Hospitals in Action >> Case Examples

RICE MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, Willmar, MN
Community Health Library

What is it?
Rice Memorial Hospital's consumer health-centered Community Health Library, which opened in October 2005, has books, magazines, newsletters, computers with Internet access, consumer health databases for research, videos, a blood pressure machine, a small conference room with a TV/DVD/VCR player, and a relaxing atmosphere. Users can find health information, browse through health magazines, check out health care books, search health care websites, and view health-related videos onsite. Staff help guide information-seekers to quality sources for health information. Information, which is available in different languages and learning levels. All of these services are provided free to the public in a quiet, respectful healing environment.

Who is it for?
The services at the Community Health Library are available to anyone in the community who is seeking health information. The library also serves as a business resource center for visitors, who can use the fax machine and web connections for laptops to conduct personal business while a loved one is in the hospital.

Why do they do it? 
There was in increase in requests for consumer health information, both from patients and the public. The business resource center was incorporated into the library as a response to requests for a place for families of hospitalized patients to use email for connecting with other family members and to conduct some personal business. 

Contact: Wendy Larson
Medical Librarian
Telephone: 320-231-4248
Email: wlar@rice.willmar.mn.us