Consumer Health programs can be challenging to get started and to maintain, but M. Sandra Wood has come to the rescue. Consumer Health Information Services and Programs is a collection of writings that looks at a variety of successful consumer health programs and allows the reader to benefit from their experience. Each chapter focuses on a different program and offers background information, a description of the program, and information about lessons learned. People directly involved with these programs share their experience and discuss best practices they have learned. What did it take to get started? What worked? What didn’t? How did they fund their program? What kind of partnerships were formed? All of this is covered and much more. Chapters are clearly labeled so that you can easily find specific sections and simply skim the information you need. However, I highly recommend reading all of this book. There is so much to be learned here. Not only does the reader benefit from the information offered, but it’s hard not to be excited and inspired by the wonderful programs that are detailed in this book. Whether you are looking at starting a new consumer health program or reassessing an existing one, this book is great place to start.

Consumer Connections

Consumer Health Information Services and Programs: Best Practices is an excellent guide to current best practices for both new and experienced consumer health librarians. It is a handy resource for how to effectively design, implement, and evaluate a variety of consumer health programs and services in institutions ranging from large academic health centers to small public libraries.

Medical Reference Services Quarterly

This work offers invaluable real life experiences of providing consumer health information in a wide variety of libraries with a wide variety of consumers.

Journal of Hospital Librarianship

This book is an invaluable resource for consumer health librarians, especially for those who are solo…. Whether you are looking for ideas while planning your consumer health information library service or are trying to find successful enhancements for your existing program, you will find many interesting and patron-oriented best practices in this book. It is very well written and contains detailed information that will apply to a wide range of consumer health libraries. Up-to-date resources are also included, as well as information on the backgrounds and experience of each chapter’s author. Any consumer health information librarian would be wise to include this book in his or her collection of essential resources.

Journal of the Medical Library Association

A welcome addition to the consumer health information literature, Consumer Health Information Services and Programs presents detailed descriptions of successful programs and services in a variety of settings and for diverse audiences. These expert librarians offer a wealth of useful ideas on collaborative practices, promotional activities, and effective ways to include volunteers. The authors discuss the importance of assessment and evaluation and provide up-to-date lists of resources. Of special note is a timely chapter on health literacy, a critical component of any consumer health information program. Highly recommended.

Margaret Moylan Bandy, Former Library & Knowledge Services Manager, Saint Joseph Hospital, Denver, CO, Retired

Looking for innovative ideas for consumer health programs? Need a “how-to” guide for setting up a patient library or other service? Look no further; this book is a refreshing and inspiring collection of current best practices in consumer health. Based on real-life examples, experienced librarians provide innovative ideas combined with the practical steps taken to implement the project or service. Common themes emerge, and readers learn the best approaches for understanding the user community, creating successful partnerships, procuring funding, providing outreach and marketing – it’s all here! For anyone planning top notch consumer health services, this is the essential compendium of best practices in the field.

Kelli Ham, MLIS, Consumer Health and Technology Coordinator, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Pacific Southwest Region