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Health Pages
3:35 PM EDT 10/6/06
Has anyone out there created a health information page on their library's website? What links are critical to include? Should you include a disclaimer? Any suggestions for those who want to add a health page to their sites? Please share your URLs and tips here...
Thanks!
Amanda
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Re: What makes a good health page?
3:16 PM EST 3/3/06
as a reply to Amanda Latreille.
You asked what should be included on a good health page--absolutely include a link to the National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus web site! It surveys the web and provides links to the best and most authoritative health information out there. It includes a medical dictionary, illustrations, directory of organizations, everything you'd want. You need have no fear sending your patrons there! Also, it includes a news feed which is a good place to search for those "I just heard about this new treatment, discovery, whatever on the news" questions.
Here in Illinois librarians have gotten together to create Illinois Clicks. Instead of each library putting up their own links, librarians have volunteered to create and maintain a certain section. Then each library can just link to Illinois Clicks! Saves lots of work. The Health Science Librarians of Illinois volunteered to take on the provision of links to health information. They're hoping to add links to local information (clinics, hospitals, local events, etc.) similar to what is NLM is developing on MedlinePlus. Check to see if someone in your state is doing something similar--or start your own project!
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Re: What makes a good health page?
7:52 AM EST 3/10/06
as a reply to Joy Kennedy.
Thanks for sharing! Do you have a URL for Illinois Clicks?
Amanda
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Re: What makes a good health page?
4:20 PM EST 3/13/06
as a reply to Joy Kennedy.
Joy,
Wow! This site is great. Is it coordinated through the State Library...and librarians around the State volunteer their time and expertise to maintain particular topics...?
Thanks!
Amanda
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RE: Health Pages
9:25 PM EST 2/15/09
as a reply to Amanda Latreille.
With the exception of projects for college courses, I have never created a website for anyone, let alone a library. However, I can give you some helpful suggestions.
If there are any links to include, you should include as many valid links as possible. Because the distribution of information is a vital task for the library, you want to make sure that users are entitled to browse through as many sources as possible, so long as they are legitimate. As an added bonus, give users the options of displaying the list of links in the order they may regard as most fitting, such as by alphabetizing, popularity, chronology, etc.
Disclaimers must be included. Users must realize that the library is not in anyway responsible for their regimens and the task of the library is only to provide information. If they are looking for someone to personally assist them with their health concerns, they must contact a nutritionist and/or a fitness instructor, but not a librarian. As for the links, be sure to make mention as of what age group the site targets or if there might be any graphic medical imagery, just to avoid confrontations with those who are sensitive about that sort of material.
As for any other suggestions in regards to adding a health page to your library's website, all I can advise is to do the best you can and hope everything will turn out all right.
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