VPL’s Health Literacy Programs and Services
Vaughan Public Libraries (VPL)
Innovation Synopsis
VPL recently opened the MHV Library in the Cortellucci Hospital (CVH), accompanied by a new Health Literacies Specialist (HLS) position. We have created a comprehensive suite of programs and services that support the community’s health. We are fully committed to increasing the health literacy of our patients, staff, and greater community.
Challenge/Opportunity
The HLS was formed to support the research of the clinicians and connect the public to our GTA health community partners. As such, new accessible health programming and services that were created include monthly online recorded health workshops covering all ages, online private health literacy services, and connecting the public to reliable health information via the library’s newly curated health page. VPL also increased its training capacity to address health inequities reflected in our community.
Key Elements of Innovation
We created many new initiatives to support the health information needs of our community. Our new “Health 1-on-1” service empowers the public to connect with reliable health information to support their health journey. We deliver 300+ monthly “Welcome Baby Kits” to new parents at CVH that contain a free book, library card, and early literacy materials. We hosted 30+ programs with health partners, such as Boomerang Health SickKids and Southlake Regional Health Centre, to 300+ attendees and revamped our website.
Achieved Outcomes
Beyond increasing our medical collections and new training for info staff, our outcomes include:
- 1000+ medical research questions addressed for CVH’s clinicians and staff
- 300+ public attendees to digital health programs (400+ on Youtube)
- Delivered 3000+ “Welcome Baby Kits” to new parents
- Health 1-on-1 private service met the health information needs of 26 individuals
- Created a GTA health network that supports community stakeholders