References and Resources
Idaho libraries are helping to keep students learning, adults earning, and improving the health and well-being of Idahoans. With the interest in telehealth (providing health care from a distance) increasing due to public demand and provider support, public libraries are uniquely positioned to provide a safe and welcoming environment with the necessary broadband and technology for patients to remotely connect with their doctors and medical professionals. This toolkit provides general information for public libraries to use to improve telehealth access for their communities or even just to supplement existing health and wellness resources and services.
Learn more about our broader Telehealth in Libraries initiative by visiting libraries.idaho.gov/telehealth.
Telehealth Overview
- A definition and overview of telehealth for the general public by the National Library of Medicine.
- Includes links to other general pages about telehealth that can further introduce the concept to patients and library staff.
- National Library of Medicine (US). (2021, August 10). Telehealth. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/telehealth.html
Rural Telehealth Toolkit – Rural Health Information Toolkit
- An online toolkit containing information, examples, and strategies for developing a rural community telehealth program.
- Rural Health Information Hub. (2019, May 21). Rural telehealth toolkit: RHIhub. https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/toolkits/telehealth
Telehealth | Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
- The Healthcare Transformation Council of Idaho (HTCI) Telehealth Task Force developed a detailed report in October 2020 to improve the utilization of telehealth in Idaho.
- Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. (2020, October). Telehealth. https://healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/providers/rural-health-and-underserved-areas/telehealth
Promoting Individual and Community Health at the Library
- A guidebook for public libraries with suggestions and resources for improving their health and wellness offerings to their communities.
- Flaherty, M. G. (2018). Promoting individual and community health at the library. ALA Editions. https://www.alastore.ala.org/content/promoting-individual-and-community-health-library
National Library of Medicine Web Policies
- The Medical Information Disclaimer provided by the National Library of Medicine is a solid example for libraries to consider when sharing health information and resources.
- National Library of Medicine. (2021, August 19). NLM web policies. https://www.nlm.nih.gov/web_policies.html
Resources for Libraries
- Hosted and maintained by the Northwest Regional Telehealth Resource Center (NRTRC)
- Searchable map with filters allows users to locate healthcare providers who currently offer telehealth services
- A free online health information resource provided by the National Library of Medicine.
- National Library of Medicine (US). (2021, November 29). MedlinePlus. MedlinePlus. https://medlineplus.gov/
- A short (13-minute) video providing an overview and tour of the major features of the MedlinePlus website.
- Baker, D. (2021, December 7). MedlinePlus tutorial (Dec 2021) [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/N8TFo2n4oX4
Libraries Linking Idaho (LiLI.org) Health and Wellness Databases
- The Idaho Commission for Libraries provides every Idahoans access to a number of subscription databases and resources through LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho).
- The Health and Wellness topic contains links to databases and resources such as Consumer Health Complete, Health Source, Alt HealthWatch, and many others.
- Idaho Commission for Libraries. (n.d.). Full resource index. Libraries Linking Idaho. https://lili.org/full-resource-index/?topics=health-and-wellness
Merck Manuals Consumer Version
- A free online health information resource published Merck & Co. for both the general public and medical professionals
- Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp. (2021). Merck manuals consumer version. Merck Manuals Consumer Version. https://www.merckmanuals.com/
Projects in Idaho
- In 2021, the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health provided telehealth pilot grants to the Idaho Commission for Libraries and two libraries in Clearwater County (Clearwater Memorial Library in Orofino and Clearwater County Free Library District in Weippe).
- Promotional materials created by Idaho Commission for Libraries to promote this pilot project are available here.
- Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health. (2021). Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health to partner with Idaho Commission for Libraries to pilot telehealth programs. https://www.bcidahofoundation.org/blue-cross-of-idaho-foundation-for-health-to-partner-with-idaho-commission-for-libraries-to-pilot-telehealth-programs/
Nampa Public Library – “Be Well Nampa” Project
- The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) awarded the Nampa Public Library a grant for their “Be Well Nampa” community health project.
- Nampa Public Library. (n.d.). “Be Well Nampa” project. https://nampalibrary.org/bewellnampa/
Meridian District Library – Meridian Moves
- The Meridian Library District provides several health and wellness resources and services to the Meridian community under its Meridian Moves initiative.
- Meridian Library District. (n.d.). Meridian Moves. https://www.mld.org/meridianmoves
Projects in Other States
Pottsboro Library – Telehealth Community of Practice
- As part of a telehealth program launched at the Pottsboro Library in Texas, a community of practice was developed for other libraries to use in supporting their own telehealth services.
- Gibson D. Lewis Health Science Library. (n.d.). Pottsboro Library – telehealth community of practice. Subject Guides at University of North Texas Health Science Center. https://libguides.unthsc.edu/pottsboro-library/
Delaware Libraries – Telehealth Kiosk & Device Loaning Initiative Pilot Launch
- In May 2021, Delaware Libraries began offering telehealth appointments in kiosks deployed in libraries throughout the state, in addition to providing hundreds of mobile hotspots and laptops for personal checkout.
- Martin, N. (2021, May 11). Launch of telehealth kiosk and device loaning initiative pilot at Delaware Libraries. State of Delaware News. https://news.delaware.gov/2021/05/12/telehealth-kiosk-device-loaning-initiative-pilot-launch/
Texas State Library and Archives Commission – Texas Telehealth Grant Program
- In August 2021, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission offered grants to Texas libraries to facilitate telehealth services and opportunities.
- Texas State Library and Archives Commission. (2021, August 24). Texas telehealth grant program. https://www.tsl.texas.gov/ldn/arpa/telehealth
New Jersey State Library – NJHealthConnect @ Your Library
- In November 2021, the New Jersey State Library provided an opportunity for New Jersey libraries to receive iPads preloaded with telehealth and video conferencing apps and links to health information resources.
- New Jersey State Library. (2021, November 30). Opportunity for NJ public libraries: NJHealthConnect @ Your Library. https://www.njstatelib.org/spotlight_items/solicitation-for-grant-applications-now-open/
For more information, please contact Amelia Valasek, Partnerships & Programs Supervisor at the Idaho Commission for Libraries, 208-639-4138 or at amelia.valasek@libraries.idaho.gov.