What is the Blue Trunk Library Project?

The Blue Trunk Library (BTL) is a collection of about one hundred and fifty books and practical manuals on medicine and public health, plus subscriptions to three medical and health journals.  The mini-library is contained in a blue metal trunk for ease of transport and for storage purposes.

Many people have commented on the need for health workers to be able to use the latest appropriate health information; however, all too often, this information is not readily at hand.  Because of this, the WHO has put together a small collection of books, especially aimed at district health teams, which will give health workers the up-to-date practical information they need in their everyday work.

Priority has been given to WHO manuals on subjects of relevance to your country, because they contain the type of practical information most needed and are quick and easy to use. We have included books and manuals which will be of interest to different types of district health care workers - doctors, nurses, midwives, nursing aides and auxiliaries.
 
Who is the Blue Trunk Library for?

The Blue Trunk Library has been designed for practical use by district health teams and district hospitals by doctors, nurses, administrators, midwives, public health workers and health auxiliaries.

Doctors, nurses, administrators, midwives, primary health care workers and health auxiliaries specific to each country, such as traditional birth attendants and healers - the collection has tried to cater for all needs.  The manuals in the collection contain a wealth of material which can be used by all levels of health staff.  One subject, such as malaria, could be treated from different points of view that would suit either doctors, nurses, midwives or auxiliaries. Thought has also been given to meeting the needs of people who cannot read.
 
Suggested Materials for Health Workers

Doctors: The medical books have been chosen for easy reference, as well as to increase health knowledge and to continue education and training, for example, Management of severe Malaria: a practical handbook

Administrators and administrative staff: There are manuals on management, the collection of statistical information, epidemiology and community health which are all of relevance and easily accessible to administrators.

Nurses and midwives: The manuals in the collection represent the needs of these health care workers, especially given the importance of their role in primary health care, for example Helping mothers to breastfeed.

Nursing aides will find material that is clear and practical, with diagrams and pictures, for example Malaria: a manual for community health workers.

Auxiliaries can benefit from examples of material that could be produced from the collection, with the help of the person responsible for the library and the health staff, for example comic-strip cartoon intended for young children.
 
How to Find BTL Materials in the DOH central Library

1. Researchers may use the Online Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) or

2. Refer to the list of BTL materials below.