Research Health Matters at New Health Library
August 5, 2011 — The doctor just said your child has diabetes.
Your first thought: What can I read? What can I do to keep her healthy?
Soon, patients of Jordan Valley Community Health Center will know where to turn. They’ll have easy access to all kinds of health information right inside the medical clinic.
The Springfield-Greene County Library District and Jordan Valley have shared the costs to create The Health Library at Jordan Valley. An opening ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday (Aug. 13), will kick off a 9 a.m.-1 p.m. back-to-school event called Keep Kids Healthy.
The 1,000-square-foot library satellite service is in the lobby of the clinic, 440 E. Tampa St. It will include 500 to 1,000 of the library district’s consumer health and medical materials geared for all ages.
A part-time health librarian will focus on the health information needs of Jordan Valley patients. But all library district patrons who wish to research a health topic are welcome to use the library.
Visitors will be able to check out materials or read there, and research health matters on Internet computers. Preschoolers will be able to play at early literacy computer stations.
Both organizations were eager to take on the project when the Missouri Foundation for Health grant became available. Whenever it can, the library strives to serve customers where they are, with services that meet their needs.
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Are you a parent, grandparent or child care provider looking for fun and effective ways to encourage reading among children?
Free tickets are available at the 10 library branches and Mobile Library for a rare event with early childhood consultant Pam Schiller at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 30 at Jefferson Avenue Baptist Church. It’s at 314 E. Sunshine St. The program is for adults only; child care will not be provided.
Schiller’s talk, “Racing to Read: The Joyful Journey to Literacy,” will offer new ways to make sure children from birth on are ready for kindergarten. The program is sponsored by the Springfield-Greene County Library District and the Missouri Parent Information Resource Center, Southwest.
Seating is limited; the event is free but tickets are required for entrance. For details call Nancee at 616-0563.