1. This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. N01-LM-6-3503 with the University of Illinois at Chicago. Empowering Change Through Health Information Access National Network of Libraries of Medicine Authors: Dana Abbey, Siobhan Champ-Blackwell & Jacqueline Leskovec Address National Network of Libraries of Medicine: http://nnlm.gov National Library of Medicine: http://nlm.nih.gov National Network of Libraries of Medicine The mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine® (NN/LM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health. The Network consist of over 5,000 medical, health, public and special libraries and information centers, including community organizations across the U.S. Greater Midwest Region: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin MidContinental Region: Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Utah, Wyoming Middle Atlantic Region: Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania New England Region: Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont Pacific Northwest Region: Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington Pacific Southwest Region: Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, U.S. Territories in the Pacific Basin South Central Region: Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas Southeastern/Atlantic Region: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina. South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands National Network of Libraries of Medicine Inclusiveness of Outreach Minority-Serving Institutions Strengthen the Capacity of Minority Communities Use of Cultural Communication Methods Information Infrastructure and Communications Capabilities Collaborations and Partnerships Several dedicated health information computers were installed to enhance access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health information on the Internet for immigrant and refugee populations in the greater Chicago area. Health promoters from several community-based mutual aid associations learned how to search for, evaluate and provide access to health information Communities included: Bosnian, Cambodian, Chinese, Ethiopian, Laotian, Pan-African and Vietnamese Increase the scope of health information and outreach services to include cultural, psychological, behavioral, social, gender-based and environmental influences. Classes include: Getting Started with Information Outreach in Minority Communities Caring for the Mind: Providing Mental Health Information at Your Library Let's talk about Sex. Sexual Health Resources Colorado-based Spanish Peaks Public Library and the Huerfano Counties Health Department collaborating on a project designed to promote positive health practices and well being. Kansas-based Lawrence Public Library partnership with the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, Douglas County Emergency Management, the University of Kansas Research and Training Center on Independent Living, and Together Prepared to improve access to disaster information. Colorado-based partnership between the Grillo Health Information Center and the Boulder West Senior Center to collaborate on a project to increase health information literacy. Community Partnerships Project Hard Rock, AZ Alaska Telemedicine Project Improve the information infrastructure and communications capabilities of minority communities Training in use of technology including social networking tools Providing funding to assist under connected libraries to improve their connectivity Employ communication methods that are racially and culturally sensitive and appropriate Presentations at conferences with a focus on racial and ethnic concerns Development of brochures in other languages or with racial/ethnic health concern topics RML staff are members of ALA ethnic caucuses Panel at Joint Conference of Librarians of Color Kids to College Library Enrichment Program-Worcester Art Museum, MA Health Promoter, Pan-African Association, Chicago, IL National Network of Libraries of Medicine http://nnlm.gov/ 1-800-338-7657 1-800- DEV-ROKS National Library of Medicine http://nlm.nih.gov/ Tribal Library College Institute Bozeman, MT The NN/LM works to improve library infrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, and Latino-serving learning institutions : Installing and updating hardware and software Providing training at minority library conferences Funding projects