Consumer health information services at Iowa City Public Library

Library Trends, Wntr, 2005 by Candice Smith, Kara Logsden, Maeve Clark

ABSTRACT

IOWA CITY PUBLIC LIBRARY RECENTLY COMPLETED an eighteen-month consumer health project entitled Expanding Access to Consumer Health Electronic Resources in Iowa City and Rural Johnson County, Iowa. This project included health-related computer classes, demonstrations, and programs and was funded by the National Library of Medicine through a subcontract with the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region. The Iowa City Public Library project built on the work completed by the Iowa Consumer Health Information Project, an earlier subcontract also funded by the National Library of Medicine. The Expanding Access project was an overall success. Project goals were met while patrons and staff increased knowledge and skills using electronic consumer health resources.

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PROJECT PLANNING

Library Strategic Plan, Mission and Vision

The Iowa City Public Library's (ICPL) Strategic Plan guided project planning. The library's strategic plans run for five-year periods, and project planning began shortly after adopting a strategic plan set to begin July 1, 2000. Many individuals, including community members, board members, and ICPL staff, created the library's strategic plan. The strategic planning process emphasized visioning for exemplary programs and services that respond to identified needs in the community. From this process, the mission and vision for the library was created.

Library Mission

The Iowa City Public Library is an innovative, dynamic resource central to sustaining and encouraging a literate and informed citizenry. The library reflects and responds to the community and is committed to

* Equal accessibility for a diverse population

* Intellectual Freedom

* Life-long learning beginning with the young child

* Enhancement of cultural and leisure activities

Library Vision

The Iowa City Public Library will be the best choice for information, quality collections, outstanding programs, and exceptional service. The library will be a trusted civic, cultural, social, and learning center and a welcoming place for relaxation, the exchange of ideas, and interaction among people.

Strategic Plan Goals Support a Consumer Health Project

The Strategic Plan provided a framework for project planning. Specific goals and objectives related to a consumer health project include

Collections and Programs: Offer collections and programs that reflect community interests and support the library's mission

* Provide excellent print and audiovisual collections

* Offer adult and young adult programs

* Increase programming on The Library Channel

Community Relations: Build community knowledge, pride, and support for the free public library

* Utilize media and strategic partnerships to maintain a highly visible and positive institutional profile

* Encourage regional and interjurisdictional collaboration

Accessibility: Improve access to the library, information, materials, services, and programs

* Be at the forefront in the use of technology related to information retrieval and delivery

* Make technology accessible through well-trained staff and regular user education

* Reach out to those who cannot or do not come to the library

A Tradition of Outreach Services

The Iowa City Public Library has a strong tradition of exemplary outreach services to organizations within our community that serve at-risk populations. These include twenty-two outreach sites throughout the city and county, located in retirement residences, residential facilities for persons with mental or developmental disabilities, a senior center, neighborhood centers, a domestic violence shelter, and a chemical dependency residential treatment center. The library provides outreach collections at these locations because individuals who utilize the services often are unable to personally visit the library.

Identification and Description of Target Population

The target population included the Iowa City metropolitan area and rural Johnson County, Iowa. This geographic area was selected because the Iowa City Public Library serves Iowa Cit,, residents, area city residents through Iowa's Open Access program, and rural Johnson County residents by contract with the Johnson County Board of Supervisors. The target populations include

Patrons who seek consumer health information in person at the Iowa City Public Library

* Iowa City Public Library serves a population of 62,220 residents of Iowa City and 17,400 residents of rural Johnson County.

* Iowa City Public Library serves the nonacademic information and recreational needs of the 29,000 students at the University of Iowa.

* In fiscal year 1999 ICPL's Information Desk staff responded to 42,908 questions patrons asked in person, 19,723 telephone requests, 673 questions while representing the library in the community, and 128 fax requests. Although specific data is not collected, up to 10 percent of these questions are related to health information.

* Many residents of Johnson County towns including Coralville, North Liberty, Oxford, and Solon also utilize Iowa City Public Library's collections, services, and Web page.