1. Health corners in Slovene public libraries: results of the pilot project
We would like to report on the promising results of the pilot project “Public
Libraries for Public Health” which finished with establishment “health corners” in
two public libraries in Slovenia: Public Library Oton Župančič and Public Library
Mirana Jarca, Novo mesto. “Health Corner” in public libraries offers a new and more
systematic approach to providing better health information service to the users. Their
needs are met successfully by a collection of trustful consumer health resources and
occasional help from librarians or health professionals trained in information
searching and information delivery.
“Health corners” started to operate in 2012. They are equipped by a table, a chair, a
computer and some health related material as can be seen from the enclosed photos.
Libraries promoted “health corners” with printed brochures and releases on the library
portal. A health professional has started work in corners two hours a week in order to
help users locate the appropriate information resources for their problems.
Starting a new task is always a challenge. It was difficult to attract people who need
help in finding health information. Users usually do not pay attention to notices
on the walls or brochures because they are focused on their specific needs and
do not expect such a service in the library. However, users who have discovered
“the health corners “and discussed their needs for health information with a
trained librarian or the health professional were very satisfied. Users seemed to
find very useful information which can be accessed on the at portals NIH, NHS,
MedlinePlus, EMA etc. because they have difficulties in finding quality and
reliable information by their own. They were pleasantly surprised when they
learned that the health information resources are available in Slovenian
language on the Central Medical Library portal in the collection Health for All
http://www.mf.uni-lj.si/cmk/zdravje-za-vse.
We plan to continue with the training courses on searching for health
information, where we want to attract more public librarians and health
professionals.
Anamarija Rožić, Central Medical Library, University of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Vilenka Jakac-Bizjak, Public Library Oton Župančič, City Library Ljubljana,
Slovenia
Andreja Moškon, Public Library Mirana Jarca, Novo mesto, Slovenia
Nada Tržan-Herman, Co-ordinator of a project

2. 1.
Public library -
Mestna knjižnica Ljubljana
Health corner:

3. 2.
Public library -
Knjižnica Mirana Jarca, Novo mesto
Health corner: