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DHSS Press Release

Dr. Kara Odom Walker, Secretary
Jill Fredel, Director of Communications
302-255-9047, Pager 302-357-7498
Email: jill.fredel@delaware.gov

Date: February 17, 2017
DHSS-02-2017

DHSS LIBRARY SELECTED TO HOST TRAVELING EXHIBITION ABOUT NATIVE CONCEPTS OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS

NEW CASTLE (Feb. 17, 2017) - The Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Library has been selected in a competitive application process to host "Native Voices: Native Peoples' Concepts of Health and Illness," a traveling exhibition to U.S. libraries. The DHSS Library will host the exhibition between March 1 and April 12, 2017.

"Native Voices" explores the interconnectedness of wellness, illness and cultural life for Native Americans, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. Stories drawn from both the past and present examine how health for Native People is tied to community, the land and spirit. Through interviews, Native People describe the impact of epidemics, federal legislation, the loss of land, and the inhibition of culture on the health of Native individuals and communities today.

"We are so pleased to bring the National Library of Medicine's fascinating exhibition to the Delaware community," said Alison Wessel, DHSS Library Director. "We look forward to bringing together valuable community partners to provide educational workshops in conjunction with the exhibition to enhance visitors' learning about these powerful concepts."

As one of 104 grant recipients selected from across the country, the DHSS Library will host the traveling exhibition for a six-week loan during its tour of the United States from February 2016 to June 2020. The exhibition will be on display at the DHSS Library in the Springer Building at DHSS' Herman Holloway Campus 1901 N. DuPont Highway, New Castle. The library is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. There is no charge to view the exhibition.

"Native Voices: Native Peoples' Concepts of Health and Illness" was displayed at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Md., from 2011 to 2015. To learn more and view content from the exhibition, visit http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nativevoices.

A schedule of the exhibition and related events at the DHSS Library is available at http://guides.lib.de.us/nativevoices.

Contact

Alison Wessel, Director of Library and Information Services, Department of Health and Social Services Library, 302-255-2986 or alison.wessel@delaware.gov

About the American Library Association

The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with approximately 55,000 members in academic, public, school, government and special libraries. The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.

About the National Library of Medicine

The National Library of Medicine (NLM), on the campus of the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md., has been a center of information innovation since its founding in 1836. The world's largest biomedical library, the National Library of Medicine maintains and makes available a vast print collection and produces electronic information resources on a wide range of topics that are searched billions of times each year by millions of people around the globe. It also supports and conducts research, development, and training in biomedical informatics and health information technology. In addition, the Library coordinates a 6,000-member National Network of Libraries of Medicine that promotes and provides access to health information in communities across the United States.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.

DHSS LIBRARY SELECTED TO HOST TRAVELING EXHIBITION ABOUT NATIVE CONCEPTS OF HEALTH AND ILLNESS

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