Connecting K-12 Students with

Community Health Information

Resources
Kristin M. Bugnitz
Kent State University
LIS 60630

Ask yourself
What resources does your school library possess
to address student health information needs?
What is the role of the school library/librarian in
student health information seeking?
What are 2-3 community organizations that
offer health information and services to
Columbus students?

Where do students go for health

information?

Source: Calvin and Hobbs

How do students use the Internet

to find health information?

Source: weknowmemes.com

What types of sources do

students trust?

Source: cherispeak.com

Providing community health

resources for K-12 students
Background of K-12 health information
seeking
Things to consider when selecting resources
Connecting students with health information
and community resources

Adolescent Health Information

Searches
The majority of students (87%) studied relied
on search engines results and recommended
links rather than direct site access.
Most (83%) followed links came from the
first 9 results.
Participants scanned pages randomly and
did not consider the source of information
when searching.

(Hansen, Derry, Resnick, & Richardson, 2003)

Opportunities for K-12 School

Libraries
Many communities lack viable health
information.
School libraries can fill a void by providing
equitable access to resources and
organizations.
Networking with community agencies
improve both quantity and
quality of
(Lunkenbill
& Immroth, 2009)
resource access.

Health Information Literacy

Development
Get Net Smart for
Good Health
program
Role-playing and skillbuilding activities
increased student
confidence in
evaluating health
information sites.

(Trettin, May, & McKeehan, 2008)

Things to Consider
What role will the librarian/student/caregiver
play in the information seeking process?
What are the ages and information needs of
students?
How do resources support library mission
and curricular goals?

Highlighting Health Information

Sources for School Librarians

Hospitals and Health

Organizations

National Organizations

Medical Library Libguides

Connecting Students and

Community Resources

Nationwide Childrens Hospital

Family Health Information Center
Linda DeMuro, MLS;
Linda.DeMuro@Nationwi
deChildrens.org

Source: Nationwide Childrens Hospita

The Childrens Advocacy Project

of Columbus, OH
Leslie Hill-Ali,
CAP4Kids
Coordinator:
Leslie.HillAli@
NationwideChildrens.
org

Source: Cap4Kids

Center for Healthy Weight and

Nutrition
Michael Bramlish,
MPH, CHES;
Michael.Bramlish
@nationwidechildrens
.org

Source: Ounce of Prevention

Meet and Greet

Please take this
opportunity to visit the
presenter tables and
learn more about local
information resources.
Please take a session
evaluation form from the
podium with you to your
seat.

Conclusion
Students have a definite need for credible
health information and health information
literacy instruction.
School libraries are in a position to fill that
need through careful resource selection,
instruction, and collaboration with
community partners.

Wrap Up/Evaluation
Please help make this presentation better by
completing the evaluation survey before you
leave.
Thank you for attending and feel free to
contact me at kbugnitz@kent.edu with any
further questions or input.