Cross Boundaries, Cross Cultural: the UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center’s Native American Health Information Services: A Descriptive Overview Update. Patricia Bradley, MLS, AHIP. University of New Mexico Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center.
Objectives: This paper provides an accounting of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center’s signature program--Native American Health Information Services 2004-2014.
Methods: The descriptive overview is based upon a review of project and activity reports. The overview includes National Library of Medicine-supported outreach activities involving Native peoples in New Mexico and the Four Corners region--Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, as well as activities conducted by the Native and Distance Services Librarian.
Results: The projects/activities resulted in health information outreach training to public/tribal libraries, a tribal health department, Community Health Representatives, tribal health educators, a tribal health board, Native American Research Centers for Health, and to practitioners who provide medical services to native peoples.
Conclusions: Health information outreach to Native communities requires careful planning, flexibility, and ongoing evaluation to optimize project results and balance the priorities of both the health sciences library and the tribal communities and organizations.
