Through the Looking Glass: Developing a Health Resource Center for Cooper University Hospital

Abstract

Not many libraries have the opportunity to create a patient education library. Cooper University librarians were challenged with the unique situation of developing a Planetree resource center for patients and their families in an architecturally designed glass space in the center of the new atrium lobby while undergoing a major building project that moved the medical library from the back of the building to the entrance. This article describes the librarians' approach from the basic concept through vision and mission to the creation and challenges of a working center.

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Dixie A. Jones (E-mail: [email protected]) and Paul Blobaum (E-mail: [email protected]).

KEYWORDS:

• consumer health
• patient education
• Planetree

The author thanks fellow librarians, Nancy Calabretta, Susan Cavanaugh, Betty Jean Swartz, and Barbara Miller, who generously shared their time and insights. The author thanks especially Cheryl Wolozin for editing the manuscript.

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Dixie A. Jones (E-mail: [email protected]) and Paul Blobaum (E-mail: [email protected]).