For immediate release | June 1, 2020
Public Library Association, National Network of Libraries of Medicine continue partnership with new digital literacy, citizen science tools
CHICAGO -- The Public Library Association (PLA), National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) and the All of Us Research Program (All of Us) are working together to support health literacy by promoting the importance of digital literacy in health and wellness.
NNLM and All of Us, in partnership with Wisconsin Health Literacy, have created a suite of digital health literacy resources for public libraries to help individuals strengthen their skills. Resources include a curriculum guide for libraries to teach digital literacy by using health topics and access to a series of online modules, called “Learn Internet Skills.” Modules are designed to teach users essential competencies, such as getting an e-mail address and creating strong passwords, are available in English and Spanish and can be accessed at nnlm.gov/digital. These tools, along with PLA’s DigitaLearn.org, are virtual and accessible at any time, helping libraries continue to promote digital equity and skill development even while closed.
Libraries that offer digital literacy training sessions can request assistance from NNLM to promote them to individuals in their community who are participating in the All of Us Research Program. Libraries should go to nnlm/gov/allofus/digitalhealthliteracy and select “Tell NNLM about My Library’s Digital Health Literacy Training Events.”
In addition, NNLM has partnered with SciStarter to create an online course, “Introduction to Citizen Science,” for any member of the public who is interested in exploring their local community through citizen science. Through citizen science, NNLM and libraries can engage communities in addressing societal needs and accelerating biomedical science, technology, and innovation. Resources for libraries and community partners include free citizen science guides and the online “Introduction to Citizen Science” course.
Access to these resources and more are available at nnlm.gov/allofus/digitalhealthliteracy.
This partnership, supported by All of Us to return value to participants and communities, will help libraries communicate the importance of digital literacy in health and help support essential digital literacy skills. All of Us is a national research program seeking one million or more people from across the United States to help speed up medical research.
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About the Public Library Association
The Public Library Association (PLA) is the largest association dedicated to supporting the unique and evolving needs of public library professionals. Founded in 1944, PLA serves nearly 10,000 members in public libraries large and small in communities across the United States and Canada, with a growing presence around the world. PLA strives to help its members shape the essential institution of public libraries by serving as an indispensable ally for public library leaders. For more information about PLA, contact the PLA office at 1 (800) 545-2433, ext. 5PLA, or pla@ala.org.
About the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM)
The mission of the NNLM is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving the public's access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health. NNLM’s work is coordinated by the National Library of Medicine and carried out through a nationwide network of health science libraries and information centers.
Contact:
Scott Allen
Deputy Director
American Library Association
Public Library Association
sallen@ala.orgFeatured News