Newswise — Across the nation, communities, schools, and even The Cancer Institute of New Jersey (CINJ) are celebrating the contributions of their libraries and librarians during this year's National Library Week (April 12 " 18). Sponsored by the American Library Association, this recognition originated in the mid-1950's to preserve an important pastime of reading during a struggling battle with the new medium of television. CINJ's library is known as The Resource and Learning Center (RLC).
Since 2004, the RLC has become a source of comfort and information for many patients and family members unfamiliar with the many aspects of cancer. Here, educational materials such as books (for both children and adults), health magazines, videos, and CD-ROMs can be accessed to provide information on a variety of topics, such as cancer prevention, diagnosis and treatment; cancer research studies; nutrition; caregiving; and end of life issues. Additionally, the RLC provides Internet access for health research and information, as well as access to a learning room for support group meetings, classes and events.
Information is also accessible through the center's online website: www.cinj.org/rlc. The RLC, which is open to both patients and members of the general public, is located on the second floor at CINJ and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
CINJ " a Center of Excellence at UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School " is one of only a handful of the nation's 40 Comprehensive Cancer Centers to have a resource library for patients on site. CINJ is New Jersey's only cancer center to receive the Comprehensive Cancer Center designation from the National Cancer Institute, based on numerous components, including patient education.
CINJ experts available for comment include:
Leah Scaramuzzo, MSN, RN, C, AOCN, is the interim associate director of Intra and Extramural Nursing Education at CINJ and is the chair of the Patient Education Committee. Scaramuzzo oversees -- and has been instrumental in building -- the RLC and can discuss the importance of a wide variety of educational and resource materials being made readily available to cancer patients, especially following diagnosis.
Janet Lasin, MLS, BS, is the medical librarian at CINJ's RLC. She plays a critical role in reviewing and selecting all multi-media materials for the RLC and assists patients, family members, and members of the community in selecting appropriate cancer-related materials tailored to their individual needs. Lasin also helps patients navigate health-related websites and can discuss what role the Internet and web-based information now plays in a patient's journey through cancer.
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