Libraries Help Communities in Crisis KATE FLEWELLING, MLIS NATIONAL NETWORK OF LIBRARIES OF MEDICINE, MIDDLE ATLANTIC REGION NEW YORK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION, LAKE PLACID, NY 10/22/15

National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) Mission ◦Provide health professionals and the general public with equal access to biomedical information Coordinated by the National Library of Medicine Services  Promote NLM resources  Provide training  Fund health information projects  Consult on proposed outreach efforts

Who we serve ◦ Health Professionals ◦ Medical Libraries – hospital and other ◦ Public Libraries ◦ Academic Libraries ◦ Community-Based Organizations ◦ Faith-Based Organizations ◦ You! Emphasis on underserved, underrepresented groups

Baltimore “Our CEO called and asked my opinion about whether we should open. Neither of us hesitated – we wanted to open. Nothing else was open in our area, but it was important for us to be there.” Melanie Townsend Diggs, Pennsylvania Avenue branch Quote Images from PBS and MTV

Public Libraries after Sandy 5 Images: Flickr users Adam Melancon, Moore Memorial Public Library,Adam Melancon Moore Memorial Public Library Caldwell Public Library

Leningrad Public Library

Interview with Scott Bonner (interview at 9:24)

What libraries have  Computers  WiFi  Electrical Outlets  Conference rooms/meeting spaces  Customer-service mentality  Knowledge of the community  Credibility  Normalcy  Expertise in finding information  Willingness to partner  “Essential community services” (Stafford Act)

And a built-in information-seeking audience! Photos: Flickr users Clearwater Public Library, Hurstville City Library, Museum & GalleryClearwater Public LibraryHurstville City Library, Museum & Gallery Facebook page Whitehall Public LibraryWhitehall Public Library

Disaster Information Management Research Center

Integration of the Free Library of Philadelphia as Public Health Preparedness and Response Partner (Philadelphia Department of Public Health)  Library staff training  Medical Reserve Corps training  Personal preparedness training  Dispense Assist

Teaching Children Disaster Safety with Disaster Hero (Lodi Memorial Library, NJ)

Disaster Health Information Outreach and Collaboration Project 2015 (RFQ No. NIHLM ) Due July 9 $15,000 - $30,000

National Network of Libraries of Medicine

Disaster Information Resources MAR oversees an Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan to help network members maintain their services when a disaster hits Call DEV-ROKS ( ) to notify MAR if your organization is impacted by a disaster or emergency NN/LM Disaster Ready Initiative Promotes disaster planning in libraries and serves as a resource for local communities and the nationDisaster Ready Initiative NLM Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC) Provides access to quality disaster health information at all stages, including disaster appsDisaster Information Management Research Center apps

MedlinePlus

Disaster Information Management Research Center

NN/LM MAR Funding Health Information Awareness Professional Development Outreach to Consumers Outreach to Health Professionals Technology Improvement Emergency Preparedness / Library Partnership Funding reopens Spring 2016

Integration of the Free Library of Philadelphia as Public Health Preparedness and Response Partner (Philadelphia Department of Public Health)  Library staff training  Medical Reserve Corps training  Personal preparedness training  Dispense Assist

Teaching Children Disaster Safety with Disaster Hero (Lodi Memorial Library, NJ)

Other ideas Workshops for library staff on preparedness and continuity of operations Training for patrons from community partners Developing targeted outreach for vulnerable populations—homebound, seniors, kids Developing partnerships with local schools, EMS, health departments, others

Who can you partner with? Who are your current partners that you can work with?

Public Libraries and First Responders: Partners in Emergency Response

Get involved with NN/LM MAR Sign your library up for membershipmembership Sign up for our Weekly PostingsWeekly Postings Check out our resources and services to librarieslibraries

Thank You! 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. HHS-N C with the University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System. Kate Flewelling, MLIS National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region 25