Library Corner: EALD provides for a healthy dose of knowledge

A current ad campaign stemming from the partnership of the American Library Association and the National Institutes of Health states, “Because librarians know information is the best medicine for healthcare questions,” and East Adams Library District couldn’t agree more.

Access to current and reliable health information is imperative for the well-being of not only individuals but communities as well. While never a substitute for a professional medical opinion, libraries have become the go-to place for assistance in navigating complex issues such as medical conditions and/or diseases, health insurance, prescription medications, surgical procedures, general physician and hospital information, aging and more. And soon, our library will be even more prepared to help its patrons obtain current and accurate health information as well as to help the community connect to health and social services.

In May, East Adams Library District was selected as a recipient of the ‘All of Us Health Literacy Outreach Award’ from the Pacific Northwest Region of the National Networks of Libraries of Medicine. This award, totaling just shy of $19,000, will allow our library to provide current, unbiased health information along with access to services for all of our constituents in a variety of ways.

One of the first things we’ve done as part of this project is to create the program “Access Health at East Adams,” an evening event for adults on the last Thursday of the month focusing on different health topics affecting our community. In May we welcomed Emily Richman, a licensed mental health counselor, to speak about mental health and anxiety. In June, we had a cohosted book discussion with guest Maeve Griffith about LGTBQIA+ health and awareness.

This evening, July 25 at 6 p.m. in the library basement, we will be hosting Ted Chauvin, PhD, a professor from the WSU Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine for a presentation on the topic of ‘Genetics and Your Health.’ This presentation will give a brief overview of what genetics encompasses, how your genes affect your current and future health, and what you can do to research your family health history.

The funding we received will also allow us to create a “Health and Social Services” computer workstation dedicated to connecting users to health information websites such as MedlinePlus, the trusted health database provided by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, Washington Health Plan Finder for health insurance and Medicaid information, and other various websites to connect users to social services such as assistance for housing, jobs, and food. Watch for more details about this workstation coming soon.

Another aim of this project is to grow and improve our collection of books and other materials on various health and medical topics as well as train library staff on various health-related databases and websites so we can better assist people at the new Health and Social Services computer workstation.

The library does not provide medical advice, nor are the materials we provide a substitute for a professional medical opinion. But we will always strive to provide our community, friends and neighbors with the information and assistance they seek. If information truly is the best medicine, then an informed community makes a healthy community and a healthy community makes us all happy.

Please keep an eye out for future “Access Health at East Adams” programming and events, and join us tonight, July 25 at 6 p.m. in the library basement for a free presentation about ‘Genetics and Your Health’ by Dr. Ted Chauvin from WSU’s Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine.