**Publisher:** EBSCO Information Services
**Subjects Covered:** Health, wellness, medicine, nutrition, fitness, mental health, alternative therapies, and patient education

Overview

The Consumer Health Reference eBook Collection is part of EBSCO’s eBook Collection series and provides unlimited, full‑text access to a curated selection of authoritative health and wellness books. The collection is designed for students, educators, and general readers who want reliable, easy‑to‑understand information on a wide range of physical and mental health topics. It complements Consumer Health Complete by offering long‑form, book‑length coverage of health conditions and treatments rather than short articles or multimedia summaries.

Scope and Content

• Number of Titles: More than 500 eBooks (varies by subscription and updates).
• Content Types: Reference handbooks, consumer health guides, medical encyclopedias, patient care manuals, and self‑help titles.
• Key Topics: Diseases and conditions, fitness, diet and nutrition, child and adolescent health, aging, substance abuse, emotional wellness, and alternative medicine.
• Sources and Publishers: Includes reputable publishers such as Harvard Health Publications, Johns Hopkins Press, Houghton Mifflin, and American Heart Association.
• Formats: Full‑text PDF and EPUB versions; printable and searchable.
• Access: Unlimited simultaneous users (institution‑wide).
• Update Frequency: Periodically updated with new and revised titles.

Strengths

• Authoritative content from trusted publishers and medical organizations.
• Comprehensive coverage for general readers seeking book‑length explanations.
• Unlimited simultaneous use with no check‑out limits or wait times.
• User‑friendly EBSCO eBook interface with highlighting, bookmarking, and citation tools.
• Cross‑platform integration with other EBSCO databases for seamless searching.

Limitations

• Consumer‑level focus; not suitable for advanced medical or clinical research.
• Some titles may be dated in fast‑changing fields such as genetics or pharmacology.
• Text‑only format; lacks multimedia components found in Consumer Health Complete.
• Not peer‑reviewed; designed for general understanding rather than scholarly citation.
• Less interactive than web‑based encyclopedias or multimedia databases.

Best For

• Students in introductory health, biology, or wellness courses needing background context.
• Campus wellness and outreach programs building educational displays or reading lists.
• Faculty and librarians curating approachable health literacy materials.
• General readers seeking reliable and plain‑language health and lifestyle guidance.

Complementary Databases

Overall Evaluation

The Consumer Health Reference eBook Collection is a strong supporting resource for health and wellness education, offering authoritative, full‑text eBooks for students, educators, and general readers. It provides accessible, in‑depth coverage suitable for undergraduate learning, community outreach, and wellness initiatives. For South Dakota Mines, it enhances student and public engagement with evidence‑informed health resources and pairs effectively with Consumer Health Complete.

Ask Digby – Library Help

Need help evaluating sources or accessing databases? Ask Digby, the Devereaux Library’s friendly prairie dog mascot! Digby can assist with off‑campus access, citation tools, and choosing the right databases for your research.

📧 Email: library@sdsmt.edu

🌐 Chat: Ask Digby
🔗 Library Catalog (Primo): https://sdsmt.primo.exlibrisgroup.com

📍 Devereaux Library, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD