Congratulations to our two awardees!

Institution: Hospital for Special Surgery- Kim Barrett Memorial Library, New York, NY

Project Manager: Timothy Roberts, MLS, AHIP

Project Title: Senior Access to Health Information

Project Summary: Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) strives to be branded as the most trusted educator of patients, the public, and health professions.  To ensure excellence, the Education Division at HSS fosters learning environments that will provide professional and community education programs. The Senior Access to Health Information Program (SAHIP) is a program designed through the partnership of the HSS Kim Barrett Memorial Library (KBML) and the HSS Greenberg Academy for Successful Aging  (GASA) with two primary objectives: to integrate health information resources from National Library of Medicine (NLM) into the existing GASA community outreach and health education curriculum; and implement a series of computer training programs, age and information appropriate, for seniors that address computer literacy and accessing health information from NLM, the National Institutes for Health (NIH) and other credible health information sources.

Award Amount: $10,000

Institution: New York University Health Sciences Libraries, New York, NY

Project Manager: Francesca Gany, MD, MS

Project Title: HEALP : Health Education on Access through Libraries and Peers; A Pilot Project

Project Summary: All immigrants have a right to medical treatment in New York, and many low-income immigrants can enroll in public health insurance coverage, regardless of their immigration status. HEALP will create a partnership between the NYU Health Sciences Libraries, the NYU Center for Immigrant Health and the New York City School system to equip the school librarian with the knowledge and skills to teach health care system access to student peer educators, and to provide students with formal and informal opportunities to discuss health issues with adults and peers in an atmosphere of mutual respect and factual discussion. The HEALP goal is to enhance student health literacy by training librarians and student peer educators on how to appropriately access health care information in general, and information on health system utilization in particular. The school librarian will be the focal point for health knowledge and information and will work closely with the NYU Health Science Libraries, the NYU Center for Immigrant Health, and school administrators and guidance counselors to supervise a group of student peer educators to enable effective information dissemination.

Award Amount: $9,964

The purpose of the NN/LM MAR Outreach Training awards is for Full and Affiliate Network members to train and promote awareness of the products and services of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and NN/LM: http://nnlm.gov/mar/funding/outreachtraining.html

If you are traveling to Honolulu, HI for the Medical Library Association annual conference, add these two events to your schedule:

1. NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region Network Member Session

Sunday, May 17, 7-8 am, Hawaii Convention Center Room 319B

Hear an RML update, meet Kate Oliver, MAR’s new Associate Director, and connect with other MAR members.

2. National Library of Medicine Sunrise Seminar: NLM Online Users’ Meeting

Monday, May 18, 6:30-7:30am, Hawaii Convention Center Room 318AB

NLM staff will highlight recent accomplishments and indicate new developments in a variety of online systems, including MEDLINE/PubMed, MedlinePlus, and DOCLINE. PubMed will be undergoing a major redesign, and the sunrise session will feature mock ups and more details.

Aloha!

Network Services Coordinator
National Network of Libraries of Medicine Middle Atlantic Region

NYU Health Sciences Libraries seeks to fill the position of Network Services Coordinator for the Middle Atlantic Region (MAR) of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. The mission of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) is to advance the progress of medicine and improve the public health by providing all U.S. health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving the public’s access to information to enable them to make informed decisions about their health. The Middle Atlantic Region (MAR) office serves NN/LM members in Delaware, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

Overall Responsibilities

The Network Services Coordinator plans and organizes resource sharing and network programs in consultation with the MAR Resource Sharing Committee. Manages the DOCLINE program of the Region, offering training and consultation. Ensures compliance with all NLM requirements for members using DOCLINE and LinkOut.

Reports to RML Associate Director.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Administers the DOCLINE and LinkOut programs of the NN/LM for the Region ensuring accuracy of the member information in the directory. Sees that membership certificates are distributed in a timely manner;
2. Staffs the MAR Resource Sharing Committee and encourages their participation in the development of region-wide resource sharing efforts;
3. Trains all RML staff on the fundamentals of DOCLINE and interlibrary loan, so they can answer basic questions from members;
4. Works five hours per month in a network member’s Document Delivery or interlibrary loan department;
5. Develops training programs using Adobe Connect, online tutorials and simple printed instructions for training staff in a variety of libraries on use of the DOCLINE and LinkOut systems; provides individual or group consultation on use of DOCLINE and LinkOut if needed;
6. Encourages use of EFTS and helps problem solve with librarians who cannot use it, due to technical or administrative problems;
7. Is training point of contact with other RMLs and the National Library of Medicine’s staff to be expert on current and upcoming system changes or technology developments in areas affecting resource sharing. Attends monthly teleconferences and provides regular feedback to NLM on problems or concerns of MAR members in regard to resource sharing;
8. Organizes user testing of new technologies and systems for NLM if requested;
9. Participates in all RML staff activities including exhibits, state liaison efforts, network member questions, implementation of region-wide programs including but not limited to Emergency Preparedness and Historical Collections and in offering training;
10. Develops and manage the NN/LM MAR RML Consultants program;
11. Develops a program to recruit new members, including a recruitment kit;
12. Oversees the annual contact process to ensure that the appropriate information is gathered and compiled;
13. Develops and implements a region-wide member recruitment program for public libraries;
14. Other related duties as required.

Skills and Requirements

MLS and at least 5 years experience in health sciences libraries. Knowledge of DOCLINE, LinkOut and related technology and cataloging issues preferred. Excellent communications, project management and team skills.

Salary begins at $60,000, with the NYU Medical Center benefits package. S/he is considered an employee of the New York University School of Medicine, which is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Information on the Middle Atlantic Region of the NN/LM is at http://nnlm.gov/mar/.

Applicants should send their resume and a letter of application to:

Ms. Terry Serra
NYU Health Sciences Libraries
NYU Langone Medical Center
550 First Avenue
New York, NY  10016
Fax: (212) 263-6534
jobs@library.med.nyu.edu
http://library.med.nyu.edu

The intention of the new Evaluation webpage on the MAR web site is two-fold. The page provides information on the evaluation activities conducted by the MAR staff to benefit members (http://nnlm.gov/mar/evaluation/ ). Secondly, the Evaluation page presents tools and resources to help guide network members through the evaluation process (http://nnlm.gov/mar/evaluation/evaluationtools.html ).

If you have comments or suggestions for improvements or new additions to the Evaluation page, please let me know. Are you considering evaluating your library services? If you need assistance in developing an evaluation plan, please contact Sue Hunter: sue.hunter@med.nyu.edu .

We are now in Year 3 of the five year NN/LM contract (2006-2011). The MAR network member needs assessment was completed in Year 1 followed by the development of the Strategic Program Plan in that same year. Let’s take a look at the Strategic Plan objectives for Year 2 to see which have been achieved so far and those that are in progress, along with the action taken for each.

Stay tuned to the MAR web site for achievement updates.

2007‐2008 (Year 2) Library Improvement

1. Begin focused program for librarian mentoring and coaching in management, advocacy, and marketing the library through one or more pilot programs.

STATUS: In Progress
ACTION TAKEN: Planning Awards incorporating this objective were announced in August 2008 but there were no applications. This objective will be incorporated into the Library Improvement objective (#2) in Year 3 which outlines a MAR Leadership Institute.

2. Conduct planning for a Value of Libraries Study to be conducted in the region in
Year 3.

STATUS: Achieved
ACTION TAKEN: The Value of Libraries Planning Committee has worked for the past year planning for a research study. Currently the committee is in the final stages of putting the research study together including the development of a questionnaire instrument. The Value of Libraries Planning Study website documents the committee activity, http://nnlm.gov/mar/about/value.html

3. Create an information and education program on e‐resources for hospital libraries and consortia. Address both licensing issues and resource evaluation. Suggest best practices for licensing and identify cost effective e‐resources with emphasis on evidence‐based medicine. Add a section to the MAR Website on e‐licensing tips and experiences.

STATUS: In Progress
ACTION TAKEN: A new online class, Licensing Electronic Resources, will be offered in March 2009. A web page on e-licensing tips and resources is in the works.

4. Create a virtual forum as a new way for librarians to keep up with technology innovations, licensing trends, and open access initiatives and their impact on health sciences libraries.

STATUS: Achieved
ACTION TAKEN: A new Technology Resources tab on the MAR website, http://nnlm.gov/mar/technology/, features freely available innovative tools. The new MAR Electronic Journals and Open Access web page, http://nnlm.gov/mar/rsdd/openaccess.html, provides links to open access resources in the health sciences field. Technology Committee members provide blog entries in the MARquee (http://nnlm.gov/mar/blog/category/technology/) about how they use current technology in their libraries.

5. Create a MAR informational tool about regional consortia to encourage individual hospital librarians to take advantage of local expertise and opportunities and to give existing consortia members or those considering consortia practical information and guidance on common issues.

STATUS: Achieved
ACTION TAKEN: The MAR Resource Sharing Committee developed a useful web page with up-to-date information on regional consortia, http://nnlm.gov/mar/rsdd/consortia.html

6. Strengthen hospital library capability to provide remote access to their electronic resources through training and technology awards. Investigate the need for central hosting of e‐resources and Websites for hospital libraries for remote access by their patrons.

STATUS: In Progress
ACTION TAKEN: Based on results of the investigation, MAR is developing an informational webpage to include a directory of resources and services available for remotely hosting e-resources. Awards to promote this objective will be available in winter 2009.

2007‐2008 (Year 2) Outreach

1. Communicate to all network members the outreach priorities established by the RAC through the MAR blog, Website, and RML consultants.

STATUS: Achieved
ACTION TAKEN: The MAR Strategic Plan is mounted on the MAR website, http://nnlm.gov/mar/about/pdf/marstrategicplan.pdf; additionally, the outreach priorities are included in the description of applicable outreach award announcements.

2. Frame awards in terms of the outreach priorities and change the review process to include value for priority programs.

STATUS: Achieved
ACTION TAKEN: The Awards program was revised based on the strategic plan priorities, http://nnlm.gov/mar/funding/

3. Promote Loansome Doc to hospitals and unaffiliated professionals – especially the target groups.

STATUS: In Progress
ACTION TAKEN: MAR announced the Electronic Access/Document Delivery Access to Health Information Awards (http://nnlm.gov/mar/funding/docdelivery.html) in Fall 2008 to promote Loansome Doc service throughout the region. A newly developed MAR tri-fold brochure explaining Loansome Doc registration and use is available on the MAR website, http://nnlm.gov/mar/training/ldtrifold.pdf . MAR will launch a questionnaire of non-Loansome Doc libraries.

An update on the progress of Year 3 objectives will be forthcoming later this winter.

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Sue Hunter or 800.338.7657.

On December 9, 2008, the National Library of Medicine conducted a mid-contract site visit of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Middle Atlantic Region (NN/LM MAR). MAR staff presented a program review of our activities to date as well as our plans for the remainder of the contract. Our network members also participated in the site visit by sharing in a feedback session on how MAR and NLM can better serve them. If you participated in the network member feedback session or the member questionnaire that prefaced the site visit, we would like to thank you for your input!

The final report from the site visit team is available on MAR’s Plans and Reports page, or you can read it here.

We hope to use the information from the site visit as we work toward our contract goals in the current contract.

MAR invites applications for the position of Associate Director. See the full job announcement and application instructions.

NN/LM MAR will offer two sessions of the class Measuring Your Impact: Using Evaluation for Library Advocacy this November. One session will be held in New York City at NYU’s Frederick L. Ehrman Medical Library on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.. The other session of the same class will be held in Hershey, Pennsylvania at the Penn State College of Medicine, George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library on Friday, November 21, 2008 from 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m..

Class Description:

Show the value of your libraries’ services. The ultimate goal of this class is to insure that library users and stakeholders will recognize and value the importance of their library’s services and of the librarian to the organization. Participants will become familiar with an evaluation process by using methods and tools for assessment, evaluation planning, creating logic models, data collection and reporting. The workshop will feature a case-based scenario that moves participants through the steps of an evaluation process. Class discussion, lecture, and exercises will help participants take away the skills needed to show the value of their library’s services.

Upon completion class attendees will receive 6 hours MLA CE credit.

Instructors:

Maryanne Blake, Outreach/Evaluation Coordinator, NN/LM, Pacific Northwest Region, University of Washington, Seattle, WA.

Sue Hunter, Planning and Evaluation Coordinator, NN/LM, Middle Atlantic Region, NYU Health Sciences Libraries, New York, NY.

Class Details:

Session 1: Wednesday, November 19, 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: New York University, Frederick L. Ehrman Medical Library, 550 First Ave., NY, NY.

Session 2: Friday, November 21, 2008, 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Penn State College of Medicine, George T. Harrell Health Sciences Library, 500 University Dr., Hershey, PA.

Register for the class by sending an email to rml@library.med.nyu.edu. Please specify which class session you plan to attend. Registration is free. Class break refreshments and lunch are provided for attendees. The classes are limited in size. Please register by October 30, 2008. Directions and classroom locations will be provided to registrants closer to the class date.

Hurricane Ike, South Central Region Medical Libraries, Hurricane Web Links, and a New Listserv.

As many of you are aware, the South Central RML is currently closed, and will remain closed until Thursday, September 18^th, due to affects of Hurricane Ike.  In accordance with the NN/LM National Emergency Preparedness & Response plan, South Central’s buddy RML, the Middle Atlantic Region (MAR), is backing up the office by taking calls and redirecting DOCLINE, when necessary.  A special thanks to MAR staff for temporarily taking on this important responsibility.

For information on emergency preparedness planning for libraries as well as some post-disaster updates, see the NN/LM Emergency Preparedness & Response Toolkit at http://nnlm.gov/ep/. I am pleased to report that the toolkit received a lot of traffic the day before Hurricane Ike struck the Gulf Coast, which shows that libraries are using the toolkit as a preparedness resource.  To see additional updates (or provide a status report), check the SCR blog, Blogadillo, at http://nnlm.gov/scr/blog/.

Also of note, the National Library of Medicine home page has added a news item on hurricane resources, “Online Resources for Hurricanes, Floods, and Disaster Preparedness and Recovery” at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/news/disaster_resources_online.html.

Finally, a new listserv, DISASTR-OUTREACH-LIB, is now available as a discussion forum for librarians, information specialists and others interested in disaster information outreach to their communities and responding to information needs for all-hazards preparedness, mitigation, response and recovery. It is also the primary source for information announcing the activities of the National Library of Medicine’s Disaster Information Specialist Pilot Project. List members may post comments and resources of interest to those involved in disaster information outreach as well as relevant announcements of meetings, training, conferences, job openings, etc. The listserv is provided by the National Library of Medicine’s Disaster Information Management Research Center.  You can sign up for the list and view the archives at https://list.nih.gov/archives/disastr-outreach-lib.html.

Please contact Cindy Love, lovec@mail.nlm.nih.gov, if you have any questions or comments about the listserv.

The NN/LM Emergency Preparedness & Response Toolkit is an online resource for emergency preparedness and service continuity planning. The toolkit includes samples of disaster plans, a “first aid kit” for emergency contact information, an eight-step guide to service continuity planning, prepared PubMed searches on specific topics, current alert services for health, weather, and national security, and so much more in-depth information on emergency preparedness.

Some MAR highlights in the toolkit include an insightful interview with Michelle Volesko Brewer, New Jersey Hospital Association, in the Lessons Learned/Stories Told section. Under the Creating an MOU link is a sample memorandum of understanding written by Michelle Volesko Brewer and Barbara Reich, Hackensack University Medical Center.

For more information visit the NN/LM Emergency Preparedness & Response Toolkit, http://nnlm.gov/ep/