This website was launched in October 2002. In 2002-2003 we worked with Nuestras Raíces to create a small health library in conjunction with their agriculture/environmental library at Centro Agricola, the community center at 329 Main St (corner of Cabot), Holyoke. We called this our "pilot" library because it was our first trial location and we were learning as we went along. Photos of pilot library during construction in 2002 and in October 2003. The library was staffed by a volunteer two hours/week every Wednesday morning from March 2003 through mid-2004.
In 2004 we received a grant from the National Library of Medicine for our project "Enhancing Consumer Access to Electronic Health Information" and hired a part-time librarian “Consumer Health Information Coordinator for Holyoke” to work with community partners in Holyoke, including the Holyoke Public Library, the Holyoke Health Center, Providence Prenatal, the Senior Center, the Teen Center, and Nuestras Raíces. We maintained a "virtual" library via our website and offer training in MedlinePlus and other databases to staff at each partner site. We also assisted partner sites in developing a reference collection of handy dictionaries, handbooks, and health guides.
In summer 2006 another grant from the National Library of Medicine funded an outreach program including an HCHL booth at Holyoke Farmers' Market and parttime librarian working with the Teen Center, and seniors participating in the Council on Aging's FarmShare program.
During 2007-2008 the focus has been on collaboration with broader efforts in Holyoke, especially the Holyoke Food and Fitness Policy Council (HFFPC) and work with a variety of coalitions to create a resource directory of service providers and coalitions in Holyoke. This directory, web-based and bilingual, is named Holyoke Unites/Holyoke Se Une. Judy Atkin and Sandy Ward serve on the HU HSU Web Team. Our HCHL webspace (behind the scenes) was used for early drafts of the website and web team notes. (A team of UMass IT students then designed the public version for April 2008 launch.)
Mostly we are a virtual information service with no permanent home, no physical space, no paid staff. Our home is on the web: http://www.holyokehealth.info.