1. Outreach to Health Professionals

A major emphasis for the South Central Region (SCR) during the 2006-2011 Regional Medical Library (RML) Contract is to identify allied health professionals and allied health training programs for targeted outreach. Information on community colleges and allied health programs in the SCR will be made available to Network members for potential outreach opportunities.

The NN/LM SCR will identify special populations, and organizations that provide health information outreach to special populations, HIV/AIDS, refugee health organizations, unaffiliated health professionals including Community Health Center clinics and Federally Qualified Health Centers, inner city clinics, Area Health Education Centers (AHECs), and hospitals. Contact will be established with the organizations and outreach subcontractors will be apprised of these organizations and contacts, as applicable. The NN/LM SCR will promote funding opportunities within these organizations.

Interested Network members will be encouraged to submit applications for one of the eleven (11) Express Outreach awards with a focus on outreach to special populations, HIV/AIDS health providers and organizations, refugee health organizations, or the public health workforce.

The Public Health Outreach Coordinator will create a class on locating health statistics. A needs assessment for content for an advanced public health informatics class will be conducted. The Partners in Information Access for the Public Health Workforce website will continue to be promoted to state and local health departments.

The State Liaisons will identify nursing and allied health training programs in the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other primarily minority organizations in their respective states. These organizations will be targeted for outreach and classes, and introduced to the NN/LM SCR and National Library of Medicine (NLM) funding opportunities.

State Liaisons will identify and establish contacts with community colleges and allied health programs in the region. These institutions will be targeted for network membership, outreach, classes and funding.

 

2. Consumer Health Information Services

The NN/LM SCR will continue to promote PubMed, MedlinePlus, and MedlinePlus Go Local in public libraries. Public libraries that do not link to these NLM resources will be contacted to encourage them to link to these NLM resources on their websites.

The Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator will create a class for school librarians, nurses and teachers about teen-friendly health information on the Internet. This class will be offered throughout the region.

The Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator will work with the State Liaisons to coordinate meetings between State Library staff, Resource Library (RL) outreach contacts and staff, and NN/LM SCR staff and Network members in each state to help foster relationships and health information outreach efforts between health sciences libraries and non-health sciences libraries. The Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator will also work with the State Liaisons and Network members in each state to develop outreach programs that focus on reaching minorities, senior citizens, and low income populations throughout the SCR.

Funding will be made available to Network members to continue to develop MedlinePlus Go Local projects in areas where there is no Go Local coverage.

The Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator will work with the Health Professionals Outreach Coordinator to ensure that Information Rx prescription pads and order forms are included in every class packet where there are health and allied health professionals in attendance. The Information Rx project will be explained during these classes. The Information Rx materials will be promoted in the exhibit booths at medical conferences. The Coordinators will continue to promote the Information Rx Toolkit to RL outreach contacts, health sciences librarians, and public librarians in classes and at exhibits.

Three (3) focus groups will be conducted with senior citizens in order to create classes and web resources that will best serve senior citizen organizations, assisted nursing care facilities and caregivers. Results of these focus groups will be shared with Network members.

 

3. Collaborating with Network Members and Other Organizations

The Consumer Health Outreach Coordinator will create a regional Community Based Organization (CBO) task force to identify CBOs for outreach, approaches to providing outreach to these organizations, and establishing relationships with CBOs.

A web-based promotional presentation about the NLM and NN/LM SCR will be developed, which will be available on the NN/LM SCR website. It will be used to assist in recruiting both health sciences and non-health sciences libraries, CBOs, and other organizations into the Network.

 

4. Training to Support Electronic Access to Health Information

One (1) NN/LM SCR Course Development Award will be offered in Year 01. In general, classes will be created by the Coordinators, but those that require content beyond the Coordinators' experience may be subcontracted to a Network member with more expertise in the subject. The award will cover costs for obtaining appropriate continuing education (CE) for the course and travel for the course developer to teach it twice. The course will not be copyrighted so the NN/LM SCR Coordinators can add it to their educational offerings and they will be able to teach the class as requested.

The NN/LM SCR Staff will continue to offer its courses throughout the Region and at the Regional Medical Library (RML). The RML will continue to host the NN/LM National Training Center and Clearinghouse (NTCC) classes.

Year 01 NN/LM SCR class offerings will include the following:

DOCLINE

The Health Professionals Outreach Coordinator will teach a total of three (3) DOCLINE Explained classes. Document delivery options for unaffiliated users and SERHOLD will be covered in these classes. Two (2) DOCLINE classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) will be offered at the RML. The DOCLINE Explained class is an introductory class on the DOCLINE system for new users on the current DOCLINE system. Instruction on the Electronic Funds Transfer System (EFTS) is also included.

Electronic Licensing of Journals and Databases

One (1) Electronic Licensing of Journals and Databases classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML.

This course will be developed by the Health Professionals Outreach Coordinator and the Associate Director in Year 01. Electronic Licensing of Journals and Databases will cover pricing, accessibility and Interlibrary Loan issues related to signing contracts with journal vendors and publishers. Individual and package subscriptions will be addressed.

Managing Electronic Resources

Three (3) Managing Electronic Resources classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML.

The class is designed for health sciences library staff who are interested in an overview of technologies required for providing electronic resources. Attendees will discuss strategies for communicating with their institutional information systems departments and implementing technology projects. Class topics include providing remote access to electronic resources, user authentication, electronic journal licensing issues, firewall issues, LinkOut, and electronic document delivery.

PubMed: The Basics
PubMed: Beyond the Basics
PubMed for Experts
Introduction to PubMed (CME & CNE)

The NN/LM SCR Health Professionals Outreach Coordinator and the Public Health Outreach Coordinator will modify the existing PubMed curriculum to address this issue. Three two-hour classes will be developed: PubMed: The Basics, PubMed: Beyond the Basics and PubMed for Experts. Information on the necessary skill levels required for each class will be provided in the description to ensure that participants register for the correct class. When these classes are taught, all three will be presented on the same day so that registrants can attend all or some of the classes.

Fifteen (15) PubMed classes will be taught in Year 01. Document delivery for unaffiliated users and MedlinePlus are taught in each of these classes.

Three (3) PubMed the Basics classes will be taught to health professionals and librarians, public and school librarians, and consumers in the Region, and one (1) will be offered at the RML. PubMed the Basics will include basic searching, interpreting the search results screen, sorting results, the clipboard and email citations.

Three (3) PubMed: Beyond the Basics classes will be taught in each state, and one (1) class will be offered at the RML. This class will include advanced searching and limits, subsets, in-depth description of the MeSH database, subheadings and sophisticated features of My NCBI. Attendees will be able to revise and refine searches; and use special features such as Related Articles, Link to journals, Citation Matcher, and Clinical Queries. The instructor will demonstrate online searches and students, at computers connected to the Internet, will be invited to follow along.

Three (3) PubMed for Experts classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) class will be offered at the RML. PubMed for Experts is an advanced class for experienced PubMed or Ovid users. It is designed especially for librarians who wish to learn how to use all of the PubMed features more efficiently. Instruction on LinkOut is also included.

Two (2) Introduction to PubMed classes will be taught in each state, and one (1) class will be offered at the RML. Introduction to PubMed is the CME/CNE class developed by the National Network Office. It is intended for health professionals.

Grants and Proposal Writing

One (1) proposal writing classes will be taught in Year 01. The Grants class is intended for beginning grant proposal writers. Attendees will gain a general overview of the grant and funding processes, as well as the level of detail required in preparing a successful proposal. Each component of the writing process will be addressed including: documenting the need, identifying the target population, writing measurable objectives, and developing a work plan, evaluation plan and dissemination plan.

Internet Basics for Nurses (CNE)
Super Searcher
Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): Your Mobile Future

Nine (9) technology classes designed mainly for librarians and health professionals, and possibly for consumers will be taught in Year 01.

Two (2) Medical Websites for Nurses classes will be taught in the Region.

Medical Websites for Nurses is a Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) class designed for nurses interested in learning about health information resources available on the Internet. Participants will learn to use and evaluate web-based health information resources, find online news services, continuing online education courses, and consumer health websites. Attendees will learn to search the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database using the PubMed interface and MedlinePlus, the National Library of Medicine's website for consumer health information. (This class was Internet Basics for Nurses).

Two (2) Super Searcher classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML.

Super Searcher focuses on the advanced search features of web search engines and the cutting edge of searching. Participants will use various search engines, compare the features and utility of each and develop search strategies that will increase the precision and scope of their searching in this hands-on course. The class includes: discussions of web search engines, indexes and hybrids of the two, commercialism and how it influences searching, finding current events information with search engines, specialized databases for special needs and topics suggested by the participants.

Three (3) Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs): Your Mobile Future classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. This class is a 2 or 4 hour hands-on course designed for students with little or no experience with handheld computing. Students will be introduced to basic personal digital assistant (PDA) hardware and software concepts. Resources for learning more about this technology will be demonstrated and discussed. Students will have the opportunity to use PDAs for basic applications such as date book, address book, memo, etc.

TOXNET: Toxicology & Environmental Information\

One (1) TOXNET class will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. TOXNET is an introductory class on the TOXNET databases for new users. Participants will learn about the different databases available on TOXNET and the types of information in each database. In addition, attendees will learn the various ways to search the databases. All TOXNET databases will be covered including the Hazardous Substances Data Bank, TOXLINE, and ChemIDplus.

Public Health on the Web

Two (2) Public Health Information on the Web class will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML.

Digital literacy and the effective utilization of online information are among the core public health information competencies in the 21st century. Public Health Information on the Web will present an overview of public health resources on the web. A wide array of sites on topics including bioterrorism, health statistics, epidemiology, HIV/AIDS, toxicology, environmental health, safety alerts and public health metasites will be presented. Sites covered include the NLM, Centers for Disease Control, Environmental Protection Agency, and National Information Center on Health Services Research and Health Care Technology.

CDCynergy class

The Public Health Outreach Coordinator will teach two (2) CDCynergy classes in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. This course was designed by the Society for Public Health Education (SOPHE) based on the CDCynergy software. CDCynergy is a planning tool for public health professionals working in both government (local, state, national) and non-government organizations.

Caring for the Mind: Providing Reference Services for Mental Health Information

Two (2) Caring for the Mind classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. Caring for the Mind is designed for librarians. Attendees learn how to effectively provide reference services on mental health information for the public, including locating best web sites, databases and collection development materials. Handling the reference interview with care and sensitivity is explored.

NCBI Molecular Databases: A Snapshot

The Public Health Outreach Coordinator and the Technology Coordinator will create a six-hour class entitled, NCBI Molecular Databases: A Snapshot designed specifically for librarians who have little or no experience using the molecular biology resources from NCBI. This course presents a brief introduction to some basic but fundamental concepts of molecular biology. Four databases from NCBI are introduced: Entrez Gene, Entrez Nucleotide, Entrez Protein, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Participants will have a chance for some hands-on practice in each of these databases. This course is an excellent starting point for learning about some of the NCBI resources.

One (1) NCBI Molecular Databases: A Snapshot class will be taught in the Region, and one (1) will be offered at the RML.

Introduction to Consumer Health
Beyond an Apple a Day: Providing Consumer Health Information in a Public Library
From Snake Oil to Penicillin: Evaluating Consumer Health Information on the Internet
Looking in All the Wrong Places: PubMed for the Public Librarian
Prescription for Success: Consumer Health on the Web
¿No Comprendé? Spanish Health Information Resources for English Speaking Librarians
Will Duct Tape Cure My Warts?

The Consumer Health Coordinator will teach a total of 20 consumer health information related classes.

Two (2) Introduction to Consumer Health class will be taught in the Region. Introduction to Consumer Health is a Continuing Medical Education (CME) course designed for health professionals. The primary objective is to increase the physician's awareness of MedlinePlus, ClinicalTrials.gov, and NLM Gateway; and to increase the physician's ability to use these resources with patients.

Two (2) Beyond an Apple a Day class will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. This class is designed for public librarians and will cover the information seeking behaviors of consumers, address a recommended core reference collection, cover the reference interview, disclaimers, and privacy, and discuss ways to network with medical librarians. The class will describe possible ways to market this service in a community and introduce the students to the Medical Library Association and its local chapters. This course is on the list of approved courses for the Medical Library Association (MLA) Consumer Health Specialization Program.

Two (2) From Snake Oil to Penicillin classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. This course is designed for public librarians and will teach how to evaluate health information found on the Internet. Participants will be able to evaluate health websites based on specific qualifications, explain to library patrons the reasons for evaluating health websites, and teach library patrons how to evaluate health websites found on the Internet. This class also discusses how to evaluate the relevancy of medical research in the news. This course is on the list of approved courses for the MLA Consumer Health Specialization Program.

Two (2) Looking in All the Wrong Places class will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. This class will discuss what PubMed is, how to do basic and field searching, and how to limit searches to obtain the best results. Participants will be able to know when PubMed is the most appropriate resource; perform basic searches using PubMed, and know how to obtain full-text articles. This course is on the list of approved courses for the MLA Consumer Health Specialization Program.

Two (2) Prescription for Success classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. This introduction to consumer health information will cover the information-seeking behaviors of consumers, the basics of MedlinePlus, DIRLINE, ClinicalTrials.gov, and other reliable web pages such as those from professional medical associations and advocacy groups. It will cover sites devoted to pharmaceutical information for consumers, drug-interaction databases, and herbal information. This course is on the list of approved courses for the MLA Consumer Health Specialization Program.

Two (2) ¿No Comprendé? classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. The class will cover resources for learning basic, library, medical, and Internet Spanish vocabulary. It will also discuss evaluation of health websites in Spanish, and identify specific health websites in Spanish to which librarians can direct patrons. This course is on the list of approved courses for the MLA Consumer Health Specialization Program.

Two (2) Will Duct Tape Cure My Warts classes will be taught in the Region, and one (1) at the RML. The goal of this class is to increase understanding of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM). Students will learn the history of CAM and its impact on medical practices. They will learn how CAM is used, how to avoid "bad science" and how to look up evidence of the effectiveness of CAM therapies. Classes will include lecture, discussion, and hands-on training. At the conclusion of this class, participants will have greater knowledge of the impact of CAM and become more proficient in searching for evidence of the effectiveness of CAM.

 

5. Exhibits and Presentations at Meetings

The NN/LM SCR will exhibit, or provide funding for outreach subcontractors to exhibit at a minimum of 12 meetings (6 national and 6 others) for an exhibit, technology related presentation, program presentation or course offering. The NN/LM SCR will exhibit at national conferences to which it is assigned by the NLM, and the majority of regional conferences will be subcontracted to Network members.

The NN/LM SCR will exhibit and make presentations at one state library association meeting and one state public health association meeting each year to promote NLM and NN/LM programs and services. In most cases, this will be done in conjunction with an RL to promote NLM, NN/LM SCR, and local health sciences library programs and services. In Year 01, the NN/LM SCR plans to attend and exhibit at the Arkansas Library Association and the Texas Public Health Association meetings.

 

6. Information Technology and Policy Awareness Program

The NN/LM SCR Technology Coordinator will work with NN/LM SCR Technology Advisory Committee to identify new technologies, particularly in health sciences libraries and for health professionals, and disseminate the information to Network members in the SCR via Network News and the NNLMSCR-L discussion list.

 

7. NN/LM SCR Library Improvement Program

The Technology and Health Professionals Outreach Coordinators will conduct a needs assessment of hospital libraries to determine library improvement needs. DOCLINE participation will be encouraged in eligible sites.

The NN/LM SCR will develop and promote information resources on hospital library advocacy on NN/LM SCR website, the NNLMSCR-L and Network News newsletter.

Five (5) DOCLINE Library Improvement Projects (DLIP) will be funded to address library improvement needs. The DLIP will be made available to libraries that are interested in becoming full DOCLINE users, or that already are DOCLINE users, but would like to expand and improve existing library services. Interested applicants will provide information and equipment specifications on the technologies necessary for them to implement or improve library services in their institution. This could include funding to purchase a computer for use by library staff for accessing PubMed, MedlinePlus, DOCLINE and web services. It could also include funding to upgrade a slow dial-up Internet connection to a high speed broadband connection for receipt of electronic journal articles or funding to implement an electronic document delivery solution such as Ariel. Emphasis will be given to applicants interested in implementing electronic document delivery technologies. Applicants will also provide a description of the anticipated library services that could be provided upon receipt of this award.

Five (5) Professional Development Awards will be made available in Year 01. The goal of this award is to further empower hospital library staff. Often, hospital librarians have little or no travel funds available to them; therefore, they are unable to attend continuing education opportunities. Primary Access Libraries who are interested in attending continuing education opportunities, including travel funds to attend SCR courses offered in the Region or the annual state symposium, will be encouraged to apply for these awards. Applicants will submit information on the desired continuing education opportunity, how library services will be improved upon completion of the course, and a budget for expenses. Applicants will be encouraged to utilize funds for travel to attend NTCC and NN/LM SCR course offerings made available in the Region.

 

8. High Quality Internet Connectivity for Network Members and Health Professionals

The NN/LM SCR will continue to review and monitor the quality of the Internet connections in Primary Access Library (PAL) Network member institutions and assist "underconnected" Network members with upgrading their Internet connections. Five (5) Information Access Improvement Project Awards (IAIP) will be offered in the Region to hospitals, community based organization, libraries, and other Network members that are interested in improving access to Internet-based health information. A call for applications will be issued on a biannual basis. Interested applicants will provide information and equipment specifications on the technology necessary for them to improve connectivity to the Internet. Funding may be used to purchase a computer for use by health care staff for research and education, upgrade a slow dial-up Internet connection to a higher-speed broadband connection, etc. Awardees will receive training on utilizing the Internet to access health information, including NLM products such as PubMed and MedlinePlus.

Two (2) Mobile Health Education Project (MHEP) will be offered each year to Network members interested in providing access to health information utilizing mobile technologies. Interested applicants will provide information and equipment specifications on the technology necessary for them to provide mobile health education. This could include funding to purchase a wireless-enabled tablet computer for use by librarians involved in PubMed training, funding for wireless Internet access or funding for peripheral equipment such as a portable LCD projector. Applicants will provide a description of the anticipated health information services that will be provided upon receipt of this award. Recipients will be encouraged to include NLM products such as PubMed and MedlinePlus in their mobile presentations.