Libraries get new mental health books

By Staff
Melissa Cason
The National Alliance on Mental Illness Shoals donated books on mental illness to three Franklin County libraries this week as part of their educational program for mental illness.
NAMI Shoals Members John Pinion and Roy Skipworth delivered 20 new books on different mental illnesses from schizophrenia to bipolar disorder to the Russellville Public Library, Weatherford Library in Red Bay, and the library at Northwest-Shoals Community College in Phil Campbell.
"We have donated nine sets of books in Colbert and Lauderdale counties in addition to these in Franklin County," Pinion said.
Russellville librarian Deborah Barnett said many people come into the library looking for information to supplement that given to them by a doctor.
"A lot of times, what happens is, people go to the doctor and get a diagnosis, but the doctor tells them nothing about it so they come here for research," Barnett said.
"Donations like this help us keep our medical books current as required by the state."
Barnett said several years ago she attended a meeting where it was announced that all medical books must have been printed within the last five years in order to be available.
"When we got back, we had to throw out about 300 books," Barnett recalled.
Besides having requirements to be current, Barnett said it's a good idea to keep all medical material as current as possible because of the ever-changing nature of the field.
Barnett said the books would be available for check out in the next week or so.
"There are several steps books have to go through here at the library before they can go on the shelf," Barnett said.
Skipworth said the money funding these book sets come through the United Way.
"We are a United Way Agency so we are fortunate enough to provide services such as this to the public," Skipworth said.
NAMI Shoals is an organization dedicated to advocacy, support and education of people with mental illness and their families in the Shoals area.
The organization holds both support meetings and education meetings.
For more information on NAMI Shoals, call 765-2081.