Cancer Information: A Survey of Health and Medical Information Services offered by Public Libraries in Japan

Abstract

[Introduction] Japan is facing an aging society and expected to provide appropriate health information to citizens. Our aim is to discuss the results of a survey of Japanese public libraries which offer health and medical information service by focusing on Cancer Information.

[Method] We evaluate Websites of 47 prefectual libraries and 20 Cabinet designated city libraries using a web-based survey with 100% response rate (n=67).

[Result] All responded libraries offer health information services including cancer information, and 45% of libraries set up a specialized corner for health and medical information. Major services provided by these libraries include preparation of pathfinders for different topics (58%) and holding lectures and seminars (48%). About half of them receive professional advices from local health and medical organizations. Librarians get training of health medical information services at 55% of surveyed libraries.

[Discussion] We identified several challenges including cultivation of broad knowledge on health and medical information (91%), cooperation with other libraries and health and medical organizations (67%), and securing budget for expensive materials (57%).

[Conclusion] In order to improve the well-established medical information services, subject knowledge and retrieval technique of librarians, as well as the reinforcement of collaboration with relevant organization are key issues.