Dear Network Members,

Today, February 8, is my last day as NN/LM SCR Associate Director: a position I have found to be one of the most rewarding, challenging, and unique opportunities in medical librarianship. I am grateful to have had this opportunity to work with my colleagues, both in the South Central Region and throughout the US. Working in the RML was never a goal. Honestly, I wasn’t sure what an RML was or did until I joined the NN/LM SCR as the Network Coordinator in 1992! And almost every week during these near 16 years, someone has heard me say, “They don’t teach this to you in library school.” Perhaps that has been the attraction of this environment for me–and the unique position an NN/LM SCR staff member has to give to the profession and those we serve.

When I returned to the NN/LM SCR in 1998 as the Associate Director, I had 4 goals: 1. expand outreach opportunities for Network members and NN/LM SCR staff to meet the health information needs of a broad spectrum of health professionals and consumers, 2. strengthen the education program, 3. cross-train the staff at all levels to ensure quality service for Network members, and 4. keep the NN/LM SCR Staff employed. The NN/LM SCR today reflects these accomplishments. I did not accomplish these goals alone.

A heartfelt thanks goes to current and former NN/LM SCR Staff for working with me to move the SCR forward; our Network members for your support of the NN/LM SCR; NN/LM colleagues for their collegiality, and to the NLM for support of our program, Network members, and NN/LM SCR staff. All of you helped me accomplish what I returned to do.

The time has come for a colleague to have an opportunity to lead the South Central Region; I encourage you to consider it. The position will challenge you; it will provide you with numerous and diverse opportunities to work with the greatest group of regional and national colleagues, and with health professionals and consumers. It is rewarding.

I am looking forward to the challenges, opportunities, and continued work with the NN/LM, on a broader level, in my new position as Outreach Librarian in the National Network Office at the NLM. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with my SCR friends and colleagues and will miss seeing you on a regular basis. I hope to see you at meetings where we can catch up!

Renée

This entry was posted on Friday, February 8th, 2008 at 9:52 am and is filed under General (all entries). You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.