October is Health Literacy Month, a time for organizations and individuals to promote the importance of understandable health information. Libraries often are called on to provide reliable health information. In fact, the U.S. Impact Study showed that 30% of patrons using library computers did so for health and wellness purposes. To get ready for Health Literacy Month, here are a few resources:

• The American Library Association (ALA) and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) have teamed up to offer a Libraries Transform: Health Literacy Toolkit webinar on September 14 at 12 p.m. MT.
• The NNLM has planned a webinar for public libraries, I’m a Librarian, Not a Doctor! Providing Health Information to Public Library Customers, on September 18 from 12:30-2 p.m. MT.
• Also from the NNLM, their September “Breezing Along with the RML” webinar will be on the topic Beyond Books: Public libraries address the social determinants of health. Join Anna Morgan from the Healthy Library Initiative as she discusses public libraries, their influence on social determinants of health, and their importance for community well-being.
• WebJunction offers tips on how to prepare for Health Literacy Month for those working in, managing, or visiting libraries.

You might also check out WebJunction’s numerous Health Happens in Libraries resources.