Health & Wellness @ the Library: The Essentials of Providing Consumer Health Services
Class Description | Agenda4 weeks
Class Description
This online course defines the core competencies of providing consumer health information services and then dives directly into the essential skills and knowledge that library staff need to build those competencies. The course starts by preparing you with tools to learn the demographics and health status of people in your community. Together we will examine issues of literacy, health literacy, and the health information needs of special populations. By understanding the needs of your own community and the information-seeking behaviors of users, you will be prepared with the right tools and resources even before the questions are asked.
From there we will explore authoritative resources for just about any type of health question, apps and mobile health technologies, how people are using social networking for health questions, and how to create fun and informative health-related programming for different age groups and special populations in your community. Participants will learn about core print reference and other materials for library collections, quality web resources beyond the major sites, and tips for helping library users evaluate health materials they encounter on their own.
A new topic area each week will expand on familiar concepts and provide exposure to new concepts, techniques and resources to take your skills to the next level. At the beginning of Week 2, participants will start to explore topic areas for their final project.
Objectives:
Learners will be able to:
- Explain the concept of consumer health and how the library helps to build healthy communities.
- Explain the difference between literacy and health literacy.
- Feel comfortable and confident providing health reference to diverse users.
- Understand the ethical and legal issues about providing health information.
- Evaluate the quality of health information in a variety of formats, and teach users how to recognize the elements of trustworthy materials and the warning signs of dubious health information.
- Identify and choose authoritative health information resources that are appropriate for particular users.
- Apply criteria for collection development of consumer health materials.
- Plan health-related programming and events.
Time required:
To complete all the course requirements for the MLA CE credit, participants can expect to spend on average 3-4 hours per week. Participants may also choose to work towards a certificate of completion without CE credit, which would require about 2-3 hours per week. Each week's module contains readings and selected content, discussion questions, and assignments. You can choose the options most relevant to your work and interests. Although you can work on each module at your own pace, at any hour of the day or night, it is recommended that you complete each week's work within that week to stay in sync with other learners. An extra “catch-up” week will be available at the end of the course, in case you need extra time to finish all the activities and course requirements.
Cost: Free!
Note: Our funding requires that Priority Registration will be given to participants in the Pacific Southwest Region (Arizona, California, Nevada, Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories in the Pacific Basin). Registrations from outside the region are welcome, but this does not guarantee a space in the class. Notifications of status will be sent prior to the class start.
Agenda
Week 1: Consumer Health Basics
Understanding the community
Characteristics and needs of users as they seek health information
The role and limitations of library staff as health information providers
Literacy and health literacy: definitions, implications and strategies
Week 2: Health Reference in the Real World
Unique aspects of health reference
Legal, ethical, and privacy issues
Techniques and resources for serving diverse users
Evaluation criteria and helping users evaluate health materials
Week 3: Health Resources: There's a (book, web site, app) for that
Best health websites for diseases, conditions, therapies, wellness, and more
Finding special content – multimedia, easy-to-read and multilingual materials
Choosing, evaluating, and weeding core reference and circulating materials
Guidance about using mobile technologies and social networking sites for health information
Week 4: The Library as a Healthy Place
Designing health programs of interest to users in the community
Effective promotion and marketing of health information services
How partnerships can enhance services and extend the reach of the library
Incorporating workplace wellness into your library
If you have questions about the course, please contact Kelli Ham at kkham@library.ucla.edu.
Current training opportunities for this class:
| Date | Site | RML/Center | Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday July 29, 2013 - September 20, 2013 |
Online | Southeastern Atlantic Region | Register |
| Monday August 19, 2013 - September 16, 2013 |
Online | Middle Atlantic Region | Register |
