Holyoke Consumer Health Library, Inc.

Committee Meeting

Minutes

 

Wednesday, March 29, 2006

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Holyoke Public Library Community Meeting Room

 

Present: Judy Atkins, Stephanie Bozigian-Merrick, Christine Craig, James Craig, Doris McKethan, Kathleen Packard, Maria Pagan, Sandy Ward

 

The meeting was called to order by Sandy Ward at 11:05 a.m.

 

Sandy welcomed all attendees; introductions were made. Since this is the first formal HCHL meeting in 2006, officers were announced: Sandy Ward, President; Maria Pagan, Vice-President; Doris McKethan, Treasurer; Christine Craig, Clerk.

 

Announcements

• HCHL has officially received full tax exempt status
• A VCR has been donated to HCHL; if any partners could use this as a tool for information provision, let Sandy know

 

Grant-funded project: overview of accomplishments

• The project “Enhancing Consumer Access to Electronic Health Information,” will be completed by the end of April 2006. A 2-month extension of this 18-month was given by NLM.
• During this wrap-up phase, results of evaluations will be compiled and a final report will be written. Information obtained from the evaluations will be used when applying for future grants.
• Community Partner Updates: Sandy asked for updates or comments from the various community partners who participated in this grant over the last 18 months. She asked for a focus on health information resources, trainings, books obtained, staff feedback.

• Nuestras Raices: the HCHL pilot began in this partner’s space. Their current direction is developing their farm, so they will not be training staff on electronic health information at this time.
• Holyoke Public Health Library: all public service staff and even additional staff have been trained. HCHL far exceeded their training goals at the public library.
• Holyoke Health Center: approximately 40 staff members were trained. Kathleen Packard continues to work with HHC HIV/AIDS team members; this training is funded by another grant. It might be helpful to have a recap or refresher meeting for all HHC staff members before grant activity ends.

• Providence Prenatal: All 8 staff members have been trained; two trainings were also held for pregnant teens. Judy Atkin reports that MedlinePlus has been a very effective tool for their staff. It has been especially useful in their methadone clinic. Books purchased are frequently used by patients who are there for appointments. Staff members appreciate the usefulness and reliability of MedlinePlus. The teens preferred the tutorials.
• Council on Aging Senior Center: MedlinePlus has provided very helpful information, especially for seniors with questions about Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Girls, Inc. Teen Center: so far they have trained one person. Upon receipt of new equipment, this person will proceed to train other staff. Kathleen’s evaluation of teen websites has been very helpful and useful for them.
• HCHL’s original goals are being achieved at the various partner sites, albeit in a decentralized format with trainers traveling to community sites (as opposed to having community members coming to one physical consumer health library).

 

Evaluating health websites

• Presentation by Kathleen Packard
• The handouts will also be put on the HCHL website
• Committee members were asked to communicate names of groups who could benefit from this training

 

HPL Health Information Week report

• The TV 40 coverage of this event was played for the group
• This was excellent coverage but, unfortunately, it did not bring in people to the library

 

Planning for celebration in April

• The date chosen for the celebration is Wednesday, April 12, 2006, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. at Open Square, Black Sheep Deli
• Room rental costs will come from the grant; paid wait staff and food will be funded from other sources
• There was a discussion regarding other, perhaps less expensive, locations and caterers for the party; it was decided to stick with Black Sheep
• Committee members discussed the invitation list. Kathleen expressed a desire to invite all those trained by HCHL under this grant. An invitation will be emailed to committee members. It is hoped committee members will then invite their staff, as appropriate. Mayor Sullivan will receive an individual invitation.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 12:50 p.m. All were invited to view the health collection at the public library’s reference room on the first floor of the library. HCHL both cleared out-of-date books and expanded this collection.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Christine Craig