Consumer Health Library Collection Guide
By Susan Murray, MLS
Consumer Health Information Service
Toronto Reference Library
789 Yonge Street
Toronto, ON M4W 2G8
Updated April 2008
This list is intended as a general guide to useful materials for consumer health collections. Canadian materials are included along with standard medical and health titles.
The titles were selected after examining several existing core lists of consumer health materials as well as health materials in several major libraries in Toronto, Ontario. The list focuses primarily on general reference works, including indexes and computer databases, as well as periodicals and government publications. No attempt was made to provide comprehensive listings of works on individual diseases or specific health topics.
Both works intended for the lay public and standard technical and professional works that may be useful in consumer health collections are included. Health care consumers have a wide range of information needs for which both lay and professional level sources may be appropriate.
This guide was originally prepared by Joanne Marshall, Caroline Sewards and Elizabeth L. Dilworth to accompany the article, "Health Information Services in Ontario Public Libraries" (Canadian Library Journal 1991; 48(1): 37-44). The list has been expanded and updated on a regular basis by CHIS staff. This edition was updated in December 2007.
Prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. The following sources were consulted for bibliographic and pricing information:
- Global Books in Print http://www.globalbooksinprint.com/bip/
- Vendor databases
- Online bookstores on the Internet
Resources
Many resources, including books, journals, indexes and databases are available in part, or in full text on the Internet. Site addresses have been included where available. Charges may apply on some sites. The list is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Please note that addresses on the Internet can change very quickly.
- Reference Books (Technical and Professional)
- Basic medical textbooks
- General reference books written for the layperson
- Books on drugs written for the layperson
- Complementary and alternative medicine
- Electronic health databases
- Government publications
- Collection development / General consumer health resources