Forest Institute opens new public mental health library

As part of the Forest Institute of Professional Psychology, the Larry and Meredith Bass Public Mental Health Library opened Nov. 8 inside the west doors of the Robert J. Murney Clinic, 1322 S. Campbell Ave.

Dr. Larry Bass was a psychologist; the couple served as mentors in the local community.

Shelley Vaugine, director of library services for the Forest Institute, said the mission of the library is to educate the community on mental health issues.

“What we have seen in the past five to 10 years is a very grassroots movement in the consumer health market,” Vaugine said.

“One of the issues that has never been addressed, or (that) seems to have gaping holes, is mental health. We are hoping to fill that and open to the public information needs.”

Medical libraries

The Larry and Meredith Bass Public Mental Health Library has been designated a medical library through the guidelines of the Medical Library Association, and provides books pamphlets and access to databases of full-text articles.

Trained librarians also are on hand to assist in patron searches for information.

Vaugine said the Medical Library Association represents not only hospital libraries, but also academic libraries that have medical focuses, and psychology fits in that focus.

“The Medical Library Association says 60 percent of the collection can be no older than five years,” Vaugine said. “We have set the library up on those standards. There is brand new information on drugs (and) current therapies.”

Materials in the library were provided through Forest Institute, Vaugine said, and materials are available to be checked out with no fees.

Inter-library loans also are available through Forest Institute.

The new library is one of a few public mental health libraries in Missouri. And some institutional libraries are not open to the public, Vaugine said.

“There are some mental health libraries in the state, but they are associated with large state institutions. This is a small, free-standing library where people feel more comfortable coming,” she said.

Consumer classes will be offered through the library.

“Starting in December, I will be doing ‘How to Find Good Health Information on the Web,’” Vaugine said.

A date has not been set for this class but will be announced on the library’s Web site, accessed through www.forest.edu.

InfoRx is another service offered at the Public Mental Health Library.

Through InfoRx, a program at several consumer health libraries, doctors can write out information prescriptions for topics that patients need to learn about.

“We will gather that information and have it ready for the client to take home,” she said.

MSU partnership

Forest Institute’s Murney Clinic was chosen as the location of the new library because it was centrally located, and there was space available in the facility.

“What we were trying to do is (make it so) people who may not have transportation and may rely on mass transit could get to the library (easily), as well as people who have their own transportation,” Vaugine said.

Missouri State University is working with the new library through a partnership that provided Vaugine as the director.

“I think it’s a tremendous advancement for the clinic,” said Karen Horny, dean of library services at MSU. “We are trying to work more closely together.”

The Larry and Meredith Bass Public Mental Health Library is open Tuesday through Thursday, noon–9 p.m.

Remembering the Basses

Dr. Larry Bass was a psychologist in Springfield, and he and his wife, Meredith, were mentors to many local people, including Mark Skrade, president of Forest Institute.

“We wanted something that would be a lasting tribute to them,” Vaugine said. “They have given a lot to the community.”