Job Posting: Network Services Coordinator
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
HSL_jobs@med.nyu.edu
http://library.med.nyu.edu

by Martha Pedigo, librarian
Gateway Medical Center Health Science Library, Clarksville, TN

Gateway Medical Center in Clarksville, Tennessee has been a Community Health Systems hospital since Fall 2007.  Interested in identifying other hospitals in the system that provide medical library services, I obtained a list of CHS Hospitals and searched for each one in DOCLINE, the National Library of Medicine’s automated interlibrary loan (ILL) request routing and referral service.  When CHS libraries were located, I noted contact information and called to introduce myself.  I developed an email list to provide a quick way to communicate with other libraries’ staff members.

A natural progression was to consider forming a DOCLINE Group among participating CHS libraries.   I contacted Beth Wescott at our Regional Medical Library (Southeastern Region) to discuss technical aspects of forming a new Group.  We would need a minimum of 11 members and all agree to keep our holdings list in DOCLINE current.  I developed a brief survey to send to each library asking such questions as delivery capabilities (fax and/or scan), number of subscriptions, cell placement preference, etc.  Once everyone returned their information to me I sent LIBIDs to Beth along with what we wanted to be called…CHSL (Community Health Systems Libraries) and voilà! We are now a Library Group in DOCLINE flocking together with 12 members!

Benefits of being part of a group are the usual.  Although most of us may have never actually met, we can offer support and exchange ideas, drawing on common experiences.  We can help one another with interlibrary loans and other services.   As the English version of the phrase goes, attributed to William Turner in 1545, birds of a feather flock and fly together…or… like seeks like to congregate.

Members of the CHSL Flock:
Lutheran Hospital Medical Library, Fort Wayne, IN
Chestnut Hill Health System Medical Library, Philadelphia, PA
Vista Medical Center East Medical Library, Waukegan, IL
Gadsden Regional Medical Center Education/Library Services, Gadsden, AL
Porter Valparaiso Hospital Medical Library, Valparaiso, IN
Affinity Medical Center Medical Library, Massillon, OH
Southside Regional Medical Center Medical Library, Petersburg, VA
Deaconess Hospital Medical Library, Oklahoma City, OK
Easton Hospital Frank J. D’Agostino M.D. Medical Library, Easton, PA
Brandy Hospital Health Sciences Library, Coatesville, PA
Pottstown Memorial Medical Center Medical Staff Library, Pottstown, PA
Gateway Medical Center Health Science Library, Clarksville, TN

This past October, the Medical Library Association (MLA) held its annual National Medical Librarians Month (NMLM) observance, which celebrates the contributions and importance of health sciences information professionals and provides them with the opportunity to market their libraries.

Rosa Edwards and the Bell-Pittman Library Resource Center at Wilson Medical Center (NCUWMW) in Wilson, NC earned second place honors for their Indiana Jones-themed campaign. The library staff created brochures, bookmarks, flyers, newsletters, and even modeled their quality service report using an archaeological twist on the “Dig Deep” theme. A variety of events were held at the library including lectures, computer training sessions, a special cinema night, and an open house complete with archaeological props such as shovels, bones, creepy crawlers, lanterns, and buried treasure. The Bell-Pittman Library is no stranger to NMLM awards, they also placed first in the 2006 NMLM Creative Promotions Contest with their “Everything Under the Sun!” campaign. The sunny theme was successfully integrated throughout the library’s celebration. They garnered third place in 2007.

Keep up the good work Rosa and staff.

View “Harry Potter’s World” at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/exhibition/harrypottersworld. The banner show, which will travel to libraries around the country through the American Library Association starting in fall 2009, explores the plants, animals, and magic featured in the Harry Potter book series and their roots in Renaissance traditions that played an important role in the development of Western science. It incorporates the works of several fifteenth- and sixteenth-century thinkers mentioned in the Harry Potter book series and looks at topics such as alchemy, astrology, and natural philosophy, as well as the ethical issues faced by both the fictitious characters from the novels and the historical figures who influenced them. The website for “Harry Potter’s World” includes the full exhibition text, middle/high school lesson plans, and a higher education module for professors and students.

Visit the American Library Association’s request for proposals for libraries interested in hosting the traveling banner exhibition at http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/ppo/programming/potter/index.cfm.

Please refer any questions about “Harry Potter’s World” to nlmExhibition@mail.nih.gov.

The SE/A is looking for volunteers to serve on the Task Force on the Future of Print Collection Retention and Access in the SE/A.

At the recent SE/A mid-contract review meeting, there was concern that print collections at many Network libraries were being downsized and/or discarded with little time to consider what to retain or preserve.  Several reasons were identified for this downsizing – loss of library space, growth of electronic journals, open access, budget reductions and more.  In addition, electronic journal license restrictions by some coupled with the loss of print journals are having an impact on information access.  In the last year, there have been fewer interlibrary loans requested regionally and nationally on DOCLINE, a trend that is expected to continue.  What will we need for emergencies? Will electronic resources be enough or do we need to have a print emergency collection in house or available to lend?

How can the SE/A, as a network, respond to these challenges?  How might we or, do we need to, preserve print (journals and monographs) collections in the region?  How can we re-think traditional ILL activities (which are based on print) to make better connections between users and the information they need?  What will these trends, if they continue, mean to the future of information access and the role of network libraries in the delivery of information?

In order to address these questions, the SE/A will name a task force of 7-8 Network members representing hospital, academic and other libraries in the region.  The charge of the task force will be to:

• Identify the changes, issues, problems affecting the collection and retention of print resources(journals and monographs) in SE/A libraries;
• Recommend studies, such as a collection comparison, or methods to employ to ensure that access to information resources are available when needed;
• Recommend strategic directions the SE/A and network libraries can take to build new collaborations, use new technologies or encourage future dialogue and attentiveness to ensure access to print and electronic materials in the region.

If you are interested in serving on the task force, please contact Janice Kelly listing your experience/credentials and contact information. We hope to have the task force started in early June.

Thanks for considering.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) is pleased to announce the solicitation of quotations from organizations and libraries to design and conduct projects that will improve access to HIV/AIDS related health information for patients, the affected community, and their caregivers.

Projects must involve one or more of the following information access categories:

• Information retrieval
• Skills development
• State-of-the-art resources
• Resource development
• Document Access.

Emphasis is placed upon the following types of organizations or arrangements for developing these programs:

• Community-based organizations (CBOs) or patient advocacy groups currently providing HIV/AIDS related serves to the affected community
• Public libraries serving communities in the provision of HIV/AIDS-related information and resources
• Health departments or other local, municipal, or state agencies working to improve public health
• Faith-based organizations currently providing HIV/AIDS-related services
• Multi-type consortia of the above-listed organizations that may be in existence or formed specifically for this project.

Standard Awards are offered for up to $60,000; Express Awards are offered for up to $10,000.

Quotations are due to NLM on Monday, June 1, 2009

The solicitation for the 2009 HIV/AIDS Community Information Outreach Projects is posted at http://sis.nlm.nih.gov/hiv/2009aidsrfq.html.

Please share this information with your colleagues.

Primary Point of Contact:

Shari E. Shor, Contract Specialist
shorse@mail.nlm.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-4388
Fax: 301-402-0642

Secondary Point of Contact:
Robin D. Hope-Williams, Contracting Officer
rhwilli@mail.nih.gov
Phone: 301-435-4379
Fax: 301-402-8169

• Observe National Public Health Week, April 6-12.
• Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 by visiting the Climate Change page.
• Visit the School and School Bus pages in honor of National Healthy Schools Day on April 27.
• Be Air Aware” in honor of Air Quality Awareness Week, April 27 - May 1, and click on the Outdoor Air and Homes pages.

For a copy of Your Health and the Environment: Earth Day Classroom Enrichment from the National Library of Medicine, click the link.

April Is Cancer Control Month

April is Cancer Control Month. Visit the MedlinePlus health topic page on cancer and read the latest cancer news. Also, check out Cancer: Questions and Answers from the National Cancer Institute.

April Is Donate Life Month

April is Donate Life Month. Learn more by visiting the organ donation topic page on MedlinePlus.

April Is Alcohol Awareness Month

http://ncadi.samhsa.gov/seasonal/aprilalcohol/

• Straight Facts About Alcohol
• How to Get Help
• How Can I Tell if a Friend or Loved One Has a Problem with Alcohol, or Other Illicit Drugs?

http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/pdf/NIHNiH%20Apr09.pdf

The April issue of NIH News in Health is now available. Featured stories cover making physical activity part of your life and remembering to take your pills. Also, check out the health capsules and the featured Web site.

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NLM is pleased to announce the completion of the first phase of an online finding aid/scanning project to provide information about and access to NLM’s 2,000+ linear foot archival collection of the FDA Notice of Judgment files. This project provides for managing scans of and extracting metadata from some 70,000 Notices of Judgments in court cases about violations of the Pure Food and Drug acts; this release provides access to some 6,800 scanned notices related to drugs and devices, with the balance to follow. In addition to providing information about the cases, the database serves as a locator for the archival materials upon which the cases were made, which provide extensive information about the commerce of health care in the first half of the twentieth century. These original materials were transferred to NLM from the FDA with the assistance of Dr. John Swann, FDA Historian.

The project may be found at http://archive.nlm.nih.gov/fdanj. A press announcement will be forthcoming.

http://www.nih.gov/news/health/mar2009/csr-17.htm

Fifty-two years ago, members of a review committee at the National Institutes of Health dug into their wallets and purses to give a “grant” to a 9-year-old boy named Terence Boylan of Snyder, N.Y. His energetic request for $10 to build a rocket ship with his 14-year old friend Bruce Cook moved distinguished members of this NIH committee to invest in the future. Today, any child or adult can send a request to the NIH Center for Scientific Review (CSR) to receive The NIH Rocket Boys: How NIH Gives Health and Hope to Kids and the World a new children’s book that tells the trials and triumphs of NIH’s youngest researchers: “written at a fourth or fifth reading level while suitable older readers, too.

To get a copy of this new paperback book, send a request to Rocket Story, NIH Center for Scientific Review, 6701 Rockledge Dr., Room 3030, Bethesda, MD 20892. E-mail requests can be sent to e-mail:rocket@csr.nih.gov. There is also a Spanish translation: “Los Chicos, el Cohete y NIH: Como los institutos Nacionales de Salud dan esperanza y salud a todos los niños y al mondo” which can be requested at that email, too.

Electronic versions of these books can be downloaded from: http://www.csr.nih.gov/rocket/, which also includes a detailed history of the NIH Rocket Boys, images and videos featuring Boylan telling the story.