Kathy Silks, Project Manager, PA Forward, Pennsylvania Library Association

PA Forward: Libraries Create Healthier Communities

Libraries power Pennsylvania’s progress.

Libraries prepare citizens to meet the demands of life.

THIS WEBINAR WILL ADDRESS:

• PA Forward’s working model

• The importance of health literacy

• How libraries help Pennsylvanians make healthier decisions

• How partnerships can boost your reach and impact

• Library resources and how to connect with them

• How you can (and can’t) use the PA Forward model

• Your questions and ideas

BUILDING A COLLECTIVE VOICE FOR LIBRARIES

• Training libraries to communicate their value and strengthen their community outreach

• Working with 34 statewide partners to create opportunities for libraries and reach new audiences

• Framing efforts to increase thought leaders’ understanding of and appreciation for the 21st century library

Libraries can help solve some of Pennsylvania’s biggest economic and social challenges through their

• print and online resources• public programs• community outreach services• information experts

How libraries help Pennsylvanians make healthier decisions

OutreachLibraries serve all generations and are especially popular with older adults and families with children. These are target populations needing access to health care information.

Accessibility Open many hours including evenings and weekends. Libraries are available without appointments and are free. Most libraries offer space for meetings and are a comfortable venue for programs.

Authority and DependabilityLibraries are respected and known for providing reliable and dependable information.

KnowledgeMost libraries are eager to provide programs, displays, and promotional materials for the benefit of the community. In addition to community related programs and materials, libraries work diligently to maintain up to date materials and e-resources.

Pennsylvania libraries at work promoting health literacy and healthy living

Healthy Kids FairReading Public Library (Reading, PA)Project Coordinator: Jeanette Argentohttp://www.reading.lib.pa.us/contactus.asp

Free Developmental ScreeningsSchlow Centre Region Library (State College, PA)Project Coordinator: Anita Ditzhttp://www.schlowlibrary.org/

Consumer Health Library and ongoing health education programsBosler Memorial Library (Carlisle, PA)Project Coordinator: Cate Mellenhttp://www.cumberlandcountylibraries.org/?q=BOS

Out of the Shadows: The Library as a Center of Mental Health LiteracyLackawanna County Library System (Scranton, PA) The Commonwealth Medical College (Scranton, PA)Project Coordinators: Bridget Conologue, TCMC; Joanne Muellenbach, TCMC; Mary Garm, LCLS; Susan Jeffery, LCLS; Martina Soden, LCLS.http://www.thecommonwealthmedical.com/oth/Page.asp?PageID=OTH000031http://lclshome.org/

Nursing Research RoundtableMessiah College (Grantham, PA)Project Coordinator: Beth Transue, MLS METhttp://www.messiah.edu/murraylibrary/http://libguides.messiah.edu/content.php?pid=274222&sid=2271908

Family Health and Safety FairBellwood-Antis Public LibraryProject Coordinator: Hazel Bilka, Directorhttp://tome.bapl.lib.pa.us/default.aspx

Food FunIndiana Free Library (Indiana, PA)Project Coordinator: Joanne Masthttp://www.indianafreelibrary.org/

Building health literacy through partnerships:

• American Academy of Pediatrics, Pennsylvania Chapter• Center for Rural Pennsylvania• Giant Food Stores• The Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania• National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region• Pennsylvania Department of Education / Office of Commonwealth Libraries• Pennsylvania Department of Health• Pfizer

Introduction to PA Forward’s Health Literacy Partners

• One-on-one help

• POWER Library: Consumer Health Complete http://web.b.ebscohost.com/chc/search?sid=49f01798-dc15-417e-9a73-51c7633fd6ae%40sessionmgr115&vid=1&hid=114

• MedlinePlus: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/

Resources Available from Libraries and Librarians

• POWER Libraryhttp://www.powerlibrary.org/

• WorldCat https://www.worldcat.org/libraries

• Pennsylvania Department Education Library Directoryhttp://www.libdir.ed.state.pa.us/Screens/wfLibrarySearch.aspx

• Consumer Health Libraries in Pennsylvania

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/libraries/pennsylvania.html

How to Connect with Libraries

Q&A – Let’s talk!

Libraries create healthier communities.

For more information:

www.paforward.org

Kathy Silks / PA Library Association / kathy@palibraries.org / 717-766-7663