This study examined how public libraries and library staff in two systems in a midwestern state provide health information, particularly because of the state’s low health ranking. This article focuses on a subset of the study’s findings, highlighting staff preparedness to offer health information, perceptions about health literacy, and the role of the Medical Library Association’s consumer health information specialist (CHIS) certification in contributing to knowledge and understanding of health information issues. I interviewed 38 public library staff and received background information from four other individuals with knowledge of health information access in the state. Qualitative analysis indicated that library staff exhibited varying abilities and knowledge about health information and health literacy. Librarians with CHIS certification, provided in one system, were more comfortable with health information sources and services than others, as were their colleagues. Public libraries should consider providing more health information training to address the needs of their communities.

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“我想为顾客提供良好的信息”：公共图书馆工作人员作为健康信息的促进者

这项研究调查了中西部州的两个系统中的公共图书馆和图书馆工作人员如何提供健康信息，特别是由于该州的健康排名较低。本文着重研究的一部分结果，重点介绍了员工准备提供健康信息，对健康素养的看法以及医学图书馆协会的消费者健康信息专家（CHIS）认证在促进对健康信息问题的认识和理解方面的作用。 。我采访了38名公共图书馆的工作人员，并从其他四个了解该州健康信息访问知识的个人那里获得了背景信息。定性分析表明，图书馆工作人员展现出关于健康信息和健康素养的各种能力和知识。拥有CHIS认证的图书馆员，在同一个系统中提供的信息，与其他人相比，对健康信息资源和服务的舒适度要高于其他系统。公共图书馆应考虑提供更多的健康信息培训，以解决其社区的需求。