Ever had an employee call in sick with an incomprehensible diagnosis?

Ever wonder what support groups might be available to your child for diabetes?

Ever considered what you will do with your aging parents when they need care during the day while you are working?

Answers to these questions and much more are available at the Bartels Community Health Library. The library was opened in May of 1991 to provide the general public access to easily understood health related information. Changes in health care delivery and reimbursement along with an increasing interest in personal responsibility for health care choices and an awareness of new resources have increased the library's utilization ten-fold over these last six years. Advances in technology bring a huge maze of information, so human interaction is the core of our success. Our volunteer staff is available to assist patrons in selecting appropriate materials at any level, from a simple question about the vaccinations needed to travel abroad to the latest research on a rare disease. Materials are available in many different formats: books on specific topics organized according to general categories such as cancer or men's health, magazines and newsletters covering everything from aging to body-mind connections, computerized health abstracts accessing over 200 publications and medical journals, articles and pamphlets filed by general subject, and a resource file for local, state and national organizations.

The library is open weekdays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. for researching topics. If a personal visit is not possible, inquiry by phone is available with the information being sent in the mail. Feedback from patrons indicate the information has been a "life-saver" in many situations. So, for those incomprehensible diagnoses, or for information needed on repetitive use injuries, call a Bartels Community Health Library volunteer at (541) 608-5913 for the latest information and resources.