Overview of Library Services: The HealthInfo Center
at the Gerald Tucker Memorial Medical Library
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
By Rosalind F. Dudden
Health Sciences Librarian
Gerald Tucker Memorial Medical Library
National Jewish Medical and Research Center
1400 Jackson Street, Denver, Colorado 80206
Voice: 303-398-1483
FAX: 303-270-2149
duddenr@njc.org
http://Library.NationalJewish.org
Developed in 1988; Revised in 2001
Permission granted to use with credit given for the source
Purpose
To give potential patients, present patients, the general public, and employees access to information on the diseases we treat on a scientific level they can comprehend. To promote health and wellness to employees.
Methodology:
The Medical Library established an organized collection of materials in January, 1988, and coordinates its content and use with the Patient Education program, LungLine, and other existing programs of the Center.
Administration:
The Health Sciences Librarian will have responsibility for the organization of the collection. She will supervise the planning and implementation of the program.
- Staffing:
- Two library volunteers (total of 8 hours per week) will be recruited.
- Budget:
- Initial and continuing Budget as listed below.
- Facility:
- The corner of the Medical Library to the left as you enter.
- Publicity:
- Brochures and publicity are coordinated with Public Relations
Reference:
Primary: The collection is arranged for self-service with clear instructional signs. The staff (volunteers and library staff) is instructed about how the materials are arranged. The staff will assist users if necessary.
Secondary: The reference collection of the Medical Library is available to read on the premises. The main collection of the Medical Library would also be available but not circulated.
Tertiary: The Medical Library staff will do simple computerized searches on very specialized questions for patients if requested with permission of the patient's doctor. This service is absorbed by the Library Budget.
Interlibrary loan:
Consumer health materials outside the scope of the collection are borrowed from the collections at St. Joseph Hospital or Swedish Medical Center only. Materials from UCHSC or elsewhere is charged at $12.00. No recreational materials are borrowed.
Selection of Materials:
Coordinated with the Patient Education Program, LungLine, and others in the institution, materials about the "diseases we treat" are reviewed and approved by National Jewish staff using a review form. Other materials are selected by the Librarian. The core subject collection consists of newsletters, magazines, books, pamphlets, and photocopied articles.
Arrangement of Materials:
The materials of the Library are arranged systematically. The books are cataloged with their own card catalog. Journals are arranged alphabetically. Pamphlets and photocopies are filed using a controlled vocabulary. All technical processing is done by the library staff and volunteers. Brochures and signs help the users locate materials.
Circulation of Materials:
Users register using a registration form. Books and pamphlets are circulated to any registered user. Overdue notices are sent if necessary. "Med Facts" type materials, National Jewish pamphlets, and photocopies of some articles about National Jewish programs are provided free of charge. All other materials can be photocopied at 10cents a page. The circulation activity is processed by the volunteers and library staff.
Institutional Integration: (Potential)
- Patient Education:
- A tour and explanation of the library conducted by the patient educator could be integrated into the curriculum. The HealthInfo Center is mentioned in several classes.
- LungLine:
- Local callers who expressed the need could be referred to stop by the library in person.
- Outpatient Clinic:
- Patients could be referred to the library if they had waiting time between tests.
- Medical Staff:
- Under certain circumstances, patients could be referred to the the library to read specific articles or books known to be available there.
- Nursing Staff:
- Regular nursing staff, when asked specific questions, could refer in-patients to the library.
- Occupational /Employee Health Nurse:
- Coordination with the Employee Assistance Program to purchase health and wellness books on her recommendation so she can refer employees to the collection.
- Former Fellows and Referring Physicians:
- These physicians could be informed of the library through the Medical-Scientific Update. Upon request, they could be provided with bibliographies of patient related materials for their own office or clinic.
- Public Affairs:
- The HealthInfo Center could be mentioned in publicity as a program of the Center.
- Center Employees:
- All employees could use the collection for their own personal health concerns. The library's existence could be promoted through the Wellness program.
Budget:
- Books, Newsletters, magazines and pamphlets:
- $1,900
- National Jewish Med-Facts and Pamphlets
- $2,500
- Processing (cataloging, lists)
- $300
- Supplies:
- $100
- Promotional Materials
- $50
- Total:
- $4,850
Facilities:
A sound-proof partition was installed. Some furniture was purchased using budgeted funds. Some Herman Miller dividers were installed by Plant Maintenance.