On September 16, 2008, the NN/LM SCR will offer two free classes from the NN/LM Outreach Evaluation Resource Center (http://nnlm.gov/evaluation/) at the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library.

8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Answering the Right Questions: Data Collection for Health Information Outreach (4 hours)

In this workshop, participants will learn to apply good principles of data collection to assure that data - both qualitative and quantitative - will be useful in making project decisions.

The emphasis will be on efficient methods that can keep data collection at a manageable level. Topics will include using evaluation questions to focus data collection; conducting short, to-the-point interviews to collect outcome data; using a “contact sheet” to organize interview notes and communicate findings with other team members; using participatory methods to get information from a large number of community members; using standard “counts” (attendance rates; drop-out rates) as evaluation data; and designing and administering short questionnaires.

By the end of the project, participants will be able to:

• Use end-of-session and session-follow-up questionnaires effectively
• Design short questionnaires and interview guides that can be used to collect very targeted feedback
• Design participatory methods to collect qualitative data from a larger group of individuals
• Identify existing information (e.g., attendance) collected for other reporting purposes that can be used for evaluation

1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Finding Information in Numbers and Words: Data Analysis for Health Information Outreach (4 hours)

Participants will learn basic methods for compiling and analyzing qualitative and quantitative evaluation data to maximize their usefulness in project improvement and decision-making.

Discussion, presentations, and exercises will cover compiling and analyzing evaluation data. For quantitative data, participants will learn to use descriptive statistics and graphs to make sense of their data. For qualitative methods, participants will learn to organize and code text-based data, then analyze it. Topics will include analyzing qualitative data (e.g., developing and using codes, summarizing, interpreting); compiling and graphing descriptive statistics; and exploring the validity of evaluation findings.

By the end of the session, participants will be able to:

• Code text-based (qualitative) data, summarize findings, and use the findings to make improvements or decisions about health outreach programs
• Graph quantitative data to develop visual pictures of findings
• Summarize numerical (quantitative) data using frequencies, percentages, means, medians, and modes
• Interpret findings and use them to make improvements and decisions about health outreach programs

To register for either of these classes: http://nnlm.gov/scr/training/

Please contact Karen Vargas at 713-799-7880 or karen.vargas@exch.library.tmc.edu for more information.

The NN/LM SCR will be offering the class Public Health Information on the Web at the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library on September 10, 2008 from 8:30 am – 12:30 pm.

Course description:

The field of public health encompasses a wide array of disciplines including health education, epidemiology and nursing. Digital literacy and the effective utilization of online information are among the core public health informatics competencies for the 21st century. This hands-on class will highlight web resources tailored to the public health workforce.

At the completion of the class, participants will be able to:

* Define the role of information in the public health environment
* Identify resources to support health education and promotional programs and activities
* Retrieve information in support of evidence-based public practice
* Obtain data sets and statistics relevant to public health on a state, local and national level

To register for the class: http://resource.library.tmc.edu/classes/index.cfm#225

The NN/LM SCR will be offering the class Keeping Up with NLM’s PubMed at the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library on October 6, 2008 from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm.

This hands-on class will show attendees how to use the features of PubMed effectively. Topics include: formatting and revising searches; displaying, printing and saving searches; and utilizing special features and tools. This course has been approved for 4 hours of Medical Library Association (MLA) Continuing Education credits.

For more information on the class: http://nnlm.gov/training/keepingup/

To register: http://resource.library.tmc.edu/classes/index.cfm#223

This class is free and open to anyone.

If you have any questions, please contact Re Mishra at: ruicha.mishra@exch.library.tmc.edu.

The NN/LM SCR will present two classes at the University of Arkansas Medical School in Little Rock, AR on September 23, 2008.

Can You Hear Me Now? How to Make a Podcast
9:00 am to 11:00 am

This popular, hands-on class provides a fun and informative introduction to podcasting and how you can utilize this technology in your library. Students will make their own personal podcast! This course has been approved for 2 hours of Medical Library Association (MLA) Continuing Education credits.

ABCs of DNA: Unraveling the Mystery of Genetics Information for Consumers
12:30 pm to 4:30 pm

Librarians working with the public need to be aware of the issues surrounding genetics and resources to assist patrons in locating and evaluating sometimes complex and confusing information. This class explores basic concepts such as genes and chromosomes and offers an overview of genetic disorders, genetic testing, genetic counseling, and the Human Genome Project. Ethical and legal issues associated with genetic disorders will be covered with regard to privacy, discrimination, and potential legislative impact on medicine and society. A variety of reliable health information resources will be demonstrated. This 4-hour hands-on class is intended for consumers, public librarians, and health sciences librarians who work with the public.

For a detailed class schedule with times and locations see: http://nnlm.gov/scr/training/.

To register for a class: http://nnlm.gov/scr/training/register.html.

If you have any questions, please contact Karen Vargas at karen.vargas@exch.library.tmc.edu.

Can You Hear Me Now? How to Make a Podcast class will be offered September 4-5, 2008 in Tulsa and Oklahoma City, OK, and September 9, 2008 in Lubbock, TX. This popular, hands-on class provides a fun and informative introduction to podcasting and how you can utilize this technology in your library. Students will make their own personal podcast! This course has been approved for 2 or 3 hours of Medical Library Association (MLA) Continuing Education credits.

For a detailed class schedule with times and locations see: http://nnlm.gov/scr/training/.

To register for a class: http://nnlm.gov/scr/training/register.html.

If you have any questions, please contact Shikun “KK” Jiang at: shikun.jiang@exch.library.tmc.edu.

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region (NN/LM SCR) has scheduled two additional classes at the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) Library this summer. Can You Hear Me Now? How to Make a Podcast, June 25, 2008, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm and ABCs of DNA: Unraveling the Mystery of Genetics Information for Consumers, August 12, 2008, 8:30 am to 12:30 pm.

To register for these classes, please go to: http://nnlm.gov/scr/training/.

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The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region is glad to announce the new class: Can You Hear Me Now: How to Make a Podcast. The class can be offered in either a 2-hour schedule or a 3-hour schedule. This hands-on class is designed to provide a fun yet informative introduction to what is podcasting and how you can utilize this technology in your library services, to enable your users to access the information whenever they want, wherever they want and however they want it. Basic steps and suggestions on how to make a podcast will be covered and students will be able to enjoy hands-on practice on popular audio recording and editing software and make their first personal podcast!

This course has been approved for 2 or 3 hours of Medical Library Association (MLA) Continuing Education credits. For more information about the class, please go to: http://nnlm.gov/training/podcast/index.html.

If you are interested in hosting this class at your institution free of charge, please contact Shikun Jiang at: shikun.jiang@exch.library.tmc.edu.

As millions of Americans depend on public libraries for free access to computers and Internet resources, the increasing demand from the users and the growing community needs such as seeking educational, entrepreneurial and employment resources have put great pressure on the public libraries to get reliable, affordable and high-quality Internet access.

The “Internet Connectivity in U.S. Public Libraries” report is provided by the American Library Association (ALA) Office for Research & Statistics. It describes the range of Internet services public libraries provide and the diverse challenges faced by different types of libraries in order to improve Internet connectivity to their communities through the library. The document also links to related research on bandwidth in the United States.

The report includes the following sections:

• U.S. public libraries provide critical access to Internet services.
• Library Internet access speeds are improving, but often fall short of patron needs.
• Urban/suburban/rural communities face different Internet connectivity challenges.
• Libraries face unique challenges in meeting demand for high-speed Internet access.

Read the full article at: http://www.ala.org/ala/ors/plftas/connectivitybrief1.pdf.

The course described below, originally announced on Blogadillo March 18, 2008, has been approved by the Medical Library Association for the Consumer Health Information Specialization (CHIS) program, Level II. For more information on the CHIS program, please go to http://mlanet.org/education/chc/

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The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) free online course: “Unified Health Communication 101: Addressing Health Literacy, Cultural Competency, and Limited English Proficiency” has now been approved for 5 Medical Library Association (MLA) Continuing Education Contact Hours.

This free online course will help to improve your communication skills with patients and increase your awareness of health literacy and cultural compentency. Additional information about the course can be found at:

http://www.hrsa.gov/healthliteracy/training.htm

The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) free online course: “Unified Health Communication 101: Addressing Health Literacy, Cultural Competency, and Limited English Proficiency” has now been approved for 5 Medical Library Association (MLA) Continuing Education Contact Hours.

This free online course will help to improve your communication skills with patients and increase your awareness of health literacy and cultural compentency. Additional information about the course can be found at:

http://www.hrsa.gov/healthliteracy/training.htm