Introduction: Consumer Health Issues, Trends, and Research, Part 2: Applicable Research in the 21st Century

Making consumer health information accessible to the public has enhanced and empowered lives. How do we know this is fact? This unique issue will look at the research to show how librarians have been the change agents who cultivate and maintain a web of relationships and resources needed to be advocates for consumer health information. There are many unique challenges that librarians face to improve health literacy by promoting wellwritten, easy to understand, reliable, quality health information. There is no special formula for implementing consumer health information services or models, but this issue is dedicated to addressing the imperative topic of translating formal and informal research initiatives into practice. This compilation assembles the best practices for consumer health information services and building healthy bridges through innovative and sometimes surprising partnerships. In part 2 of the series “Consumer Health Issues, Trends and Research,” contributors address the many facets that comprise consumer health information services. Applicable Research in the 21st Century promotes creative partnerships and models between agencies and library institutions and delivers strategies for achieving health literacy in a variety of communities. Nancy Ottman Press and Mary Diggs-Hobson met the health information needs of a faith ministry community by meeting people where they are, not where we want them to be, and by developing an innovative model of health information provision to a new community. Stephanie Weldon discusses the need for collaboration and marketing to ensure the library remains viable to its internal and external audiences—health professionals, hospital