Yale University and the New Haven Free Public Library recently received a $43, 885 grant from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. The grant will establish a central New Haven Consumer Health Information Center at the Free Public Library.

The project will bring extensive health information to the New Haven community. The public library will play an essential role in the dissemination of health information with the support of the Yale School of Medicine, the Harvey Cushing/John Hay Whitney Medical Library and the Epidemiology and Public Health Library.

“The School of Medicine and the Medical and EPH libraries are proud to cooperate with the New Haven Free Public Library to make health information available to the citizens of New Haven,” said David Kessler, dean of the Medical School.

The project’s goal is to improve public access to health information and help people make informed decisions about their health care. The focus will be to increase electronic health resources, provide consumer health books and teach effective searching skills. An area focused on consumer health will be created at the main branch of the Free Public Library and its three branch libraries.

–Yale Daily News