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In 2019, the Florida Health Sciences Library Association (FHSLA) and the Tampa Bay Library Consortium, Inc. (TBLC) joined together to increase awareness of reliable vetted health information resources for Florida residents. FHSLA, composed of approximately 75 academic/health sciences/hospital librarians, contacted TBLC, composed of public librarians and various library personnel in Florida, to explore opportunities for their members to work together and network through monthly health-focused webinars. This article describes their collaborative initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2020 the Health Science Center Libraries (HSCL) at the University of Florida collaborated with the Okeechobee County Public library (OCPL) on their plan to install Little Free Libraries (LFLs) within their community. It was agreed that the HSCL would provide consumer health-related materials for the Little Free Libraries and training with the goal of improving health literacy, precision medicine, and increasing rural access to consumer health materials and services. Case Presentation: Using census data, the County Health Improvement Plan, and OCPL circulation data the team identified minority population groups, potential accessibility issues, and local consumer health information needs and barriers to select appropriate resources. Additionally, partnerships were created with the local Health Department, Parks and Recreation services, the Rotary Club, and other local organizations to make the project a success. A total of 424 books were selected for the LFLs and 40 unique online resources were selected, printed, and shipped to OCPL to be used during LFL reference sessions. Technology was purchased to assist OCPL with their planned community health reference outreach sessions. HSCL created and provided online training on facilitating consumer health outreach, conducting health information reference services, and promoting community engagement for OCPL. Discussion: LFLs have become an important resource for lower-income rural families in Okeechobee. There are 7 LFLs in Okeechobee County, with a goal of eventually establishing 15 total to provide vital health resources and books. Over 2,456 items have been circulated among the 7 LFLs since May 2020. Overall, the project has been successful with positive feedback received from the community and with OCPL planning to continue to expand the project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural communities experience health disparities that are exacerbated by barriers to reliable health information. This column recommends resources and strategies to increase the accessibility, awareness, and use of authoritative health information for individuals residing in rural areas and for organizations serving rural populations. Several health information needs assessment tools, community outreach materials, and consumer health websites are highlighted, including the Rural Health Information Hub, Cultivate Safety, and the Rural Community Toolbox. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At an academic health science center, librarians partnered with a community research engagement program to offer a suite of consumer health information services. The services included training staff in the use of online consumer health resources, purchasing a print collection of monographs, and creating a guide to both the online and print resources for staff use. Focus groups were conducted to assess information needs, and the workshop attendees’ online health information competency was assessed presession and postsession. This article details planning and intervention efforts, and proposes future activities to meet the information needs of HealthStreet and its clients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]