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Notes
from the Chair
Message
from the Chair
By Eris Weaver
This week I gave a presentation
about my library to participants in a senior program at the local Buddhist
temple. I accepted their gracious invitation to join them for lunch
afterwards. I enjoyed delicious homemade Japanese food while chatting
with several ladies about the group’s oral history project and
the book they published recently. I struggled to understand the accents
of those who had been born in Japan; my neck was sore afterwards from
hunching down in order to hear these ladies, who were all quite a bit
shorter than I. Even though I was the youngest one there and the only
non-Japanese, non-Buddhist person in the room, we managed to find common
ground. 
While I enjoyed the experience,
it was also a little bit of a challenge to feel comfortable in a setting
with which I was not familiar and in which I was an outsider. As consumer
health librarians, we need to remember that many of our clients may
feel like outsiders in our libraries and our health systems. Just as
I didn’t quite know what to expect at Enmanji,
our clients may not quite know what to expect when they first visit
us. The library jargon to which we are so accustomed – ILL, circ,
MeSH, etc. – may sound like a foreign
language to them. They may be anxious. They may be afraid of saying
the wrong thing and sounding stupid. Yet they come because they believe
that we can help them, that we have the resources and the answers they
need.
I think it is important to
remember that feeling, that outsider-ness, that sense of not being entirely
sure what is going on. It reminds me to watch my language for jargon
and not to assume that the people to whom I am speaking share my knowledge
or background. It keeps me humble and reminds me to treat people who
may seem ignorant with gentleness and kindness. I am making a conscious
effort to put myself in such situations on a regular basis: go shopping
in a neighborhood where mine isn’t the language spoken; attend
a sporting event for which I do not know the rules; go to a religious
ceremony that is not my own; or eat at a restaurant where I can’t
read the menu. I encourage others to give this a try, and apply the
results to your library practice.
CAPHIS
Kudos
Congratulations to CAPHIS
member Cuyahoga County (OH) Public Library, ranked #1 for their population
category (500K+) in the latest Hennen’s
America’s Public Library Ratings. See the article on FURL
to learn more about projects at Cuyahoga County Public Library.
MLA
2005 Annual Meeting Program Themes
It’s
time to start thinking about MLA ’05 in San Antonio. A list of
all section program themes is available at http://www.mlanet.org/am/am2005/participate/sp_themes.html.
CAPHIS sponsored programs
are:
- Reaching out magnificently
to all at all points of care or need
- Challenging patrons, Challenging
questions: case scenarios to enlighten our futuro magnifico
- Research methodology 101
(part 1): yes, you can do research
- Research methodology 101
(part 2): yes, you can do research
- Establishing best practice
Articles
The
Power of FURL
By Susan
Blaskevica, Regional Consumer Health Specialist; Greg Weller, Information
Technology Department Systems Manager; Erica Bartick, Regional Music
Specialist; Christy Wiggins, Regional Genealogy Specialist; Mark Faldowski,
Regional Education Specialist; all from the Cuyahoga County Public Library
What
is a FURL and how can it be useful in a library setting?
FURL (which
stands for File URL) is a new tool for saving, sharing and finding web
sites and pages. It stores the links on the FURL site so you can access
your personal collection from any browser, anywhere, anytime. You can
even have people subscribe to get emails on links you collect in all
or specific topic areas you use to organize your links. Links can also
be posted to specific web sites by categories, creating a kind of ongoing
web log of saved (FURLed) links.
The way
it works is simple. When you find a link you want to save, you click
on a downloaded FURL button on your tool bar and a form will pop us
allowing you to custom categorize, annotate, rate, assign searchable
key words, and if you want, send the link to people you think are interested.
The implications for the librarian
are many. Patrons and other staff would be able to subscribe to and/or
search specific categories of expert searches by librarians in those
topic areas. When librarians leave a branch or the system, their accumulated
knowledge base of reference links remain for future users. It is a unique
offering in the library community and industry.
What
does this mean for the Librarian?
Quite simply, it allows the library
to leverage its human expertise to provide customers with a catalog
of 'best internet sites'. Anytime a librarian runs across a really useful
web site, he or she can click on a button on the browser and a form
will pop up. The librarian can annotate the site, add keywords to make
finding the site easier, and categorize it. It's all done without ever
leaving the browser--and ‘all’ it involves is filling out
a form.
Once the information is saved, it
can be retrieved in a number of different ways. A customer can 'subscribe'
to a particular subject specialty, or even a sub-topic within that specialty.
Whenever a new site is FURLed; the customer
will get an email with that information. A particular topic or group
of topics can also be automatically published on a web page. FURLs ability archive timely information such as obituaries
or articles make it especially appealing to librarians.
The librarian never sees any of this—it
takes place in the background. All the librarian is involved with is
what they do best--providing our customers with up-to-date information
on a plethora of topics.
The Cuyahoga
County Public Library System FURL
The
Cuyahoga County Public Library system has 29 locations, including four
regional libraries, which house in-depth collections and information
specialists (Expert Searchers) in specific subject areas. Some of those
subjects are: Fiction, Education, Genealogy and Consumer Health. Presently,
each of the subject specialties has a “page” on the Cuyahoga
County Public Library web site (www.cuyahogalibrary.org).
The FURL can provide an added dimension to these pages by allowing us
to archive and store useful web-items.
This
summer, a task force was formed to investigate the possibility of incorporating
FURL with the subject specialties. Four of the subject specialties
were chosen (out of 16 total) to participate in a pilot program utilizing
FURL. Those specialties chosen are: Music, Genealogy, Education and
Consumer Health. The FURL pilot has been on-going for six weeks and
has generated the following numbers for the Cuyahoga County Public Library
FURL pages: CCPL FURL homepage hits- 2,484; CCPL Education FURL- 1,171;
CCPL Music FURL- 970; CCPL Genealogy FURL- 878 and finally the CCPL
Consumer Health FURL with 832 views. These numbers are as of September
1, 2004. The Cuyahoga County Public Library FURL pages have received
more hits than any of the other CCPL subject specialty pages and more
hits than any of the CCPL branch pages. Recently, a conference call
took place with task force members and the FURL’s founder, Mike Giles. He indicates continued
upgrades and improvements on the way for FURL, which will allow more
readable and easier interactions for customers. It would seem that
this is happening. The web services provider, LookSmart, has recently purchased FURL. This will allow
FURL many new features including the capability to search across all
public archives.
What
FURL means to IT
In
addition to what FURL means to practicing librarians, FURL also has
advantages for the IT department. One of the things that we’ve
always struggled with at CCPL is how to keep our web page content fresh,
using limited resources. Our normal workflow was to have subject specialist
librarians forward us web sites with annotations and we would then manually
update the subject specialist web pages. While taken individually these
updates did not present a problem, taken in aggregate, things tended
to backlog. With FURL, we’re able to have a truly distributed
publication process. We can add one line of JavaScript code to any web
page and have the FURL published and updated automatically. There is
also a style sheet that goes along with the FURL, so we have some capacity
to do automatic formatting. The people at FURL have told us that they
plan to implement more robust formatting possibilities in the future.
Another
aspect of FURL that is welcome to IT, is the
security angle. Since everything is stored on external servers, we don’t
have any issues of securing publication directories, or authenticating
staff to enter restricted areas. All the security is handled at the
FURL end and we’re able to let the librarians do what they do
best without having to track it in any way.
It
also allows us to easily explore new publication and dissemination technologies
such as RSS and Atom feeds without having to do anything on our end.
We in the IT department at CCPL are very much committed to trying out
new technologies, since the info sphere is constantly reconfiguring
itself in terms of how information is presented, and FURL gives us a
very easy way to do that.
Final Outcome
Where
this pilot will lead and how it will end is yet to be determined. This
will continue to be a work in progress and the Cuyahoga County Public
Library System looks forward to continued exploration of this exciting
new technology.
Book
Reviews
American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Women’s Health Care
Physicians. Encyclopedia of Women’s Health and Wellness.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2000.
568p. index. ISBN 0-915473-60-7 $19.00.
The Encyclopedia of Women’s
Health and Wellness is written and published by the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). Experts in the fields of
obstetrics and gynecology collaborated to provide scientifically-based
information to help women be proactive with their health. The work
is divided into four parts. Women’s Bodies provides an
overview over the life span. Topics covered are The Female Reproductive
System, The Male Reproductive System, The Reproductive Process, Puberty,
The Reproductive Years, Menopause, Health Care of Women 65 and Older,
and Sexuality. Women’s Wellness focuses on healthy life
style and routine care. Examples of topics include Breast Self-Exam,
Car Safety, Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Health Care Power
of Attorney, Lesbian Health, Nutrition, Pap Test, Smoking, and Weight
Control. The largest section, Women’s Health, covers
disorders, tests, and procedures. A variety of topics are included,
such as ablation, birth control, chlamydia,
diabetes and pregnancy, high blood pressure, loop electrosurgical excision
procedure (LEEP), polycystic ovary syndrome, sexual disorders, and vulvar cancer. The Resource section of the book discusses
finding health information including using the Internet and MEDLINE
(PubMed). It also lists books, health organizations, and hotlines,
as well as a glossary and index. There are extensive “see also”
references, as well as side bars which add important information to
the text. The illustrations, done in gray tone, are especially impressive.
They are straight-forward, realistic, and well-labeled. Although there
are other excellent resources on women’s health, the Encyclopedia
of Women’s Health and Wellness is comprehensive, easy-to-understand,
and is produced by the national organization whose main concern is women’s
health, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
Linda King, MLS, AHIP, Reference
Librarian, University of North Texas Health Science Center,
Fort Worth, Texas
Thase,
Michael E., M.D. and Lang, Susan S. Beating the Blues: New Approaches
to Overcoming Dysthymia and Chronic Mild Depression. Oxford University
Press, 2004. 174p. index. ISBN 0-19-515918-7. $23.00.
Dysthymia,
a mood disorder resulting in a mild chronic depression, is one of the
most common mental
health problems in the United States. Unlike those with major depression,
dysthymicindividuals
can still function, but often other problems develop from it such as
poor relationships,
divorce, and drug and alcohol abuse.
In Beating
the Blues, authors Thase and Lang
explain how dysthymia is diagnosed, what
causes it and who is at risk for developing it. This concise, easy-to-read
book takes a helpful,
hands-on approach that encourages sufferers to be proactive in dealing
with dysthymia.
It gives advice on things to do to feel better— for instance:
changing distorted thought
patterns to improve communication with others. Aspects of getting professional
help through psychotherapy
are discussed, including how to know if one needs professional
help and tips on how to choose a therapist. The book compares styles
of recommended therapy,
such as cognitive-behavioral therapy and psychoanalysis. Other
therapy methods discussed include medications, supplements, and how
exercise and nutrition
can help. Sections are also devoted to helping children, adolescents,
and the elderly who
suffer from dysthymia. Recommended for all
consumer health and public libraries.
Michael E.Thase, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry at the University of
Pittsburgh, also serves
as Chief of the Division of Adult Academic Psychiatry and Western Psychiatric
Institute and Clinic
in Pittsburgh. Susan S. Lang is Senior Science Writer at Cornell University
and author of 11 books and hundreds of magazine articles on health and
psychology.
Virginia Bender, Health Sciences
Library, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.
Chang,
David F., M.D. and Gimbel, Howard, M.D. Cataracts: A Patient's Guide to Treatment.
Addicus Books, Inc., 2004. 124p. index. ISBN
1-886039-66-6. $14.95.
Cataracts are a common cause
of vision loss in people over age fifty. The eye's lens is usually
clear, but with cataracts, the lens gets hazy and lets less light through.
This results in cloudy sight, faded colors, and difficulty with ordinary
tasks of daily living. Modern techniques have made cataract surgery
a safe, effective treatment option. This book is an educational guide
for people who are considering, or will undergo, cataract surgery.
This portable paperback has
nine brief chapters with numerous black and white illustrations. The
first half of the book explains how cataracts form, how they are diagnosed,
the types of replacement lenses, and the latest techniques of cataract
surgery. Subsequent chapters suggest questions to ask the doctor, outline
pre and post surgery events, and detail the patient's expected course
of recovery. The book includes an annotated resource list with current
contact information, a glossary of technical terms, and a cross-referenced
index.
The text reinforces the authors'
optimistic message, that an informed patient, a skilled surgeon, and
reasonable expectations, are the ingredients for successful treatment
of cataracts.
The authors are experienced
practitioners and teachers. Dr. Chang is Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology
at UC San Francisco. Dr. Gimbel is Professor and Chair of the Ophthalmology Department
at Loma Linda University in California.
According to the SMOG readability
assessment, the material is written at the twelfth grade level. Public,
patient education and retirement community libraries would find this
a worthwhile purchase for their collection, and a complement to other
eye care books such as Mayo Clinic on Vision and Eye Health.
Susan
Sanders, Robert M. Bird Library, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences
Center, Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma
Bruey,
Carolyn Thorwarth. Demystifying Autism
Spectrum Disorders: A Guide to Diagnosis for Parents and Professionals.
Woodbine House, 2004. 241 p. index. ISBN 1-890627-34-8. $16.95.
This book in the Topics in
Autism series describes the behavior-based diagnostic evaluations of
five types of autism spectrum disorders: autistic disorder, Asperger’s
disorder, childhood disintegrative disorder, Rett’s
disorder, and pervasive developmental disorder-not otherwise specified
(PDD-NOS). Chapters also briefly address theories of causation, the
process of obtaining a diagnosis and treatment plan, co-morbidities
and other diagnoses which might fall into the differential but outside
the autism spectrum, commonly used tests, parents’ emotional responses
to the diagnosis, and an overview of treatments. The author is a managing
partner of Developmental Disabilities Resources in Lititz, PA, and has
contributed to several books. Dr. Bruey’s
book does help the layperson understand diagnostic criteria and offers
specific examples of autistic behaviors, but with a twelfth grade reading
level. More attentive editing would have improved clumsy prose and
errors of grammar and spelling. Regrettably, Dr. Bruey
recommends the Internet frequently but never mentions consumer health
libraries as a source of information. Autism Spectrum Disorders,
by Mitzi Waltz (Patient-Centered Guides, 2002), gives a more comprehensive
list of test instruments, differential diagnoses, and treatment options,
but lacks the convenient tables for DSM-IV diagnostic criteria. Quirky
Kids, by Perri Klass
and Eileen Costello (Ballantine Books, 2003),
helps parents understand a wider variety of undiagnosed neuro-behavioral
disorders.
Brenda
R. Pfannenstiel, MALS, MA, Kreamer
Family Resource Center,,Children’s Mercy
Hospitals & Clinics, Kansas City MO
Lehman,
Thomas J., M.D. It’s Not Just Growing Pains: a Guide to Childhood
Muscle, Bone, and Joint Pain, Rheumatic Diseases, and the Latest Treatments.
Oxford University Press, 2004. 416p. ISBN 0-19-515728-1.
Most
of us think of arthritis as a disease that affects senior citizens,
but over 300,000 children in the United States suffer from some form
of arthritis or rheumatic disease. Dr. Thomas J. Lehman, Senior Scientist
and Chief, Division of Pediatric Rheumatology at the Hospital for Special
Surgery, is on the faculty of Weill Medical
College of Cornell University. He has written a useful guide for parents
and those who care for children with these diseases.
The
book explains how physicians diagnose diseases causing pain in bones
and joints. Dr. Lehman discusses juvenile arthritis, spondyloarthropathies,
Lyme Disease, systemic lupus erythematosus,
Sjogren’s syndrome, and Kawasaki Disease.
He also covers scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, and fibromyalgia.
In addition to explaining the disease processes and potential complications,
he discusses the latest medical and surgical treatments, the role of
alternative medicine, and laboratory and diagnostic tests.
The
author provides a wealth of information about these conditions and offers
support for patients and their families by giving them information about
obtaining the best care, dealing with schools, handling inquiries from
friends, neighbors, and the public, and dealing with the stress of having
a chronically ill family member. A glossary and a list of resources
complete the book.
There
is little available on this subject and the author encourages readers
who have questions about the content to ask for further explanation
from their physicians. He also tells them to get involved in organizations
that do research and provide support for children with arthritis. Although
the reading level is high, this is a valuable book that belongs in all
consumer health collections.
Barbara
M. Bibel, Oakland Public Library, Oakland, CA.
Planning
your Pregnancy and Birth,
Third Edition. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists,
2000. 469p. illus. index. ISBN 0-915473-56-9
Written "with the collective
knowledge of 40,000 experts in obstetrics", the American College
of Obstetricians and Gynecologists say that this book is the official
guide to pregnancy and birth. The book covers reproduction, pregnancy,
prenatal/postpartum care and labor/delivery and includes a pregnancy
diary, resource list and charts for calculating due dates and understanding
key nutrients in pregnancy. Illustrations and photos demonstrate fetus
growth, diapering and other topics. The book covers many topics, but
does not cover burping, home birth, waterbirth
or midwives. It also seems odd that multiple birth is included in the
chapter "Complications of Pregnancy". Hopefully a fourth
edition can address these issues, as the book has a lot to offer. This
book is also available in Spanish.
Cara Helfner,
Program Manager, Kessler Health Education Library, Brigham and Women's
Hospital
Centeno,
Arthur and Gary Onik. Prostate Cancer:
A Patient's Guide to Treatment. Addicus
Books, 2004. 164p. index. ISBN 1-886039-69-0. $14.95.
Written
by prostate specialists Drs. Arthur Centeno
and Gary Onik, the book introduces readers
to the concepts of prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment. The traditional
forms of therapy - surgery, radiation, chemotherapy and hormone therapy
are covered extensively, focusing on delivery methods, treatment and
side effect/follow up issues. Profiled anatomy diagrams effectively
illustrate and explain the relation of the treatment to areas in and
around the prostate gland. A unique element within this book is the
inclusion of a newer treatment option - cryoablation.
The American Urological Association has promoted cryoablation
as a standard form of treatment in 2002 and Dr. Onik,
the book's co-author is considered a leader in this field. The book
does an excellent job outlining the history, process, advantages and
disadvantages of cryoablation while establishing patient criteria for this
type of treatment. Appendices provide a useful summary of 13 different
treatment options for prostate cancer which include definitions as well
as the advantages and disadvantages for each. Logically laid out with
an easy reading style, this book would be a welcome addition to any
consumer health or patient education collection.
Michelle Arbuckle, Librarian,
Patient Education, Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON
Blank,
Joani (ed.). Still Doing It: Women & Men Over 60 Write
About Their Sexuality. San Francisco: Down There Press, 2000.
ISBN 0-940208-27-X. 198 pages. $12.50.
Joani
Blank, sex educator and author, conceived this anthology as she approached
her own sixtieth birthday. She wondered about the sexual experiences
of folks in their sixties, seventies and eighties – nobody she
knew seemed to be talking about it! So she began soliciting these stories
by real people, talking about their lives and relationships, what they
actually do sexually and what it means to them. The authors encompass
the full diversity of sexual orientation, marital status, relationship
type, and preferred activities. A few are celibate, a few claim to have
sex practically every day, and most are in-between. Some have health
problems with differing degrees of disability. Their writing style and
quality varies tremendously as well – some are short and matter
of fact, others long and descriptive. They range from sweet and loving
to hysterically funny.
Our culture abounds with
media images of sexual activity, most of it restricted to the young
and beautiful. Our educational materials on sexually transmitted diseases
feature young adults, as if older folks aren’t at risk. Older
men get paired with younger women in all the movies, leaving few romantic
lead roles for older women. The punch line of many cartoons and jokes
depends upon the assumption that older folks don’t "do it"
anymore. This book counters these stereotypes.
I see a variety of audiences
for this book. Older folks who wonder if they’re alone in their
continued enjoyment of sex will get validation. Younger folks who think
that age automatically means the death of the libido will find ample
evidence to disabuse them of that notion. People who are concerned that
heart attacks, strokes, arthritis, or other health problems may adversely
affect their sexuality can find information and reassurance. And just
about anyone who enjoys learning about the diversity of human sexuality
will find something of interest here.
Highly recommended for any
collection that includes information on sexual health.
Eris Weaver, Redwood Health
Library, Petaluma, CA
Blank,
Joani. A Kid’s First Book about Sex. San Francisco:
Yes Press, 1989. 48 p. ISBN 0940208075. $6.00.
Most
books about sex for children focus primarily on the reproductive process
and neglect issues of sexuality. A Kid’s First Book about Sex
is different, sensitively discussing facts and feelings associated with
body image, nudity, body parts, touching, sexual intercourse, masturbation,
privacy, and sexual partners. Numerous open-ended questions placed throughout
the text help young readers relate to this new information. Aimed at
children ages 7-12, this publication can be read to younger children
who are becoming curious about their bodies.
Author
Joani Blank, sex educator and mother, has designed this book
to help parents communicate openly and easily with young children about
their bodies and feelings. Simple, yet accurate language, combined with
light-hearted line drawings by Marcia Quackenbush,
assist children in understanding new concepts.
Originally
published by Down There Press in 1983, the 1989 edition reviewed here
has new, full-color cover art by Barbara Reid. An interactive workbook
version titled The Playbook for Kids about Sex is also available
from the publishers.
Dee
Jones, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Shreveport,
Louisiana
Draznin,
B. The Thinking Person’s Guide to Diabetes : The Draznin
Plan. Oxford University Press, 2003. ISBN: 0195167406. $24.95
The scientific basis of the
book is very accurate - there is no doubt that Dr. Draznin is an expert in the field. There are realistic goals
for exercise, an important factor in any diabetic’s daily routine,
that are well developed and progress at a pace that is achievable. In
addition, his discussion of obesity is up-to-date and thorough. The
case studies/stories told are somewhat dry; it’s not certain they
would keep the diabetic reader involved in the book. Couple that with
many “Draznin Rules” - maybe too
many rules – and this book may not be able to influence the behavior
changes needed in a diabetic person. Diabetes is not a simple disease
to handle, but too many rules may turn off diabetics who are having
a tough time accepting their plight. It bothered me that he downgrades
general practitioners that are taking care of diabetic patients. The
book does not seem any better than many other books written on diabetes.
This book belongs in a collection that already includes a number of
diabetic books, because it is good to offer a variety of materials.
In a small/limited collection, I would not highly recommend it.
Sharon A. Lezotte
The
Stanford Health Video Library.
Stanford Hospital and Clinics. $29.95/ea VHS and DBD available. 1-888-232-0439.
The Stanford Hospital and
Clinics offer lectures on common health problems and diseases for the
public. These are taped and available for purchase as either DVDs or
VHS tapes. The length varies from approximately thirty to sixty minutes
and the format is talking head with PowerPoint. The presenters are clinicians
affiliated with Stanford. They know their subjects well, but the lectures
are aimed at a fairly sophisticated audience. Consumers who are not
comfortable with medical terminology and clinical studies will be lost
when watching some of the lectures.
Currently available titles
are:
Living Better with Arthritis.
Kate Lorig, Ph.D., director of the Patient Education Research Center
and co-author of The Arthritis Helpbook,
tells patients what they can do to remain active and reduce the pain
associated with arthritis. This lecture is very accessible and full
of useful, practical information.
The Runner’s Foot.
James Ratcliff, DPM, a podiatrist at the Menlo Medical Clinic and an
active runner, explains the common injuries and ailments that can make
it difficult for runners to pursue their sport. He also discusses treatment
options. The explanations are very clear, but the treatments are so
similar that it gets a bit repetitive.
Heart Disease and South
Asians: A Population at Risk.
Drs. Gerald Reaven and Meenakshi Aggarwal, of the Stanford
University School of Medicine discuss the relationship of insulin resistance
to Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in South Asians. This
is a detailed presentation of epidemiological research geared to health
professionals. All but the most sophisticated lay viewers will be lost.
Shots of the audience here caught a few sleepers!
Recognizing
Adolescent Depression.
Dr. Kirti Saxena
of the Stanford Child and Adolescent Outpatient Clinic discusses the
signs and symptoms of depression in children and adolescents as well
as the effects of the disease on social, academic, and family life.
She explains the various kinds of therapies and drugs used to treat
it. The intended audience is families, but the presentation is at a
clinical medical level. Families comfortable with information at this
level will find it useful.
Advances in Weight Loss
Surgery. Dr. John
Morton, Director of Bariatric Surgery at Stanford
Hospital and Clinics, explains the various types of surgical treatment
for morbid obesity in adults and children. He explains the risks and
the lifestyle changes necessary for successful outcomes.
I’m Sorry, Can You
Repeat That? Understanding Hearing Loss and How Emerging Technology
will Revolutionized Its Care.
Dr. Robert K. Jackler, professor and chairman,
Stanford Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Department, provides clear
explanations of how the ear works and the various types of hearing loss.
He also discusses the different kinds of hearing aids available and
how to choose the best one for one’s condition. His presentation
includes a fascinating look at current research and how it will help
those with hearing loss.
Barbara M. Bibel, Oakland
Public Library, Oakland, CA.
Tai
Chi in a Chair.
DVD. 40 min. Health Media Productions. ISBN: 0-9746825-0-0. $29.95.
Tai Chi, a Chinese exercise
method, uses gentle movement to increase flexibility, improve balance,
and reduce pain. It is a good way for those with limited mobility or
those who spend most of the day seated at a desk to relax and rejuvenate
the body. This DVD with instructor Cindy Mason, an oriental medicine
practitioner, takes viewers through a routine of movements for the arms,
legs, back, and chest. It also covers Japanese self-care acupressure
and provides documentation for current research about the use of Tai
Chi in medical care. Although it is a low-budget production, this video
offers useful information for those who want to incorporate Tai Chi
into their fitness regimen. It will work best as a supplement to a class
or book with more detailed instructions, but can stand alone for more
sophisticated users.
Barbara
M. Bibel, Oakland Public Library, Oakland, CA.
Publication
Information
Statement
Consumer Connections
(ISSN 1535-7821) is the newsletter of the Consumer
and Patient Information Section of the Medical LibraryAssociation and
is published quarterly.
Content for each issue is
cumulated online at http://caphis.mlanet.org/newsletter,
primarily during the first two months of the quarter; the issue is considered
complete at the end of the quarter. Notification of publication is sent
quarterly via the CAPHIS listserv. Newsletter articles and book reviews
are copyrighted; please contact the editor for reprint permission.
Submissions
Please submit items for Consumer
Connections during the third quarter for publication in the following
quarter.
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Please send submissions in
electronic format to the editors:
Howard Fuller
E -mail: howard.fuller@medcenter.stanford.edu
Telephone: (650) 725-3308
or
Nancy Dickenson
E -mail: nancy.dickenson@medcenter.stanford.edu
Telephone: (650) 725-8100
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