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Poster presented on March 6-8, 2002 at the conference on Communicating the Future: Best Practices in Communication of Science and Technology to the Public, co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science, and NIST. Poster topics were selected as "best practices" through a formal peer review by a committee of distinguished science writers, educators, and researchers.

Border Health Information & Education Network: BIEN!
Program led by: New Mexico State University Library (17 partner organizations)

Abstract

BIEN's mission is to improve the health behaviors of the residents of Southern New Mexico, an ethnically diverse, economically depressed, and medically under-served area. To this end, we are providing increased access to reliable, quality health information in English and Spanish in a variety of formats for health professionals, educators, and consumers.

A technology infrastructure among seventeen partner organizations was created consisting of computers and printers, Internet access, core health libraries including web-based databases, a project web site, and training for librarians and health professionals.

Data retrieved from several feasibility studies was used to develop the BIEN! Project. Our studies consisted of community-based focus groups; face-to face surveys, and needs-assessments.

We have provided many train-the-trainer sessions and workshops at partner sites as well as at requested locations. "Hands-on" practice was a critical component of each session. Evaluation forms were provided at each of the workshops and responses were used to evaluate and subsequently re-design the training sessions. Our web site visitors provided feedback on the usability of the web site as well as the content, through messages posted on the site's bulletin board, and through messages sent directly to the webmaster.

Regular communication was facilitated among partners through an email network, face-to-face quarterly meetings, monthly meetings for the Executive Board, and a five-hour strategic communication planning workshop. Constant communication with the grant administrator and fiscal monitors greatly helped in assuring fiscal and legal accountability.

Funding

A one-year project funded by the National Library of Medicine.

BIEN! Statistical Snapshot

  • Website: 10,839 visitors
  • Training Sessions: 34 sessions
  • Number of people trained: 230
  • Health Databases purchased and number of searches:
    • Alt-Health Watch, 1021; Biomedical Fulltext, 527; CINAHL, 21; MDConsult, 439; Health Source, 716; Medline, 12
  • Library Acquisitions distributed among partners
    • Books 1,246; Videos 76; Brochures 7,000
  • Number of PCs, printers, and projectors purchased: 20
  • Document Delivery requests: 84

Toolkit

  • Create a network or partnership by organizing individuals, agencies, and/or organizations that share your vision.
  • Establish a coordinating board.
  • Develop a project-oriented concept paper for distribution. Include information gathered through research processes.
  • Seek assistance through grant funds or institutional sponsorships.
  • Develop specific goals, objectives, and timelines.
  • Market, Market, Market!!
  • Create a webpage and ask others to link to it.
  • Develop and maintain lines of communication among the partners.
  • Establish working committees to complete specific tasks.
  • Continuously improve your project by evaluating outcomes.
  • In any project, connect with librarians in your area for assistance with research, community outreach, and access to technology-based information!


Budget

Total: $204,000

Salaries 60,480
Consultant Services 3,600
Equipment 44,740
Supplies 16,370
Travel 1,801
Electronic Databases 41,230
Library Materials 35,779


Targeting our Audience

Concerned librarians and health professionals/educators held a forum to discuss perceived lack of access to health information among the underserved populations in our border region.

To validate these perceptions we:

  • Developed and distributed needs assessment surveys
  • Conducted focus groups in English and Spanish

Reaching our Audience

  • Train-the-trainer workshops
  • Workshops for general public
  • Posters/Fliers
  • Newspaper/Newsletter articles
  • Word-of-mouth
  • Promotora System (in Colonias)
  • Acquisition & distribution of health materials
  • BIEN! Website
  • Conferences
  • Health Fairs

Contact

Sylvia Ortiz
New Mexico State University Library
MSC3475, P.O. Box 30006
Las Cruces, N.M. 88003
Phone: (505) 646-7481
sortiz@lib.nmsu.edu

Web Site

www.bienhealth.org

New Mexico State University

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Created: 3/28/2002
Last updated: 8/17/2002
Contact: inquiries@nist.gov

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