Abstract:

This paper seeks to explore the public perception of health information service in public librariesby usingquestionnaire survey, Internet survey and interview. It also investigatesthe status of health information service in National Library of China and other 31 provincial public libraries. The results show that health information services in public libraries mainly includelending health related books, holding exhibitions and lectures, setting health booklets, and providing healthtopic searching within database.Traditional service, cooperative service and selfserviceare the main service models. The results also indicate some problems in health information service of public libraries, such as less attention to health information services, lack of health information resources and health librarians, few cooperation with other organizations, and poor conditions to meet public demands for health information. This study supposes that public libraries should put emphasis on health information service, take health information service as new growing opportunities, promotelibrarians' ability of health information service, cooperate more with other institutions, innovate the content and form of health information service, and positively carry out the Healthy China strategy.

Key words: Public library, Health information service, Health information service mode, Health information resource, Healthy China