Digital Pathways Part 1: Launching Online Health Literacy Support at Your Library
Use the Digital Pathways guide to plan an online health literacy program or service for adults. Presenters will begin with a recurring patron need, such as preparing for a telehealth appointment, and show how to choose a format suited to available staff, space, and technology. A fictional case will demonstrate teaching digital skills in plain language, protecting personal information, and preserving patrons’ control of their accounts. The session will clarify staff responsibilities and referral options and show how observations about practical barriers can help improve an initial offering.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of the webinar, participants will be able to:
- Match a recurring patron need to an online health literacy activity or service that fits local capacity.
- Identify staff responsibilities and privacy practices that preserve patrons’ control of their devices and accounts.
- Use selected Digital Pathways resources to plan an initial offering, identify referral options, and review practical barriers.
This is Part 1 in a two-webinar series highlighting practical applications for the free Digital Pathways: Online Health Literacy Programming for Adults guide. You can register for Part 2 here.
Dr. Witt Salley is an Adult and Teen Services Librarian with Montgomery County Public Libraries. At Quince Orchard Library, he coordinates English Conversation Groups, leads the Teen Advisory Board, provides one-to-one technology help, and develops programs that connect teens, adults, and older adults to reliable information, digital skills, community, and practical support. Earlier in his career, Witt led online learning and academic support units in higher education, including roles at Clemson University, Ozarks Technical Community College, and Maryland University of Integrative Health. He holds the Medical Library Association’s Consumer Health Information Specialization and serves on the Public Library Association’s Digital Literacy Advisory Group. His contributions to Digital Pathways draw on experience in online programming, health information access, and plain-language communication for adult learners.
Marlowe Bogino holds a MSLS from Clarion University of Pennsylvania and AHIP designation from the Medical Library Association.
For almost ten years, she has worked in libraries in various settings including public, academic and health libraries in which she supported learning, instruction and outreach. She currently works in the role of Medical Librarian at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center Junior Board Resource Library at Christiana Care where she has the opportunity to support patients, families and work closely with the cancer outreach team. She has written and published a journal article focused on library support of health information for communities and co-authored two book chapters focused on equitable and inclusive library practices.
She believes her library role is rooted in service and support and continually looks for opportunities to make new connections.