National Library of Medicine Site Visit
October 22, 2008

Idaho Partnerships for Consumers’ Health Information Access
NN/LM PNR and Idaho Commission for Libraries
(Overview)

Background:

Roy Sahali at the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Pacific Northwest Region contacted Anne Abrams at the Idaho Commission for Libraries (ICFL) about developing a plan to help/encourage Idaho’s public libraries improve access to health resources for their users. The RML is working with states within its region to strengthen cooperation between public libraries, medical libraries, and community based organizations.  The idea gained support when Kathy Fatkin, current president of the Idaho Health Information Association, contacted Roy Sahali and asked for guidance on partnering with public libraries.

In 2004, approximately 17.5% of Idaho residents lacked health insurance.  In addition, there are only 30 medical libraries in the state, 6 of them in Boise.  Lack of access to health care providers and limited access to medical libraries increases the need for public libraries to provide access to this type of information.  With an average staff size of 2.2 FTE, public libraries must take advantage of partnerships to remain knowledgeable of resources and inform their users of the quality health related information to which they can provide access.

Sue Walker, ICFL, joined the discussion to incorporate ideas about serving both the print impaired and providing access for all.  After several discussions, the group developed a cohesive plan to better meet the health care information access needs of Idaho residents. 

1. Convene a partnership building meeting in Boise, Idaho, on Friday July 18, 2008 to introduce the concept of partnering to public library staff, medical library staff, and community based organizations (CBOs).
2. Present a pre-conference workshop and health fair on October 1, 2008 at the 2008 Idaho Library Association conference in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

This plan supports ICFL’s emphasis on outreach, based on knowing the needs of one’s community through a needs assessment and partnering with community organizations.  The plan supports the following LSTA purposes:

1. Expanding services for learning and access to information and educational resources in a variety of formats, in all types of libraries, for individuals of all ages;
   Providing access to medical resources in public libraries is especially beneficial in a rural state where the public library is often the only library available to users.
2. Providing electronic and other linkages among and between all types of libraries;
   Collaboration between public and medical libraries increases the possibility that staff will remain knowledgeable of changing resources and available for future partnerships.
3. Developing public and private partnerships with other agencies and community-based organizations;
   Participants will be encouraged to partner with community based organizations to identify users and provide access to medical resources
4. Targeting library services to individuals of diverse geographic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds, to individuals with disabilities, and to individuals with limited functional literacy or information skills;
   Access to medical information through public libraries would increase access to Idaho’s diverse cultural populations such as Hispanics.
5. Targeting library and information services to persons having difficulty using a library and to underserved urban and rural communities, including children (from birth through age 17) from families with incomes below the poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget and revised annually in accordance with section 9902(2) of title 42) applicable to a family of the size involved.
   Access to medical information through public libraries would increase access to underserved segments of the community for the 12.6% of Idaho’s families living below the poverty level.

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