1. This is the first time I've visited this Web site. How do I get started?
2. Why do I have to search the site and the databases separately?
3. How do I search the MCH Library's collection of databases?
4. I've scanned the A-Z Topic Index, used the search this site feature, and searched the MCH Library's collection of databases, but I need additional information. What do I do?
5. What's in the MCH Library?
6. Can I contribute my information to the MCH Library?
7. Can I borrow from the MCH Library?
8. How do I find out about maternal and child health publications?
9. How do I find out about other MCH-related organizations?
10. How do I find out about other Web sites that have MCH-related information?
11. How do I find out about projects funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau?
12. How do I find out about maternal and infant health-related materials developed by Healthy Start sites?
13. What is Title V?
14. How do I find data from the Title V State Block Grant applications and reports?
15. What are the current policy issues affecting mothers and children in the United States? How do I stay abreast of new MCH research and findings, policy developments, information about recently released publications, new programs and initiatives, and conferences affecting the MCH community?
16. How do I find information about chronic illnesses and disabilities in children?
17. How do I find clinical medical information?
18. How do I find consumer health information?
19. How do I find data on children's health?
20. How do I identify listservs of specific health professionals or on specific topics, so I can exchange information on my topic with colleagues?
21. What are the technical requirements for viewing the Web site?
22. I am having problems viewing PDF files. Either I see blank pages, or the PDF file is incomplete when it appears on my screen. How can I solve this?
23. I am having problems using the Google "Search This Site" feature. How can I fix this?
24. I am having problems reading the text on this site because it is too small. How can I make this easier?

1. This is the first time I've visited this Web site. How do I get started?

• Start with How to Use This Site.
• For information on a maternal and child health (MCH) topic, scan the A to Z Topic Index first. Be aware that this list covers documents and Web pages, but not all the books in MCHLine®,  the articles in the MCH Alert, and materials in other databases.  To include all the terms in databases and the MCH Alert would make the A-Z list thousands of entries long.
• If your topic is not listed and/or if you want a comprehensive look at the MCH Library Web site, search our site and search the MCH Library's collection of databases.
• See the following questions for more information about the library's Web resources.

2. Why do I have to search the site and the databases separately?

• This site contains MCH Library and National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health (NCEMCH) publications and Web pages that you can read on your screen.  This site also contains databases of thousands of records that describe publications, organizations, and other resources.  The software that searches the site cannot search databases, and the database software cannot search the site, because they are not designed to work together.  At present, the database software cannot search more than one database at a time; we hope to provide cross-database searching in the future.

3. How do I search the MCH Library's collection of databases?

• Learn more about the content of each database.
• Read the database search tips for the databases: MCHLine®, MCH Organizations Database, MCH Projects Database, Healthy Start Collection Database.

4. I've scanned the A-Z Topic Index, used the search this site feature, and searched the MCH Library's collection of databases, but I need additional information. What do I do?

• Contact us! 

5. What's in the MCH Library?

• Read about the MCH Library and its holdings.

6. Can I contribute my information to the MCH Library?

• We are happy to receive your suggestions for topics or reports for inclusion in the MCH Library, including the MCH Alert. However, we cannot guarantee the inclusion of all suggested topics or reports.
• To list an organization in the Organizations Database or to update your existing record electronically, see Update Existing Record/Submit New Record.
• To submit materials for the MCH Library and MCHLine^®, send two copies to

It is helpful to speak to the librarian first to be sure the materials are in scope for the library. You can contact the librarian at (202) 784-9776.

• To suggest an article or report for the MCH Alert, e-mail the MCH Alert editor.

7. Can I borrow from the MCH Library?

• The MCH Library is primarily a reference collection. To obtain copies of materials, users should first contact the publishers or other contact sources listed in the databases or bibliographies, or visit lending libraries in their area such as university or public libraries. When materials are not available from other sources, limited photocopies or loans are available from the MCH Library.
  
  To request materials, contact us at (202) 784-9770 or at mchlibrary@ncemch.org. Photocopies are provided to all audiences; loans are provided directly to health professionals and through interlibrary loan to other audiences (consult your local library for interlibrary loans).
  
  We welcome on-site users. Please schedule an appointment in advance so we may be sure someone will be available to assist you. Library hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

8. How do I find out about maternal and child health publications?

• Search MCHLine®. To assist you, we have developed a set of bibliographies and search tips.
• See the list of publications created by NCEMCH.

9. How do I find out about other MCH-related organizations?

• Search our Organizations Database. To assist you, we have developed a set of organizations lists on popular MCH topics and search tips.

10. How do I find out about other Web sites that have MCH-related information?

• Use MCH Links.

11. How do I find out about projects funded by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau?

• Search the MCH Projects Database.

12. How do I find out about maternal and infant health-related materials developed by Healthy Start sites?

• See the Healthy Start page

13. What is Title V?

• Title V refers to the MCH Services Block Grant, authorized by Title V of the Social Security Act in 1935.  It focuses on improving the health of all mothers and children in the United States; it provides funding to states and other entities for health programs, including direct services, research, training, and other types of programs.
• The booklet Understanding Title V of the Social Security Act is available from the HRSA Information Center.

14. How do I find data from the Title V State Block Grant applications and reports?

• Search the Title V Information System.

15. What are the current policy issues affecting mothers and children in the United States? How do I stay abreast of new MCH research and findings, policy developments, and information about recently released publications, new programs and initiatives affecting the MCH community?

• Subscribe to the MCH Alert.

16. How do I find information about chronic illnesses and disabilities in children?

• Our knowledge path about children with special health care needs provides a wide variety of information on caring for children with chronic illnesses and disabilities and includes lists of organizations that can supply information on specific chronic conditions.  The knowledge path on asthma in children covers this specific topic.

17. How do I find clinical medical information?

• The MCH Library does not provide medical information about specific diseases, disabilities, or genetic or congenital disorders or their treatment except for limited materials produced with the support of the Maternal and Child Health Bureau. To find sources for particular illnesses or conditions, search our MCH Organizations Database and scan MCH Links.

18. How do I find consumer health information?

• Search our MCH Organizations Database; search MCHLine^®; view a list of sources for consumer health materials; and scan MCH Links for a list of links to consumer health-related Web sites.

19. How do I find data on children's health?

• See the annual publication Child Health USA; the latest edition is available from the HRSA Information Center.
• Search MCHLine® using the term Statistics or Data plus terms for the topic you are interested in.  You'll find many publications with a wide variety of data.
• Search the MCH Organizations Database.  You'll find organizations that collect and publish data on many topics.
• Scan the Data section of the MCH Links page for publications, organizations, and other Web sites.

20. How do I identify listservs of specific health professionals or on specific topics, so I can exchange information on my topic with colleagues?

• Search for the term list serv using the Simple Search form for the MCH Organizations Database.
• Scan the knowledge paths for listservs; they are mentioned in the Electronic Newsletters and Discussion Groups section at the end of each path (where we have identified any on that topic).

21. What are the technical requirements for viewing the Web site?

    For the best viewing experience, we recommend updating your browser to the most recent version available for your computer. General browser requirements are Microsoft Internet Explorer 5 or higher or Netscape Navigator 4.7 or higher.

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22. I am having problems viewing PDF files. Either I see blank pages, or the PDF file is incomplete when it appears on my screen. How can I solve this?

• This problem may occur even though Adobe Reader is installed, and you are normally able to view PDF files. Make sure you have the latest verision of Adobe Reader and the latest version of Internet Explorer, which addresses this problem. If you still have problems, download the PDF directly to your computer. When selecting a PDF file, right click (PC) or hold the option key (Apple) while clicking to download the PDF file. Then open and view the PDF copy that is on your computer. If you continue to experience difficulties, please contact our Webmaster.

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24. I am having problems reading the text on this site because it is too small. How can I make this easier?

• You can set your Web browser to change the way it displays its fonts (i.e., make the fonts bigger or smaller). Please read our instructions.