Collaborative programs in the public library – a way to encourage access to health information

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to define another perspective on the position of health and library professionals in the changing information environment. The importance of their role to new models of collaboration in local community as a way to encourage access to health information in wide public is stressed. The case study will be the city and county library "Fran Galović" in Koprivnica, Croatia. Since 2008, when the library initiated the collaboration with health professionals in the local public hospital, the County Public Health Institute, the Health care house, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individuals, a lot of collaborative programs and projects for children and adults have been realizing on regular basis. Their aim is to inform, educate and raise awareness of all age population on the topics of health. Collaborative programs have different formats, taking place in the library, inside and outside of its building in order to promote the health prevention issues, the healthy style of life, as well as library collections and information sources on health topics.

The health professionals have realized that their engagement in health prevention and promotion outside of their working places contribute to a better informed wider public on health prevention, as well as flow of health information. Librarians have realized that cooperation with health professionals, NGOs and individuals contribute to better visibility of library health collections and access to health information to the wider public. According to the research results, the Koprivnica public library with its collaborative health programs has been recognized as an important factor in the development of the local community. In the lack of consistent models of collaboration in spreading health information in local communities, it serves as a role model to other public libraries in Croatia and internationally.