How libraries and information centers are promoting HIV/AIDS awareness

[Guest guest]

Hi all,

This is my first email to the group.

I am interested in finding out what type of collboration among the

libraries, information centers, teachers, social workers and IT

professionals exist at present or envisioned in future to spread

awareness about HIV/AIDS in villages of India. Maitrayee Ghosh and

myself are currently working on this reserach paper for a conference

in april 2006.

An abstract for our proposal consists of:

" Information officers serving in Public libraries/ Community

Resource centres ought to take a leading role in educating and

transforming knowledge of and attitudes towards HIV/AIDS through

extensive library programs. Many researchers believe that India has

become home to the largest number of HIV-infected people in the

world. There would be nothing more tragic than seeing a country as

rich in culture and history, and with as much potential, being

destroyed by an epidemic that could be avoided with relatively easy

and inexpensive interventions. Many infected people live in rural

areas do not know that they carry the virus. Many millions more,

know nothing or too little about HIV to protect themselves against

it. Educating people about HIV/AIDS and prevention is a complicated

task as India has many major languages and hundreds of different

dialects. But with the use of convergence technologies these

barriers are possible to over come. One of the keys to successfully

combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic is the creation of an infrastructure

that concurrently develops healthcare networks, education programs,

and community participation. "

What is the role of libraries in the education process about AIDS?

Information Technology? Teachers? Can IT professionals and system

specialists collborate with teachers and librarians to design an

electronic system accessible over the network but at the same time

easy to use by residents of remote villages? Many of the Indian

villages such facilities of libraries and information centers are

probably not available. to overcome this, what needs to be done?

Any feedback you can provide is much appreciated. This will help us

write a paper that acknowledges recent happenings in india to help

people learn about this deadly disease. Again, this can be adapted

to other type health related information later on.

Regards and best wishes for the upcoming new year,

Jay

Jay Bhatt

Information Services Consultant (Engineering)

Hagerty Library, Drexel University

TEL 215-895-1873

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Engineering Resources Blog:

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