Thank you for joining us during the PubMed Redesign Update web conference yesterday, August 11, 2009. We apologize if you were not able to join the meeting due to the 125 audio connection limitations, and for your patience during some rather odd audio disturbances during the session.

The audiovisual recording of the session that lasts just a little over a half hour is now available at https://webmeeting.nih.gov/p66847164/ PowerPoint slides from the Medical Library Association Online Users’ Meeting that are similar to yesterday’s presentation are available in the Editor’s Notes of the June 10, 2009 NLM Technical Bulletin

Questions and Answers from the session are available below for your review. Please do not hesitate to contact NCBI with your comments and suggestions at info@ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Advice to libraries on applying for broadband grants

The ALA Washington Office is making a final push to inform and guide libraries as the August 14 deadline for the first-round Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP) grant applications draws near.

A host of stimulus resources for libraries—including webinars, instructional guidance, key links, and a list of frequently asked questions—can be found online.

Also available is a key informational guide on applying to this program and a brand-new document that demonstrates the role of libraries in economic recovery for BTOP applicants.

Healthy People is a plan to achieve health goals and objectives for the United States, through a consortium of agencies and organizations working together. Every ten years, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services uses lessons learned and new knowledge of current data, trends and innovations to assess major risks, change public health priorities, and examine emerging issues.

You have a chance to provide input on draft objectives for Healthy People 2020. Public comment meetings will be held in locations across the nation, including Seattle on November 20 at the Red Lion Inn on 5th Avenue. For more information about public meetings, contact: 2020regional@air.org.

We have a lot of exciting news to share from the Pacific Northwest and beyond! Here’s the scoop for all you need to know about the PubMed redesign update, emergency preparedness, and the return of the RML Rendezvous.

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Nikki Dettmar is the Acting Education and Assessment Coordinator. She earned a distance learning MSIS from the University of North Texas while living in Seattle and currently teaches via online distance education modalities. This is the second in a series of Technology Tuesday posts about the types of  distance continuing education available, the technology involved, usage tips for both students and instructors, and the opportunities & challenges of distance learning.

Winnipeg Maze of Lifelong Learning, photo by Stephen Downes

As introduced in the first post of this series, available information about what a distance learning experience is like is often geared towards online students seeking a degree, which is not the same as those seeking continuing education (CE) classes for career goals and professional learning. What contributes to an enjoyable and successful online education experience? Here are some tips modified from the Distance Learning section of about.com and my own experience with both teaching and taking CEs in other formats besides face-to-face. Read more »

Have you noticed an increased number of announcements or other activity from NN/LM surrounding Emergency Preparedness?  I hope so!  We have been working hard to keep Emergency Preparedness on the minds of our Network Members, since this is part of a national initiative across the eight NN/LM regions.   We have 5 State Coordinators for Emergency Preparedness who, along with Gail Kouame, are promoting the NN/LM Emergency Preparedness plan and related training opportunities around the region. Read more »