Arizona Go Local – A Journey

Abstract

Arizona Go Local (AZGoLocal) was launched in 2006 in the midst of the Arizona Turning Point Project, an ongoing statewide effort to promote collaboration among communities, public health departments, and libraries. With a variety of funding sources, the Arizona Health Sciences Library of the University of Arizona used a combination of strategies to manage the AZGoLocal project, gather data, recruit and encourage partners, and publicize it in communities. There was no lack of enthusiasm. The database ultimately held 4,000 records. Concern about the ongoing sustainability (i.e., providing good coverage, adding and keeping data up-to-date, and staffing the project) was exacerbated by the Arizona 2-1-1 project, which had similar goals, was well-funded, and backed by state government. AZGoLocal was removed from the Internet in 2010, not long after the National Library of Medicine announced its decision to discontinue support of MedlinePlus Go Local.

KEYWORDS:

• 2-1-1
• Arizona
• AZGoLocal
• AZHealthInfo
• collaboration
• county health departments
• Go Local projects
• public libraries
• state health department
• Turning Point Project

Acknowledgments

AZGoLocal was supported with funds granted by the Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records Agency under the Library Services and Technology Act (LTR DTD060706), which is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. AZGoLocal was also supported by the Pacific Southwest Region of National Network of Libraries of Medicine of the National Library of Medicine (contract 5415 G GB050).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jeanette L. Ryan

Jeanette L. Ryan, MSLS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Deputy Director, Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, P.O. Box 245079, Tucson, AZ 85724.

Jacqueline Donaldson Doyle

Jacqueline Donaldson Doyle, MS, AHIP, FMLA ([email protected]) is Head Librarian, Arizona Health Sciences Library, Phoenix, University of Arizona College of Medicine- Phoenix, 550 E. Van Buren Road, Phoenix, AZ 85004.