BCALA NEWS Volume 41, Issue 3

Summer 2014

7

The New ‘‘BCALA Librarians Move” Health Project

SUBMITTED BY LAVENTRA E. DANQUAH

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) recently participated in the 8th National Conference of African American Librarians and sponsored the presentation of several speakers. Two of the speakers, Goulda Downer, Ph.D., R.D., L.N., C.N.S. and Vivian Pinn, M.D. made tremendous impressions on the group about the importance of taking care of their health, including nutrition and physical activity along with the importance of remaining aware of relevant health information.

As a result of the excitement and continued interest in the topic, NLM is conducting a health information and promotion project with BCALA. The health project will actively address obesity prevention through the promotion of diet, nutrition, and physical activity. A committee of librarians from academic, health, and public libraries was established to execute the project. The initiative, officially titled BCALA Librarians Move, will include a

designated website with specific information on African American Health, a Facebook page, as well as sponsoring special health events and programs at ALA Midwinter, Annual, and the 9th National Conference of African American Librarians. Just as important, BCALA members will be encouraged to increase their physical activity and chart their progress using tools on the BCALA Librarians Move website where they’ll find support and encouragement from members and friends. For additional information, contact BCALA/ NLM Health Information Project committee chair, Ms. Shannon D. Jones, MLS, M.Ed at joneshan@musc.edu.