We hope to receive a strong pool of nominations. This year all US SNOMED CT licensees (in other words, all US UMLS licensees) will be able to vote to select the three US candidates for each of the four Committees. Current Committee members whose terms expire at the end of this year are eligible for nomination to the same or a different Committee. See the instructions at the website above.

FYI - Canada will also be soliciting nominations for its candidates in an announcement expected later this week.

Voyager
SFX
EZProxy
MetaLib
Verde
ILLiad
Ariel

From July 17, 2009 through July 30, 2009 these jobs will be posted on USAJOBS (http://www.usajobs.gov/) and the ONLY way to apply for them is through this website. The job posting number for these positions should be: HHS-CDC-D1-2009-0453. Each applicant will need to create a user account, submit a resume, and answer specific questions regarding your experience at this website in order to apply for the job.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the position, please feel free to:

Leslyn McNabb, MS
Team Lead, Library Systems
CDC Public Health Library and Information Center
1600 Clifton Road, MS-C04
Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: (404) 639-1415
Fax: (404) 718-2122
LMcNabb@cdc.gov

In the late nineteenth century, at a time when women were challenging traditional ideas about gender that excluded them from political and intellectual life, medical and scientific experts drew on notions of female weakness to justify inequality between the sexes. Artist and writer Charlotte Perkins Gilman, who was discouraged from pursuing a career to preserve her health, rejected these ideas in a terrifying short story titled “The Yellow Wall-Paper.” The famous tale served as an indictment of the medical profession and the social conventions restricting women’s professional and creative opportunities. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/about/exhibition/travelingexhibitions/literature.html

As with our other banner exhibitions, we are asking host libraries to cover incoming FedX expenses, which usually run a couple of hundred dollars. The booking period is 6 weeks. The online exhibition will feature K-12 lesson plans and a higher education module and will be available after Labor Day.

An additional note, historian Helen Horowitz advised on the project and developed the higher education module, and is currently writing a book about the topic. She’ll be speaking about her research at the History of Medicine Division Seminar this September 9 for those who are interested. http://www.smith.edu/history/fac_hhorowitz.htm

Questions may be directed to Jill Newmark, Exhibition Registrar in the NLM History of Medicine Division: newmarj@mail.nlm.nih.gov

When I’m not traveling, I can be contacted via instant messaging or through Skype. Using Meebo, anyone can “chat” with me during normal office hours, 8:30 am to 5 pm. Even if you’re using another IM client, such as Google Talk or Yahoo, you can instant message me through Meebo. Add me to your buddy list (SEARML) or contact me through the NN/LM SE/A website: http://nnlm.gov/sea/outreach/seachat/

I am also available through Skype. Skype is free software that allows businesses or individuals to make free voice or video calls over the Internet. If you have a webcam, I will be able to see you and vice versa. A webcam is not necessary however to have a conversation through the computer just like you’d make a regular phone call, but without the charges. Additionally, you can call me through my Skype account phone number, 919-794-5241. Using this enhanced account, I can call you anywhere in the region without incurring any phone charges. If you’re an Oprah show-watcher, you might have seen her use Skype to talk with many of her show’s guests. To learn more about Skype if you are not familiar, please visit: http://www.skype.com/intl/en/useskype/

Of course, you can still contact me using the regular modes of communication by emailing, tottosen@hshsl.umaryland.edu or by calling the office and the call can be transferred to my home office in North Carolina, 1-800-338-7657 or 410-706-2855. I am deeply appreciative for the opportunity to work from home and I’m continuing to experiment with new tools that will allow me to expand distance education opportunities for the region. This summer I am working on adding two new distance education classes using Moodle and Adobe Acrobat for interactive sessions, to my class offerings. I welcome the opportunity to talk or work with anyone in the region using whatever method you choose and will continue to make every effort to bridge any physical distance that may separate. It’s getting easier for all of us to do our work in many different ways using new and existing tools. If you have any questions or comments, you know what to do!

Join us for a presentation and a question/answer session from Stacey Arnesen, Head, Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC). DIMRC is embedded within NLM’s Specialized Information Services (SIS) division and is tasked with the collection, organization and dissemination of health information resources and informatics research related to disasters of natural, accidental, or deliberate origin.

For more information and how to connect, please see http://nnlm.gov/sea/services/webconf/index.html.

“The partnership with NLM has demonstrated its value in encouraging and preparing the next generation of leaders of our libraries,” said AAHSL president Julia Sollenberger. “Its merit is recognized by institutions across the country as they recruit for director positions.”

Fellows will have the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in a variety of learning settings, including exposure to leadership in another environment. They will be paired with mentors who are academic health sciences library directors. In addition to the individual relationship with their mentors, fellows benefit from working collaboratively with other fellows and mentors. Experienced program faculty and mentors will provide content and facilitation for the cohort. The program takes advantage of flexible scheduling and an online learning community to minimize disruption to professional and personal schedules. The sponsors will provide financial support for up to five fellows and will underwrite travel and meeting expenses.

Thirty-five fellows have participated in the program since its inauguration in 2002. To date, thirteen fellows have assumed director positions.

“The program was key in securing my job as director and continues to sustain me,” noted Neville Prendergast, fellow, class of 2007-2008, and director at Tulane University. “It provided the learning environment to interact with my mentor and other leading directors very willing to share their ideas and experience. It places you in the position of ‘thinking like a director.’”

Chris Shaffer, fellow, class of 2006-2007, and university librarian at Oregon Health & Science University, said, “My mentor ‘opened the books’ to me and taught me about budgets of public and private universities. As a new director, I often turn to the other fellows in my cohort for advice and community, and I can get support from all the mentors who have participated in the program.”

Gary Freiburger, mentor, class of 2008-2009, and director at University of Arizona, stated, “My fellow’s visit to our library gave me a chance to see our operations through fresh eyes. As a mentor, I not only have the chance to rethink my assumptions, I also have the benefit of working with a cohort of directors who share information and experiences.”

Program Overview

The one-year program design is multi-faceted: three in-person leadership institutes; attendance at an Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) annual meeting; a yearlong fellow/mentor relationship; Web-based courses and discussions on issues related to library leadership; and a two-week site visit to the mentor’s home library (in one or two-week segments).

The program is designed to:

• Introduce fellows to leadership theory and practical tools for implementing change at organizational and professional levels;
• Introduce fellows to critical issues facing academic health sciences libraries;
• Develop meaningful professional relationships between fellows and mentors that give fellows access to career guidance and support;
• Expose fellows to another academic health sciences library and its institutional leadership under the guidance of their mentors;
• Examine career development and provide models of directors to fellows;
• Create a cohort of leaders who will draw upon each other for support throughout their careers;
• Promote diversity in the leadership of the profession; and
• Offer recognition to emerging leaders and enhance the competitive standing of fellows as they pursue director positions.

Application

The NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellows Program is currently accepting applications and nominations for the August 3, 2009, deadline for potential fellows and mentors for the 2009-2010 experience. Candidates for fellow should have a strong interest in pursuing a directorship in academic health sciences libraries, as well as a minimum of five years of department head level or higher responsibility, or equivalent experience, in an academic health sciences library, hospital library, or other library-related setting. Applications from qualified minority candidates are encouraged. Mentors should have at least five years’ experience as director of an academic health sciences library.

The program brochure, including information on program design, schedule, and application process, is available at http://data.memberclicks.com/site/aahsl/NLM-AAHSL-Leadership-Fellows-Program-2009-2010.pdf For more information about the program, please contact Carolyn Lipscomb, Program Manager, AAHSL Future Leadership Committee, carolynlipscomb@cs.com.

Traveling art exhibit on rural health care The Vision Project (PDF) is seeking funding and sites for a traveling art exhibition on rural health care, focusing on the Mississippi Delta region. The exhibition will include photographs with text, a video documentary, an optional multimedia booth, and panel discussions focusing on health care issues. Universities, education centers, and community organizations throughout the United States are invited to participate.

For more information, contact Rick Falco

Below is a description and link to each tutorial:

Part 1 – Wishful Thinking

Part 1 is an introduction to the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern/Atlantic Region’s funding process. It covers general funding and partnership tips and is intended to help community, faith-based and other organizations learn about the benefits of partnering with libraries, how to find a partner, what to expect from the partnership, and how to begin the funding process. This training is intended for anyone seeking funding from the network, including librarians wanting to improve the access of health information in their communities.
Tutorial

Part 2 - Be Careful What You Wish For

Part 2 gets deeper into the funding process and is intended for those planning a full outreach project. This tutorial covers the project proposal including outlines, examples, templates, and samples of good proposals to review. Wording and the elements of a good proposal such as researching, community needs assessments, and outcomes are provided. Other topics include management of time, staff, and resources. Part of the “Measuring the Difference Guide to Planning and Evaluating Health Information Outreach,” developed by NN/LM and NLM staff, are used. The training covers the NN/LM funding process specifically and not grant writing in general.
Tutorial

Part 3 - Your Wish is Granted

The third part of the series is intended for those whose proposals have been accepted and funded. Once an award is made, an organization may ask - “Now what?” This session covers ordering equipment and other items needed for the project, interacting with the NN/LM staff, entering an outreach activity reporting form (OARF) into the system, and writing reports. Reporting will cover the report schedule, how to structure and how to submit the reports. Anyone who has been awarded funding from the SE/A will benefit from taking this tutorial.
Tutorial

Part 4 - Was Your Wish Fulfilled?

The final part of the series covers the last part of the funding process including evaluating the project, generating ideas for future projects, and sustaining a project. Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the project is reviewed. This training is suitable for Network members that have completed or are near completion of a full outreach project.
Tutorial

To access the starting page of the Wishing Well series, please visit: http://nnlm.gov/sea/training/wishingwell/index.html

Non-tenured Faculty Position Vacancy

TITLE: Librarian/Community Outreach Coordinator
LOCATION: Regional Medical Library Division - University of Maryland Baltimore
SALARY: $50,000 Minimum - Commensurate with qualifications and experience

RESPONSIBILITIES: Ensures an organized approach to outreach activities to the minority communities and faith and community based organizations in the 13-state region of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern/Atlantic Region (NN/LM SE/A).  Responds to the educational and information needs of specific populations by providing training sessions and exhibits of information access products and services, including facilitating information access by supporting regional outreach projects; promotes connections and the development of health resource collections and libraries; and provides consultation services.  Develops training programs to meet the information needs of community leaders and consumers in the NN/LM SE/A; provides consulting and technical assistance to specific population leaders in the region on health information access, database searching, grant writing, evaluation studies, etc.; develops training tools for national online databases and exhibits of information access products and services.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED: MLS from an ALA accredited school and three years of librarian experience; experience with searching NLM databases (especially MEDLINE and MedlinePlus) and familiarity with NLM products and services; demonstrated experience with microcomputers; recent training experience; and excellent communication and interpersonal skill. Valid driver’s license. PREFERRED: Spanish language competency strongly desired.  Knowledge or experience with: consumer health resources; instructional design and course development; teaching; evaluation; conducting research in information science or instructional design; writing and editing; project management; and recent library technology.

APPLICATIONS: For best consideration, submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae and affidavit along with names/addresses/phone numbers of three references by July 17, 2009.  Applications accepted until position is filled. Include on separate page the verification statement (affidavit): “I verify that the contents of my curriculum vitae are accurate and current.”   Sign and date affidavit and mail/fax with curriculum vitae to: Ms. Jane Peters, UM-HS/HSL, Human Resources Office, 601 W. Lombard Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201 or fax to 410.706.3101.  For more information call 410.706.6747 or visit our Web site at: http://www.hshsl.umaryland.edu/general/about/index.html.

The University of Maryland is an AA/EOE/ADA employer. The University supports diversity initiatives and encourages minorities to apply.

The aim is to attract a full range of investigators engaged in health literacy research including faculty involved in a broad array of public health, health services, epidemiology, translational, and interventional research activities. The main goals of the meeting are:

Advancing the Science

Presentation and discussion of original research findings pertaining to issues such as:

• Core definitional issues
• Emerging measurement techniques and instruments
• Newly validated interventions relating to communication, patients safety, chronic disease outcomes, and public health
• Health literacy and Health Disparities

Professional Development

• Dedicated time for one-on-one mentor meetings
• Need and merit based awards for young investigators
• Promotion of multi-site research and new collaborations

This meeting is coordinated with the assistance of the Institute of Medicine and will be held at the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) Building. Meeting proceedings will be presented to the IOM Health Literacy Roundtable.

Abstract submission is now open! Deadline 5pm (EST) August 19, 2009.

Website with meeting information: http://www.bumc.bu.edu/healthliteracyconference/