The Medical Library at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center (Utica, NY) supports a Family Residency Program, medical and other students, 325 physicians, nurses and hospital staff and several medical clinics.  Our affiliated College of Nursing and School of Radiography, (who have their own separate library), also has students and faculty that rotate through the hospital that use the Medical Library for research and information as well.

The Technology grant allowed the library to purchase three new computers with software (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) that will allow better access to the library’s electronic resources via the Medical Library’s Intranet page and access to the Library’s electronic resources.  Two of the computers were placed on the computer study carrels adding to the 4 originally there.  One was placed on my assistant’s desk because of her desk’s proximity to the copier and phone.  Since the assistant is part-time, the computer reverts to public access when she is not there.  This computer location has become very popular.  Residents really like to sit there and work on presentations since it has near it a phone and a copier.  The assistant has the added benefit of a new computer to use for ILL’s, Circulation, and other tasks.

The Technology Grant has alleviated the waiting times and response has been positive.  The residents and students use all of the computers heavily for Grand Rounds, Journal Club, daily information research for rounds and other educational activities.  The PowerPoint and Word, Excel software has been very useful.

Having an adequate number of computers which provide access to electronic Library information sources aligns with St. Elizabeth’s mission statement:  St Elizabeth’s Medical Center community, inspired by Saint Francis of Assisi and faithful to the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, is committed to excellence in healthcare and education.  We pledge to do this with compassion and respect for the dignity of all.

Halyna Liszczynskyj.  St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Medical Library.  Utica, NY

A Blessing and Re-Dedication of the John J. O’Brien, M.D., Health Sciences Library was held on Wednesday, October 29, 2008, in Buffalo, New York. The Library was recently moved to a new, higher traffic location adjacent to the Physician Lounge on the Hospital’s third floor. The Physician Lounge/Library suite features new computers and printers, wireless Internet access, three new study carrels in the Library, new flooring, furniture, window treatments, high definition flat screen TV and food service area. A bronze plaque with Dr. O’Brien’s etched photo now graces the entrance to the new Library.  Funding for the renovations was provided by the Mercy Hospital Foundation, Administration and Medical Staff, and through a Technology Improvement Grant from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region. The NN/LM MAR grant paid for new PCs and a printer for the new library. Grace Di Virgilio submitted the grant on behalf of Mercy Hospital. Grace has served as Mercy Hospital’s circuit librarian since 1999 and is the Hospital Library Services Program Coordinator for the Western New York Library Resources Council. Lisa M. Humphrey is the Library Assistant at Mercy Hospital.

The late Dr. John J. O’Brien was a well-respected and beloved Mercy Hospital physician who served as Director of Medical Education from 1951 through 1985. Dr. O’Brien was a strong advocate for the library and lifelong library user. The Library was re-dedicated in his name to recognize the countless contributions he made to Mercy Hospital. Dr. O’Brien’s wife, Barbara O’Brien, and family members attended the ceremony. The blessing was performed by Sister Peggy Gorman, R.S.M., Chief Development Officer, Sisters of Mercy, New York, Pennsylvania, Pacific West Community. Speakers included Joseph A. Prezio, M.D., Honorary Staff, Department of Nuclear Medicine; Thomas A. Raab, M.D., Chair, Department of Medicine; and Timothy F. Gabryel, M.D., F.A.C.P., Vice President of Medical Affairs.

Grace DiVirgilio- Mercy Hospital- Health Sciences Library.  Buffalo, NY.

The award provided two new computers for the library’s preexisting workstations allowing 24/7 computer access for physicians and nurses. (see photos)  Computer availability to the latest medical research assists physicians and nurses in diagnosing and treating patients quicker and with greater accuracy.

Representative John Conyers has re-introduced a bill that will, among other things,  “Stifle access to a broad range of federally funded works, overturning the crucially important NIH Public Access Policy and preventing other agencies from implementing similar policies,”  according to other people concerned about open access.

To read more about the implications of this bill you can see Jennifer McLennan’s Letter from which this quote was taken from as well as other posts on BoingBoing and the Open Access Blog.

The Schaffer Library of Health Sciences used the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region Technology Improvement Grant Award to fund the purchase of four Lenovo ThinkPad Tablet computers.  Librarians are developing expertise and compiling practical recommendations to meet the technical support needs of students.

Approximately fifty percent of reference questions asked within the first month of the academic year were related to tablet technology.  Initially, about half of these questions were referred to the Information Services (IS) Department.  The number of referrals decreased in the following months.

Librarians are now able to provide support for connectivity, software, and other device-related questions.  Generally, the questions that librarians are unable to answer relate to institutional infrastructure issues or defective devices.

Tablet training sessions have been conducted for large student groups with individual follow-up sessions as needed.  Additionally, institutional wireless network connectivity enables librarians to bring the tablets to offices, conference rooms, and small group study venues to deliver real-time education programs and point of need service.

Enid Geyer- The Schaffer Library of Health Sciences , Albany Medical College.  Albany, NY

We at the Elbridge Free Library held our first-ever Health & Wellness Fair on Saturday, January 10, 2009 from 10 am to 1 pm! The event’s purpose was to increase participants’ knowledge of consumer health information resources, local healthcare providers, and services. We also hoped that the community would see the Elbridge Free Library as a consumer health information provider.

The Health & Wellness Fair included:

• Exhibits (Curves, GeneWize, Kinney Drugs, Licensed Massage Therapist Karen Sikorski, the Onondaga County Department of Aging & Youth, the Onondaga County Health Department, Wake Robin Farm, and Whole Me)
• Displays of the best consumer health information resources (MedlinePlus.gov and others)
• Dietary supplement presentation by Dr. Karin Kroeger
• Blood pressure checks by Nurse Roxy Sherman
• Yoga for Kids sessions, crafts, and other fun activities for children
• Vision screenings for children by the Lions Club
• Drawings for prizes donated by Kinney Drugs, the Skaneateles Community Center, and Subway
• Refreshments donated by Owen Orchards

We believe the Health & Wellness Fair was a success! On a cold, winter day, we had a solid turnout of 84 people (the village of Elbridge has a population 1,052 according to the U.S. Census). We received 19 evaluations, with respondents rating the event highly. Here are highlights from the evaluations:

• The majority of respondents (74%) rated the event as excellent (14 selected excellent, 5 selected good, 0 selected fair, and 0 selected poor).
• When asked if they learned anything new about health and wellness, area services, or the library at the event, 18 or 95% said yes. Respondents learned about a variety of topics: services for the aging, medication side effects, gene testing, sign language, massage therapy, dietary supplements, yoga techniques, blood pressure, exercise programs, etc.
• When asked how the event could be improved, respondents’ answers (6) varied: hold at a bigger facility, more information on exercise, exhibit on essential oils, more promotion, more presenters, integrate more children’s activities. Though these suggestions are helpful, no trends were noted.
• Additional comments from respondents included:
  • Excellent!
  • My children enjoyed the yoga.
  • Great fair - well organized set up - wonderful - thank you!
  • Well done!
  • Loved the snacks.
  • Great fair! Come again!
  • Keep doing it!

Based on the above, we feel participants really benefited from the Health & Wellness Fair. We also had a lot of fun putting it together, and we are considering holding another one next year. We would like to thank the National Network of Libraries of Medicine for making this event possible!

Amanda Latreille- Elbridge Free Library. Elbridge, NY

The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) Public Health Library purchased 650 tote bags for community health fairs, HIV/AIDS lectures, and first time visitors. The tote bags will be handed out as incentives for these three different occasions. The library reaches out to underserved communities throughout the five boroughs of New York City, including community based organizations at health fairs and HIV/AIDS lecture series, formerly known as workshops. The communities and DOHMH staff are invited to the HIV/AIDS lectures held at the library. The library’s participation in community health fairs builds relationships with community based organizations. The library’s main mission is to improve the public health knowledge and foster health information literacy among the diverse communities visited.

The shipment arrived on the December 23, 2008 and the tote bags will debut at the library’s next HIV/AIDS lecture in February followed by health fairs throughout the city.

In order to attract more people to the NYC DOHMH Public Health Library incentives are necessary, especially items with the library’s logo to remind people where to access health information. The tote bags (12″ x 14″) are black with bold faced white letters. They are ideal for carrying brochures and reports.

The NYC DOHMH Public Health Library is expecting an increase of patrons to the library and to its venues with the help of the tote bags.

Erika Pozo- NYC Dept. Of Health & Mental Hygiene Public Health Library, NYC. NY

Over 250 information professionals attended the Delaware Library Association’s Annual Meeting in Dover, Delaware on May 9, 2008.  Delaware Health Source’s three consumer health librarians exhibited promotional items (featuring new logo and tagline) at a designated table.  These items were: jumbo tote bags (distributed exclusively at this event), pens, bookmarks, and table banner.  Consumer health librarians interacted with librarians and library staff members from libraries statewide, emphasizing distribution of new bookmarks within their host libraries.  Meeting attendees who visited our exhibit table also received brochures about the consumer health libraries, reminding them of the information services we offer statewide.  On a related note, the Delaware Academy of Medicine was honored during the day’s conference as an outstanding library in the state of Delaware.  Also, the Academy’s electronic resources librarian presented a 10 minute overview of DelMIRA (www.delmira.org) e-resources at the DLA Business Meeting.

 Grier,P.J- Delaware Academy of Medicine, Newark, DE.

The Cancer Resource Library at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware, has produced a monthly two-page newsletter highlighting new additions to the collection for several years. The newsletter is produced using Word and clip art. Although not sophisticated or professional in appearance, it is a popular item with both patients and staff.

The librarian wanted to update the appearance of the newsletter to something more professional and in keeping with the style of other publications of the cancer center. A Small Projects Award from NNLM/MAR enabled us to purchase QuarkXPress software, the software of choice for many professional publications.

The design of the newsletter now resembles other Cancer Center publications. After our first issue, the Medical Director of the Cancer Center approached us, and asked if we would include a monthly clinical trial in each issue. The monthly newsletter has now expanded to four pages. We also are using the software to produce the monthly newsletter for the Wilmington Hospital Library.

The Library also produces over three dozen pathfinders – guides for patients to assist in locating information on specific cancer topics such as breast cancer, sexuality, caregiving, nutrition, etc. These double-sided single sheets, currently produced in Word, are available in spinner racks in the lobbies on both floors of the building. We are in the process of converting all of these publications into QuarkXPress and changing the look of the pathfinder to coincide with that of the newsletter.

Thanks to NNLM/MAR, our in-house publications now look very professional and attractive. In the four months since the use of the software began, circulation has increased 12.7% (vs. same period in 2007), the number of visitors to the library has increased 9%, and we have had a 6.8% increase in the number of first time users registering for library cards.

Barbara J. Henry, MLS- Junior Board Cancer Resource Library-Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, Newark DE

The Xerox DocuMate 510 scanner was installed in the medical library office by our IT staff on October 3, 2008. Since its installation, we have gotten much use from the scanner, as it is used regularly for ILL/document delivery purposes.

The scanner is compact and fits neatly at the corner of the desk. The scan quality is clear and it offers the common editing features, such as removing stray dots, auto straighten, etc. The equipment is easy to use, as well.

We expect to get continued use from this technology in the form of ILL/document delivery. I am certain that borrowing libraries are also happy to receive articles in pdf format, instead of difficult-to-read faxed articles.

As a result of acquiring the Xerox DocuMate 510, we now are able to minimize paper use, provide quick turnaround on all Docline requests, and provide better service to the library community.

Francine Silverman- Barney A. Slotkin Memorial Library- Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Cherry Hill Division