Susan Sentz

by: Susan Sentz

Everyone knows that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We see it in stores, schools, and even the NFL but where we do not see it very often is in libraries. Libraries hold the perfect opportunity to be the point of access for their local communities health literacy needs and this includes providing information during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The following are some ideas for making your patrons more aware during Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Passive Programming
Displays can be an excellent resource to get people interested in a topic. Your library could go the more traditional route of creating your own display including information, handouts and books. Another option is creating a partnership to bring information to your patrons in your Library. The Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition offers a traveling photo exhibit entitled 67 Women, 67 Counties: Facing Breast Cancer in Pennsylvania. This traveling exhibit is a tribute that showcases a woman from each of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties. “This educational work of art celebrates the life, courage, hope and dignity of women and families who have battled breast cancer.” This exhibit also promotes to women to learn about and practice early detection measures. This type of exhibit is a great way to bring real stories and faces to your community to promote the educational importance of breast cancer awareness.

Programming in your Library
In 2012 the Northeast Library District received an LSTA grant to create Hands on Health Trunks which feature health information and interactive displays. These trunks were created as displays and also to be used to personalize programming around the trunks. The three trunk themes include Adult Nutrition & Fitness, Children’s Nutrition & Fitness and Healthy Choices Cancer Awareness. Each trunk holds items relating to said topics that can be displayed and used in a hands on manner. The trunks were created with suggestions from Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Marywood University and Northeast Regional Cancer Institute which were partners in this endeavor. The Northeast Library District has these trunks available for their district to utilize and offer educational programs.

The Hands on Health Trunks are a great example of a way to collaborate display and program. To promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month something similar to the Healthy Choices Cancer Awareness Trunk which includes items such as  “right sized” food portions, visual examples of muscle and fat, breastology bag, and sugar and caffeine to name just a few of the items available would be appropriate for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Trunks like these would allow patrons access to current health information regarding making healthy choices and risk factors in regards to breast cancer.

Your library could also partner with a local health organizations to offer a workshop or discussion on breast cancer. This workshop could be part of series of other health related programs.  Monroeville Public Library held a string of Health Literacy Programs when they partnered with UPMC East and UPMC Centers for Rehab Services.  Healthcare professionals provided presentations and discussions on a multitude of topics including “Get the facts on Breast Cancer”. Standalone programs are also a great resource for your community, such as Breast Cancer Awareness: Early Detection is the Best Prevention held at Old Bridge Public Library. This program partners a specialist from JFK’s Breast Center to discuss the importance of early detection and what screening options are available.

No matter what your plan for Breast Cancer Awareness Month keep your community in mind. Be a resource to them for the latest information on health literacy.

For more ideas on how to promote Health Literacy in your library, visit the PA Forward Commons and be sure to add your programs to the database by completing the PA Forward Commons Submission Form!

This article was written in remembrance of Mary Fries, Public Services Manager at Northampton Area Public Library.