Local Health Sciences Libraries

OAK FOREST HOSPITAL OF COOK COUNTY

PATIENT & PROFESSIONAL LIBRARY

Oak Forest Hospital Patient Library and Professional Library are located on the main floor in the H building. They are physically adjacent to each other. The Library provides resources and services to clinical and non-clinical staff, patients, students, volunteers, Bureau of Health affiliates, outside professional organizations, and the community. The Library supports clinical decision making, continuing education of staff, administrative planning and management, performance improvement, patient/family education and research within the mission, framework and objectives of the Cook County Bureau of Health and Oak Forest Hospital

LIBRARY HOURS

8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday; except for holidays as designated by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. After hour access is available only to hospital staff and can be arranged with the Department of Public Safety via a key call log.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Address Information	Telephone Numbers
Oak Forest Hospital of Cook County Patient & Professional Library 159000 S. Cicero Avenue Oak Forest IL 60452	Circulation: (708) 633-3550 Reference: (708) 633-3551 Fax: (708) 633-3557

LIBRARY RESOURCES

The Professional Library has a substantial book, journal collection and electronic resources covering a range of medical, nursing, allied health and health care management disciplines. It also houses continuing medical education audiovisual materials from Network for Continuing Medicine Education and Audio Digest Foundation, certification and recertification review materials on internal medicine, family medicine and geriatrics.

The Patient Library offers a variety of resources for patients/families and staff. Patient Library has everything from learning-to-read materials to an extensive collection of consumer health books and videotapes/DVDs. It has large print books and books on tapes for persons with visual problems and foreign language materials to serve patients of different ethnic backgrounds. The Patient Library also subscribes to magazines and newspapers.

Users may search the Library's online catalog by author, title, subject and keyword to locate library materials. The online catalog can be accessed from your desktop via ofh01srv27 or via the hospital Intranet page.

LIBRARY SERVICES

ORIENTATION

An introduction to the Patient & Professional Library, the in-house collection and services is available for individuals or small groups. It is strongly advised that new staff and students should participate in this program. Call the Library at extension 33550 to arrange an in-service orientation.

INFORMATION DESK AND BASIC REFERENCE

Staff members provide directions, answer brief information queries, help locate library materials, and make referrals, both in-person and by telephone. Call ext. 33550 or ext.33551.

CIRCULATION

Staff and patients can borrow up to three items each time. A current Oak Forest Hospital ID or patient ID has to been shown for borrowing any library materials.

Loan Periods

General Collection Books: 2 weeks

Reference Books: overnight

Video/Audio Tapes: 1 week

Journals: Non-Circulating

Patient Library Magazines:
    Current Issue - Non-Circulating
    Back Issues - 1 week

LIBRARY USER COMPUTER ACCESS

We have access to Internet and other word processing, spreadsheet capabilities for Library users. There are three computers available in the Professional Library and one available in the Patient Library. Computer use for hospital purposes takes precedence over personal use. The computer located in the Patient Library is intended for patient use only. Hospital staff can only utilize this computer if it is not being used by patients. Computer users are limited to a thirty minute time period if others are waiting. Library User Computer/Internet Access Agreement must be signed for the first time user.

LITERATURE SEARCHES:

Professional literature searches are available to the Oak Forest Hospital staff and patients to assist in provision of quality patient care. A librarian will provide a printout of the results for you after searching the databases and Internet. Upon reviewing the search results you can then request items that the library currently holds or through our document delivery service. Please fill out the Library Information & Literature Search Request Form.

INTERLIBRARY LOAN/DOCUMENT DELIVERY:

Materials not available at the Library can be supplied to patrons from other libraries. Simply submit your request using our Interlibrary Loan Request Form and the library will find a location, request the item and contact you when the item arrives. Rush services are available. Depending upon the individual library policies, a charge may be incurred by the lending libraries. This service is limited to requests pertaining to hospital business. Personal requests can not be addressed.

PHOTOCOPY SERVICE

The copier is available in the library for patron use. The reproduction of the copies on non-hospital related business is prohibited. Reproduction of more than twenty copies should be taken to the Print Shop. An access code is needed to operate the machine.

LOANING OF AUDIOVISUAL EQUIPMENT

A TV/VCR combo and a TV/VCR/DVD player are available in the Professional Library for use. A video magnifier is available in the Patient Library to allow low vision users to examine prescription bottles, do crossword puzzles, work on crafts, read books and magazines, etc. with the benefit of automatic focus. Reservations are encouraged for the use of the audiovisual equipment. All equipment must be signed out by the person borrowing it and signed back in by the person returning it. The Equipment Log is used for this purpose.

BOOK CART SERVICE

Volunteer book cart service is conducted weekly to distribute reading materials to various units and bed-bound patients. Please call 3-3550 to place your request. This service is available for hospitalized patients only.

COORDINATE HOSPITAL-WIDE PURCHASE OF KNOWLEDGE-BASE MATERIAL

The Library coordinates ordering and purchasing of educational materials such as journals and books hospital-wide. All the requisitions must be submitted to the Library for approval to avoid duplicated ordering of materials. These materials are maintained in individual departments and utilized to meet specific education and learning needs.

REQUESTING PURCHASES

If there is an item that you feel strongly should be in the library, a request can be made using the Suggestion for Purchase Form.