The National Library of Medicine and National Network of Libraries of Medicine Respond to Opioid Epidemic

Photo of Kate Flewelling
Kate Flewelling
Executive Director, NNLM MAR

Opioid overdoses have increased dramatically in recent years. Millions of people in the United States suffer from substance use disorders. The National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) have responded with increased online health information resources and training.

National Library of Medicine resources include:

HSLS is home to the NNLM regional office for the Middle Atlantic region (MAR). Many NNLM MAR constituents, especially public libraries, have responded to the crisis with public events and staff training. For example, the Reading Public Library hosted a panel discussion that included the Pennsylvania Physician General, first responders, and a mother who lost a child to the epidemic. After the public event, Lydia Collins, former NNLM MAR staff member, provided training for library staff on health information resources.

NNLM MAR Education and Health Literacy Coordinator Michelle Burda has created a new one hour introduction on finding authoritative health information about opioid abuse and overdose prevention and treatment options. The training was piloted with Medical Reserve Corps members from across Delaware. This webinar is appropriate for anyone providing health information to the general public including librarians, educators, and healthcare professionals.

Understanding the Opioid Crisis: Where do I begin?

November 28, 2018
2 p.m.–3 p.m. EST
Register (requires a free NNLM online account—recording will be sent to all registrants)

To view past webinars from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, check out our new YouTube playlist on Substance Misuse.