Health Information Plus for Public Libraries

This presentation is aimed at public library staff and is focussed upon how to get the most out of the Health Information Plus website.

It will assume you’ve already taken a look at HI+ and will provide some examples of how you might be called upon to use it in your library.

For a basic overview of all the features of HI+, take a look at the “Using Health Information Plus” presentation.

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Navigating this demonstration

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• Health Information Plus is a public-facing website.

• It is completely free to use.

• All information available through HI+ is designed for public use.

• HI+ contains information on medicines, medical conditions and wellbeing.

• It also contains details on health-related support.

• Your library users may know about HI+ already or they may not. As a member of staff, you may want to signpost the resource and/or demonstrate some of the features to your user.

About HI+ in the context of public libraries

• There are several ways HI+ can be used in public libraries.

• The next few slides will outline three examples how HI+ might be used in your library.

How HI+ can be useful in the context of public libraries?

Why public libraries?

• Education is the first step in developing healthy communities. The public library plays an important role in this process.

• Since HI+ is all about increasing public awareness of issues in health, medicine and wellbeing, a public library is the perfect place to promote it.

Example 1: The library user asks specifically about HI+

• It is possible that the library user might already know about HI+.

• They could have seen one of our leaflets at a health centre, a library or in a public place.

• They might have been recommended HI+ by their GP.

• If this is the case, you may only need to point them in the right direction.

• Make sure they know how to find the site by using the HI+ web address: www.healthinfoplus.co.uk

• If they need further assistance, you may be able to show them the basics. Show them how to search and browse for information.

• Remember, however, that health is a sensitive and often private issue and the user might not want much assistance. Try showing them the basic principles of HI+ without directly asking what they are looking for.

Example 2: The library user makes a health-related enquiry but has never heard of HI+

• A user will sometimes come to the desk in search of health information.

• This sort of enquiry is on the increase in public libraries due to specialised health information areas and ‘information prescription’ schemes.

• Explain the basics of what HI+ does. It is a website from which you can find information on illness, medicines, health, wellbeing and support.

• Provide the user with the address of the website: www.healthinfoplus.co.uk

• If they want further assistance, by all means show them how the site works. It is designed to be easy to use, however, so they may be happy to spend time browsing the site alone.

• Always remember that health is a sensitive and often private issue and that your library user may not always want assistance in finding his or her information.

Example 3: The user makes a health-related enquiry but prefers a traditional reference service rather than direction to a website

• Some library users are either uncomfortable surfing the Internet or do not have the skills to do so.

• Some library users simply prefer a traditional reference service.

• If you have the facility to do so, you can always run an HI+ search on the user’s behalf.

• An alternative to HI+ is the original NHS Scotland eLibrary at www.elib.scot.nhs.uk. The eLibrary is designed for use by medical professionals and/or librarians. If you are comfortable using it, you may find something in the eLibrary to help your user. For simple, printable public health information, however, HI+ will suffice.

Promote HI+ in your library

• To help increase uptake of HI+ in your library, you can recommend it to anyone looking for Health Information.

• You could even display a poster or make leaflets available for users to take away.

• A selection of leaflets, bookmarks and posters is available at the HI+ Support website. The materials in the ‘Support for Public Libraries’ section is specifically tailored for use in public libraries.

• For more ideas, see the “Promoting Health Information Plus” slideshow.

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