A partnership between the Woodland Public Library and the Woodland Literacy Council will bring health literacy resources to community members through an innovative initiative that allows patrons to check out tote bags filled with valuable health information.
According to a city press release, these kits address an important need in our community, as the United States Department of Health and Human Services reports that a significant number of adults in America are below a proficient level when it comes to health literacy.
Each Health Literacy Tote Bag contains books, CDs, DVDs, and print materials in a learnable lending kit. While the user is expected to return the kit in the same way as typical library materials, they keep the print materials.
The Health Literacy Tote Bags are available to Woodland Public Library cardholders when the library is open.
Topics covered include Alzheimer's disease, Autism, Diabetes, Grief, Mental Health, Parenting, and Substance Abuse in both Spanish and English kits.
"Public libraries play a critical role in promoting health literacy, providing the community with reliable information to allow people to make informed choices," said Makerspace and Literacy LibrarianTrina Camping. "Librarians at the Woodland Public Library have connected people with health literacy information for years, but people often don't realize the depth of the resources available."
"The Toolkits provide a quick starting point," Camping continued. "A patron recently asked for a Librarian's help to find information on a recent diagnosis as her doctor couldn't provide any handouts or follow-up information. Library staff directed her to the Health Literacy Toolkits, and she burst into tears at having quick access to accurate information and avenues for further inquiry."
The totes are located near the circulation desk upstairs and can be checked out for six weeks. The books and DVDs are returned after the six-week period, but the handouts and resource lists can be kept by the patron.
Learn more about the Woodland Public Library at https://woodlandpubliclibrary.com/.
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