Library Outreach to Support Groups: A Case Study.

Information sharing is a key component of patient and caregiver support groups. Hospital libraries that provide consumer health and patient information services can increase their visibility among support groups through presentations, facilitator training, brochures and other media. This case study details a project at a regional medical center in Virginia to provide outreach to groups that met regularly at the hospital or nearby facilities. Initial evaluation suggests that group members who attended librarian presentations are likely to use the health sciences library and MedlinePlus in the future.