USING PUBLIC LIBRARIES TO DISSEMINATE POISON PREVENTION MESSAGE

Objective: To determine a simple and cost-effective way for a regional poison center's public education department to reach a state population with information concerning National Poison Prevention Week and year-round poison center services. Method: We designed four bookmarks each with a different poison prevention message. At the beginning of February we distributed 200 bookmarks, along with one National Poison Prevention Week poster to each public library in the state. In early May we mailed each library a questionnaire to (1) determine how many distributed and posted our materials, and (2) obtain feedback on the librarians' perceptions of the project's effectiveness. Results: Fifty-one percent (167) of 326 libraries responded to our questionnaire. Of the respondents, 94% (157) reported the bookmarks had been distributed to patrons during National Poison Prevention Week. Ninety-one percent (153) felt the bookmarks were an effective way of letting people know about both the poison center and National Poison Prevention Week. Forty-three percent (72) thought too many bookmarks had been mailed. Forty-four percent (74) thought the number of bookmarks had been sufficient and 8% (14) thought the number had been too small. Sixty-three percent (106) had displayed the poster on one of their bulletin boards and 28% (47) had not. Ninety-seven percent (163) noted that they would like to receive similar materials in the future and 3% (4) indicated they would not. Based on our daily statistics, there had been an actual increase in the number of calls to the poison center during the month of March, including more than the expected number of requests to our public education department for materials and information. Conclusion: Distribution of bookmarks via the public library system appeared to be a successful way to both educate and inform the public about National Poison Prevention Week and the availability of our statewide poison center and its services.
Cropley J, Gibson J, Christoff D, Bobbink S, Robertson WO. Washington Poison Center, Seattle, [...]