A little known resource exists for citizens of Massachusetts who may be undergoing medical procedures at Massachusetts's health facilities.

It's estimated that 60% of Internet users surf the web for information about health related problems. Few people realize the inherent dangers. Much health information on the web is erroneous, outdated, deliberately misleading, and just plain dangerous. People facing serious medical issues can and should avail themselves of the help of Medical Librarians, who are part of medical teams in most medical facilities. To that end, MAHSLIN, the not-for-profit state organization representing hundreds of Massachusetts Health Sciences Librarians, has prepared a Public Service Announcement:

• To let the public know we exist and can help with patients' questions
• To direct the public to the best governmental resource for consumer health information, MedlinePlus

Health Sciences Librarians, a.k.a. Medical Librarians, are Masters degreed library professionals who specialize in providing medical information to physicians, nurses, clinical personnel and often to patients and their families.

The PSA is laudable in and of itself in the sense that it was written, produced, directed and acted by Medical Librarians in Massachusetts.

The PSA was produced through an Exhibit Award grant from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) New England Region, administered through the National Library of Medicine.