The Librarian is In: Facing Modern Consumer Health Issues in the Public Library

Health-related reference interviews are the subject of this training tape, which presents five typical scenes: patrons (termed "customers") seeking information on physician credentials; handling questions on cancer treatment, alternative therapies, and prescription drugs; and dealing with an emotional patron. The tape is in the "stop and discuss" format, apparently designed for in-service use. In each scenario, the Internet is the first resource recommended, followed by university medical libraries, which is a little troubling since patrons with web access have likely already conducted their own information searches, and those who are afraid of computers may be overwhelmed by the sheer bulk of the results (and, in our public library, I frequently found patrons resisted visiting the local university, even when referred to useful resources there). What's curious is that none of the scenarios call for checking the catalog for informative circulating materials. The camerawork is amateurish, and the "acting"--where people are frequently reading the script before them or off to the side--is bad, but the price is good, and regional libraries that can't afford more expensive tapes aimed at the profession might consider this one. Very optional. Aud: P. (R. Reagan)