LIBRARY

the vast amounts of information available literally at theirfingertips. Yes, a lot of information is now online, but youhave to know how to navigate it — how to zero in on whatyou need to best take care of yourself or your patients —to get the most out of it. That’s where we come in,” Mrs.Mercer says.The state-of-the-art library has an extensive collection:more than 12,500 books, 7,000 journal subscriptions, 1,500audiovisual items and 150 medical, scientific and generaldatabases. Its resources cover basic and biomedical sciences,clinical medicine and health care. A rare historical collectionalso includes books donated from the personal collectionsof local physicians that date to the American Revolution.While many materials are available online, the libraryremains an important physical space for the EVMScommunity, Mrs. Mercer notes. Students check out reservedmaterials for classes, study, hold small group meetings,attend classes and work in a computer lab that’s open tothem 24 hours a day, seven days a week. EVMS networkaccount holders also can access all databases from offcampus.But the EVMS family is just one regular user of thelibrary. In fact, 48 percent of the questions posed to referencestaff come from outside EVMS, adding up to about 20,000queries a year. Patients and their families in particular —including those admitted to Sentara Norfolk GeneralHospital and Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters(CHKD) — often turn to the library to better understanda new diagnosis or a chronic illness.“Often immediately after a diagnosis, people areoverwhelmed and don’t absorb a lot of what a doctoris telling them,” Ruth Smith, outreach servicescoordinator for the library, explains. “Later, theywill come to us to learn more so that the next timethey talk to their health-care provider, they willhave better questions to ask. We are really empoweringpeople to deal with their illnesses and live the healthiestlives possible.”Ms. Smith’s job is to extend the library’s reach evenfurther into the community. Since 2000, she has trainedmore than 5,000 Hampton Roads residents on how tosearch for accurate and up-to-date medical informationonline. She also educates people about the free consumerhealthlinks posted on the EVMS library’s home pageduring presentations at public libraries, health fairs, schools,senior centers, businesses and other venues. And she guidespublic librarians through EVMS-funded classes that covereverything from medical vocabulary to web navigation,including resources for the area’s many military families.“We will go practically anywhere to give a talk,”M s . S m it hNEARLY HALF OF THE QUESTIONSPOSED TO REFERENCE STAFF COMEFROM OUTSIDE EVMS, ADDING UP TOABOUT 20,000 QUERIES A YEAR.says. “So manyp e ople a relooking onlinefor medicalinformationand asking usquestions, sowe know theneed is outthere.” Health-care information is the second-most-searchedtopic online in the country, Mrs. Mercer points out — secondonly to financial information.On the EVMS campus, librarians play a vital rolein preparing the doctors of the future. Currently, a majoremphasis is to base treatment decisions on scientificevidence; studies have shown that doctors who don’t followthe latest medical research in their specialties aren’t able to20 FALL 2010 WWW.EVMS.EDULIBRARY