Access health information from home with your library card
We all know that an Internet search can produce a labyrinth of misdirects, outdated info, and disguised advertisements. This may be an inconvenience if you are simply searching for the nearest Chinese takeout or forgotten song lyrics to settle a bet. But if you are searching for current, factual information on health related conditions or treatments, it is more serious. Your Manatee County Library System has several options for finding credible health information, and with your library card, you may not even have to leave your house to access them.
From the library’s home page www.mymanatee.org/library you will see a tab for “Research and Learning.” This links you to a list of our subscription databases which provide you free access to thousands of magazine, journal, and newspaper articles — most of them full text or PDFs with photos. Each database provider appropriately notes that they are not to be used in place of advice from a medical professional or as a tool for self-diagnosis, but rather to support those seeking additional information.
EbscoHost Consumer Health Complete provides free access to more than 170 health reference books on topics ranging from first aid to mental health. It also features health and fitness articles from popular magazines like Yoga Journal and Men’s Fitness, and videos to help users understand common conditions like hypertension, diabetes, and many more.
Those studying for a career as a health care professional will find the Nursing and Allied Health Collection useful. It currently contains 12,195,281 articles, and is updated daily.
The Gale database, Health and Wellness Resource Center provides up-to-date information on diseases & conditions, alternative medicine, and drugs & herbal remedies. A subject search organizes results by magazines and journals, pamphlets, news articles, and videos. This database also includes a medical dictionary, a list of trusted websites to further help you, and some free interactive health assessment tools.
Another database you may find helpful for keeping fit is Hoopla, also found on the library’s website. A subject search provides e-books, e-audiobooks, videos, and even music on the topic. For example, a search for “Yoga” located more than 150 e-books, 44 videos, and wide assortment of music to accompany your workout.
Of course, you can also visit your library in person to learn more about living a healthy lifestyle. Many of the branches offer classes in yoga, nutrition, and CPR, just to name a few. Check out our monthly calendar of events on the website.
Speaking Volumes, written by Manatee County Public Library System staff members, is published each Sunday. Mary Lysaght is the Assistant Supervisor at the Rocky Bluff branch.
This story was originally published July 21, 2017 at 4:52 PM with the headline "Access health information from home with your library card."