Guest Editorial

Abstract

The article comments that health issues and their challenges remain a priority agenda for libraries, museums and archives. The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council believes that the sector makes a considerable contribution to people's general health, mental health and well-being. They provide a wealth of information on health and lifestyle, a provision which is given a new focus in the Public Library targets for health. The sector's contribution to specific health targets, such as a drop in the number of people who have cancer or smoke, of older people who get injured in a fall and teenage girls who become pregnant is of importance. Libraries and specialized health libraries have long made a contribution, providing information, raising awareness and developing capacity.