Health Information Without Limits: A Print Collection for Consumers in the Heart of the Hospital

ABSTRACT

The Health Information Center at the University of Tennessee Medical Center developed a consumer level print collection for patients, family members, and community visitors. Librarians utilized MLA Collection Development and Consumer and Patient Health Information Sections lists, vendor and consumer recommended lists, and Library Journal and other review sources. With input from key administrators for the six Centers of Excellence at the Medical Center, physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, 200 titles were selected and reviewed for appropriateness. The print collection is used in-house and regularly checked out by patients, family members, and the hospital community.

KEYWORDS:

• Consumer health collection development
• hospital libraries
• library services