marriott, 1201 Market Street, in Meeting Room 409. Days and times are below. You do not need to be registered for the ALA Midwinter Meeting to attend.

• Focus Group 1: Saturday, January 25, 9am-10am Eastern
• Focus Group 2: Saturday, January 25, 1pm-2pm Eastern
• Focus Group 3: Sunday, January 26, 9am-10am Eastern

Participants will receive compensation of a $50 Amazon gift card for participating! These focus groups are being held in conjunction with the National Networks of Libraries of Medicine, Prevention Research Centers, Public Library Association, and the Midwestern Public Health Training Center.

To RSVP, please complete the simple survey and let us know which focus group you will be able to attend.

CHIS Spotlight - Wendy Bundy

Position: Adult Services Librarian Institution: Loudoun County Public Library-Purcellville Branch Please share a few sentences about your position and what you do. I work as an Adult Services Librarian, but what I do sometimes involves families or other groups in the community as we are a very family oriented community. I plan programs for this population and help with maintaining the adult book/non-book collections. I also provide tech support for many of our online resources. Why did you want to receive Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS)?     I already had the Disaster Information Specialization and when looking at classes for CE hours for that, I noticed the Consumer Health option. In order to set myself a part from other recent MLS candidates, I decided to pursue this specialization as well to be more competitive in the job market. How have you used what you learned in NNLM CHIS courses in your work?     I recently did a How to meal prep session for our patrons that was well received. This was something I created based on personal experiences and things I learned in classes for the CHIS, like the An Apple a Day course. As a result of that session, we have partnered with a local group called CAST, that supports young adults with disabilities, and will be doing more workshops related to life skills, including health information, to help these individuals be more independent. Why do you feel providing health information is important to your work/community? Everyone should be involved in their own health care. This is something that I have believed for a long time, but I think sometimes people put too much trust in doctors and other professionals without thinking about how it really affects them. I want to empower people in the community to be an active part of their healthcare and not be afraid to ask questions or try alternatives to traditional medicine. Any tips or advice you have for someone interested in taking classes to achieve CHIS?     Go for it! Don't rush through the material either. There is a lot of value in talking with other people in the classes with you. You will get out of the classes what you put into them, so take them seriously and really absorb the material!

Leominster Accessibility Walk 12-20-19

Visions Consulting L3C is an amazing funded partner with the AoURP NNLM New England region who is trying to engage many Visually Impaired People (VIPs) and their caretakers in the North Worcester (Mass) county area to join them at the local public libraries for programs that are based on increasing both the physical and mental health status of their participants who often are isolated and home-bound.

Estimates of the number of VIPs in north Worcester County usually exceed 1,000, with one estimate around 3,000. Since many people who are blind or low vision don’t self-identify, the true number eludes. However, we know that these VIPs are typically home-bound, where isolation and depression go hand-in-hand.

We continue to bring groups together to reduce and eliminate social, physical and logistical barriers. In the City of Worcester, VIPs have met and interacted with sighted volunteers, cultural organizations, government officials and lawmakers, medical professionals, transportation companies (MBTA, Uber), media companies (Audio Journal, WCCA-TV), and non-profit organizations (Lions Club International and others).

Liz Myska the director of this program who also is blind has led the way to promote awareness of how disabled people don’t need to be isolated. Because of her efforts, she has brought improvement in the physical and mental status of the participants. To date, the WalkFit program has grown from five participants per event to an average of 30 per event.

As I watch this recent video with the Leominster Mayor and a local State Representative I understand more about visual disabilities and reach out to those who need support. I hope you can support an endeavor of this type in your area.

Catherine Martin, M.Ed., CHIS
Community Engagement Coordinator, All of Us Research Program
NNLM-NER