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. (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. (more…)

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) Online Users’ Meeting at the 2009 Medical Library Association (MLA) annual meeting provided a preview of the upcoming PubMed redesign. David Gillikin, Chief of NLM’s Bibliographic Services, will reprise this preview for anyone who did not get to attend the users’ meeting in Honolulu. This 15 minute presentation will review the draft design for the new search results page and abstract view presented at MLA. David will remain on the session for questions and answers after the presentation, and it will be recorded for those unable to attend.

When: August 11, 2009 11:30 - Noon Pacific time (12:30 - 1:00 Mountain, 10:30 - 11 Alaska)

Where: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/nlmupdate/

We will post a reminder to the HLIB-NW listserv on August 10th about the presentation and we look forward to seeing you there!

We are pleased to announce the the recipients of our latest round of  Technology Improvement Awards.

Library Website Enhancement to Improve Health Information
Providence St. Peter Hospital
Olympia, WA
Project Manager: Isaac Huffman

This award supports the creation of online tutorials and learning modules to train physicians and nurses in the use of electronic medical resources.

Health Info to Go!
Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library
Missoula Public Library
Missoula, MT
Project Managers: Kim Granath and Cara Cadena

Health Info to Go! is a mobile reference system promoting access to health information resources for the Baby Boomer generation. The project uses Missoula Public Library’s classic, refurbished Bookmobile as its transportation unit.

Wired Up Waiting!
St. Patrick Hospital & Health Sciences Center
Missoula, MT
Project Manager: Dana Kopp

This award supports an upgrade for the library’s public computers as well as relocation of older computers to hospital waiting rooms for use by patients, families and visitors.

Health Literacy Project
United Indians of All Tribes Foundation - Youth & Elders Program
Seattle, WA
Project Manager: Stephanie Rainwater

This award supports the creation of a health literacy resource center to address the health information needs of youth and seniors at an urban neighborhood center.

Microfilm Scanner Replacement
Riverpoint Campus Library (EWU/WSU)
Spokane, WA
Project Manager: Bob Pringle

This award funds the replacement of a malfunctioning microfilm scanner. The new scanner will produce high-quality images and improve the efficiency of document delivery for articles from the library’s journal backfiles.

Library Scanner Purchase
Murray Memorial Library at Samaritan Health Services
Corvallis, OR
Project Manager: Stefani Sackinger

A new scanner dedicated for library use will provide greater efficiency for electronic document delivery service to hospital staff, physicians, and other libraries.

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Congratulations to all!