Access to Electronic Health Information for the Public: Analysis of Fifty-Three Funded Projects

In 2000 the National Library of Medicine (NLM), a component of the National Institutes of Health, funded fifty-three consumer health outreach projects through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM). The goal of all projects was to improve access to electronic health information for consumers. Drawing on experience gained in the NN/LM public library pilot projects undertaken in 1998–1999, the projects involved medical and public libraries in partnership with a wide range of community organizations, including public health departments, schools, churches, and local professional associations. The projects provided training in the use of MedlinePlus and other health information resources and support for Internet access in a variety of settings. The projects used an array of approaches over an eighteen-month funding period. This article presents descriptive information about the projects, highlights common barriers, and provides an analysis of the effectiveness of methods and approaches used.