On Monday, November 5, 2007, the Richard M. Johnston Health Sciences Library sponsored an online, synchronous training session entitled Wikis in Education: Exploring theory and practice.  This workshop was designed and delivered to fulfill the requirements of the NN/LM MAR Online Training Development Award given June 2007.  The workshop was designed and delivered by instructional design consultant Marcy L. Brown.

The workshop offered the following learning objectives, which were shared with participants at the beginning of the session:

1-  Define a wiki

2-  List and describe educational uses of wikis

3-  Evaluate an educational wiki for clarity, usability, and pedagogical value

4-  Explain ways in which a wiki might be used in the participant’s environment

The workshop was designed to take advantage of synchronous technology (Adobe Connect) and also required additional reading and pre-work by participants in order to fully engage them in a topic of using wikis in education.

The 90-minute synchronous session was attended by 13 individuals froma variety of clinical and academic health science library environments.  Six librarians who registered for the session did not actually attend the workshop.

Mary Jo Dorsey, The Richard M. Johnston Health Sciences Library- The Western Pennsylvania Hospital.  Pittsburgh, PA

Spanish Language Materials Book Fair

Here is an excellent opportunity for librarians and educators to purchase Spanish language materials for adults, teens, and children!

FREE ADMISSION!

Date: March 7, 2008
Time: 10:00AM to 4:00 PM
Where: The Newark Public Library
5 Washington St.
Newark, NJ 07101-0630

For Directions go to:

http://www.npl.org/Pages/AboutLibrary/directions.html

For parking information go to:

http://www.npl.org/Pages/AboutLibrary/directions.html#parking

Please send an email to lromerobpl@yahoo.com to confirm your attendance.

EVENT SCHEDULE & LOCATION:

10:00 AM Librarian’s orientation—Auditorium (4th Floor)
10:00 AM-4:00PM Book Fair—Centennial Hall (2nd floor)

For more information please contact:

Libbhy Romero
E-mail: lromerobpl@yahoo.com
Phone: 718-230-2435

Join MAR staff, network members, and other information professionals for in-person continuing education classes on March 26 and 27, 2008 at Duquesne University’s Gumberg Library in Pittsburgh, PA. Classes are FREE of charge.

To sign up for a class, e-mail us at rml@library.med.nyu.edu and let us know which class(es) you want. All classes will take place in the Gumberg Library Electronic Classroom, Duquesne University. Confirmation will be sent prior to the class dates. Space is limited, so sign up soon!

Campus map, directions, and parking information: http://www.library.duq.edu/about/map.htm

1. DOCLINE Explained

Description: Designed as an introductory class on the DOCLINE system for new or inexperienced users. (3 MLA CE) This class will be of interest to interlibrary loan staff and anyone who uses DOCLINE.

Time: 3 hours

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 9 am to 12 pm

2. Getting Started with LinkOut

Description: This hands-on class is designed to provide step-by-step direction on how to activate LinkOut for a library’s print and electronic journal collections, so that users are able to view holdings and access full-text through the PubMed interface. Topics covered are registration for LinkOut, entering holdings, displaying a library’s icon for branding purposes, and access to free full-text through LinkOut. (4 MLA CE)

Time: 4 hours

Date: Wednesday, March 26, 1 pm to 5 pm

3. Keeping Up with PubMed
Description: With a hands-on approach, this class will show attendees how to use the features of PubMed effectively. Attendees will be able to describe the contents of PubMed; formulate basic search strategies; display, print, and save results in various formats; revise and refine searches; and use special features such as Related Articles, Link to journals, Citation Matcher, and Clinical Queries. The instructor will demonstrate online searches and students, at computers connected to the Internet, will be invited to follow along. Time for individual practice will be provided. (4 MLA CE) This class is intended for new or infrequent PubMed searchers.

Time: 4 hours

Date: Thursday, March 27, 9 am to 1 pm

4. PubMed for Experts

Description: Designed as an advanced class for experienced MEDLINE searchers. This hands-on class will highlight advanced PubMed techniques that can be used to conduct comprehensive searches. Attendees are encouraged to contribute past and present difficult searches to discuss with the class. (3 MLA CE)

Time: 3 hours

Date: Thursday, March 27, 2 pm to 5 pm

Happy new year from the Middle Atlantic Region! We are pleased to offer a number of online classes in 2008. Classes are FREE. All you need is an Internet-connected computer and a telephone. To sign up for a class, e-mail us at rml@library.med.nyu.edu

Thirteen classes will be offered—and four are new!

GENERAL

1. Introduction to RML Services NEW!

What can the RML do for you? This one-hour introduction will help new and existing members answer that question and more. Attendees will learn about free promotional materials, funding opportunities, and training sessions. Special focus will be paid to the NNLM MAR Website so that users can learn to find what they need when they need it.

Thursday, January 31, 10:00-11:00am

Thursday, February 7, 10:00-11:00am

Tuesday , March 18, 10:30-11:30am

Thursday, April 10, 3:00-4:00pm

Monday, May 12, 11:00am-12:00pm

EVALUATION

2. Clever Evaluation

Evaluating programs and projects is a lot like exercising: most of us know it’s very important and we plan to start doing it as soon as we have time. Cindy Olney, evaluation specialist for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine Outreach Evaluation Resource Center (OERC), will present a 90-minute session on evaluation methods that are quick, resourceful, and useful. Her strategies include using existing data, combining evaluation with other project activities, and enlisting the help of others in data collection. Cindy Olney has been an evaluation specialist since 1991 and has worked with the OERC since 2004. She specializes in planning and evaluation of health information outreach and public health projects.

Wednesday, February 13, 10:00-11:30am

Tuesday, May 6, 1:30-3:00pm

PUBMED

3. PubMed MyNCBI

This class is presented in two parts. You may attend either session or both.

Part I. Learn how to customize your PubMed experience using MyNCBI (formerly Cubby). Save your favorite citations, and keep current with automatic searches—the results will come straight to your inbox. Change the look of PubMed with custom tabs and highlighted search terms.

Part II. Create shared filters for your library users’ using MyNCBI. Shared filters allow you to activate LinkOut icons, specify display formats, and limit search results. Shared Filters are an important feature for any library that participates in NCBI’s LinkOut program.

Part I:

Tuesday, February 12, 10:00-11:00am

Wednesday , April 16, 3:00-4:00pm

Part II:

Tuesday, February 19, 10:00-11:00am

Wednesday, April 23, 3:00-4:00pm

OTHER NLM RESOURCES

4. Introduction to TOXNET NEW!

Learn how to find information on chemicals, toxic releases, toxicology literature, and toxicology data files with NLM’s TOXNET set of databases. TOXNET is a rich resource for environmental health, toxicology, and chemical hazards.

Thursday, February 14, 11:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday, April 15, 10:00-11:00am

RESOURCE SHARING AND DOCUMENT DELIVERY

5. LinkOut

This hands-on class is designed to provide step-by-step direction on how to activate LinkOut for a library’s print and electronic journal collections, so that users are able to view holdings and access full-text through the PubMed interface. Topics covered are registration for LinkOut, entering holdings, displaying a library’s icon for branding purposes, and access to free full-text through LinkOut. MLA CE credits available.

*This class is divided into two sessions. Attendance at both sessions is mandatory to receive CE credit*

Wednesday, March 12 and 19, 11:00am-12:00pm

Thursday, April 17 and 24, 1:00-2:00pm

6. DOCLINE for Beginners

The title says it all! If you are new to DOCLINE, this one-hour class will provide an overview.

Thursday , February 28, 11:00am-12:00pm

Wednesday, March 19, 2:00-3:00pm

Tuesday, May 6, 10:00-11:00am

7. DOCLINE SERHOLD: Searching, Updating, and Reporting NEW!

This course will focus on the SERHOLD feature of DOCLINE. Attendees will learn how to add new titles and formats to their library’s record, search SERHOLD for other library’s holdings, and utilize the SERHOLD reporting functions to make the most of this unique tool in DOCLINE.

Tuesday, February 26, 11:00am-12:00pm

Thursday, March 13, 1:00-2:00pm

8. DOCLINE: Reports, Routing Tables and More

This one hour class will cover some of the more specialized topics in Docline, including the reporting features and routing tables. Registrants are welcome to submit their “problem questions” to be answered during the course.

Thursday, January 31, 3:00-4:00pm

Thursday, March 13, 10:00-11:00am

Tuesday, May 6, 1:00-2:00pm

9. Copyright and ILL

Guidelines? Law? CONTU? This course will give a basic introduction to copyright including the exclusive rights of copyright holders, copyright duration, and fair use. Learn how copyright affects ILL and how librarians can better balance ILL service needs with copyright law. You will also gain an understanding of the features in DOCLINE that address copyright law.

Thursday, February 28, 3:00-4:00pm

Wednesday, April 16, 1:00-2:00 pm

TECHNOLOGY

10. Free Productivity Tools NEW!

Library’s budgets are always pinched for one thing or another. Did you know that there are a multitude of free software packages out there that do just about everything that commercial software packages can do? In this one hour class we’ll take a look at some of these software packages, their usefulness, their limitations and things to think about if you decide to go the free software route.

Thursday, March 20, 3:00-4:00pm

Wednesday, May 28, 3:00-4:00pm

11. Creative Commons: What Is It?
The digital age has caused a plethora of problems concerning copyright. Along comes the concept of Creative Commons to help define the rights of creators, users, and consumers. What is it and how is it used? Take this one hour online class and learn more!

Tuesday, February 19, 3:00-4:00pm

Monday, April 14, 3:00-4:00pm

CONSUMER HEALTH

12. Consumer Health Information at the Public Library

Public librarians, do you receive health information requests at the reference desk? Do you want to plan programming on health topics? Learn about National Library of Medicine’s free, authoritative consumer health web sites like MedlinePlus and NIH Senior Health.

Tuesday, February 26, 3:00-4:00pm

Wednesday, March 12, 2:00-3:00pm

Wednesday, April 16, 10:00-11:00am

13. Consumer Health Funding for Public Libraries

The hour-long online course will provide an overview of funding available from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) and National Library of Medicine. The class will review the existing awards from the NN/LM Middle Atlantic Region, review how awards are created and eligibility in applying for the awards. The class will also discuss options for public libraries to supplement awards with training, promotional items and other assistance from NN/LM MAR staff.

Friday, February 15, 12:00-1:00pm

Thursday, March 27, 11:00am-12:00pm

Tuesday, April 15, 3:00-4:00pm

The Middle Atlantic Region (MAR) of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) announces the availability of awards that support access to health information for libraries, consumers, health professionals and in particular reaching underserved populations; enhance the capacity of libraries to share resources, strengthen network member librarians’ skills in the use of NLM databases and increase the visibility of the NN/LM and NLM products and services.

 Awards are for full network members for technology, library improvement, and outreach.

 Deadline for applications for all awards is April 15, 2008.

 Technology Innovation Awards
For Full Network members to provide access to health information using technologies in a creative manner to reach underserved or difficult to reach populations. Projects must involve training or demonstrating the use of technology to the target population.

Technology Improvement Awards

For Full Network members to expand their access to health information, enhance services and provide seed funding for one-time technology projects or to bring technology to a library or community that has previously not had access to NLM products and services.

For more information, or to apply for an award go to: http://nnlm.gov/mar/funding/

Norma Blake, New Jersey State Librarian, has been named Library Journal‘s 2008 Librarian of the Year.  Ms Blake is on the cover of LJ‘s current issue, with an impressive article inside.  To read the full article, click here.

Blake is hailed for her promotion of libraries and information resources, including the New Jersey Knowledge Initiative and Jersey Clicks.

MAR congratulates Blake on her well-deserved accolade and thanks the New Jersey State Library for their continued support of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine.

The Library of Congress has begun a pilot project in which they are putting over 3,000 photos of their more than 14 million picture collection on Flickr. All of the pictures being posted to Flickr have no known copyright restrictions. They are depending on the Flickr community to help on tagging and commenting on the pictures.

View the Flickr Photo Pool.

View the Library of Congress’ blog entry on the project.

The gerontological research library of Polisher Research Institute, at the Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life, applied for this award.  This was a quality improvement project enabled by a Technology Improvement Award from the NN/LM MAR. The funds facilitated the purchase of resources to improve quality and delivery of documents, and facilitated the purchase of resources for a presentation to local patrons about the improved services. The most impressive piece of equipment purchased was a scanner whose flatbed glass extends just 1/8” from the edge of the machine, making it ideal for scanning bound materials without damaging the spines.  Before obtaining this scanner, articles were copied on a copier that was not well-suited for tightly bound materials, then the pages were run through the document feeder of a (different) scanner before emailing the resulting PDF files.  This resulted in reams of paper left over.  So the new scanner certainly has made the library greener. The scanner’s software can sense the orientation of the print and flip the pages as needed so that all pages are oriented correctly.  PDF files (even those in color) are small, facilitating transmission via email.  Color and grayscale scans are created with the press of a button, and adjustments to scan different page sizes can be made without fuss. The funds also enabled the purchase of a new color fax and color print machine, to replace older models that kept having problems.  How nice it is to be able to print photos of people that don’t look like little green men from Mars!

Receipt of the Technology Improvement Award has greatly improved document digitization and color quality for the benefit of the library’s external and internal customers.

Rachel R. Resnick- Madlyn and Leonard Abramson Center for Jewish Life, Edward and Esther Polisher Research Institute Library- North Wales, PA.

The Booker Health Sciences Library has been exhibiting at community health fairs since 2004 as an outreach effort to promote the library’s consumer health information home delivery service, as well as reliable consumer health resources.  Experience had shown that attendees at community health fairs do not generally stop at tables that only offer literature as a ‘giveaway’ or require an electronic demonstration.   The library’s home delivery service has grown in popularity over the years, particularly with the proliferation of active adult communities within Meridian Health’s catchment area.   Many of these residents, we found, did not own a computer or used a computer primarily for emailing or quick reference.   Providing reliable, credible health information for this target population helps to meet the NN/LM’s mission.  Refrigerator magnets provide the target population with a handy way to facilitate this.

Catherine Boss- Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ.

The Rochester Regional Library Council (RRLC) is a multi-type library network serving libraries and library systems in the Rochester, N.Y. region.  RRLC members include school, public, academic and special libraries.  The training grant awarded by the NN/LM offered the RRLC the opportunity to reach those members who were not necessarily familiar with using MedlinePlus and other NLM resources.  Three classes, which varied in format, provided hands-on training and take-home instructional material that could be shared with colleagues and patrons. These classes were scheduled over a period of three months, from August-November, 2007.

The first session was part of the popular “Summer School for School Librarians” series targeted to school librarians. Offered during August to attract school librarians “on vacation”, this session focused on MedlinePlus, demonstrating its usefulness for consumer health related questions.  Other NLM databases, including PubMed, Clincial Trials.gov and the Toxnet group of resources were also presented.

In a post-class evaluation, one of the librarians in attendance expressed her newly discovered knowledge of MedlinePlus as a wonderful source of consumer health information:  “I appreciate the different facets of this extensive database and the class notebook contributed to remind me of the various facets of MedlinePlus.  I was already able to share this with a colleague.”

The second session was offered as part of RRLC’s regular Monday Pizza Night series.  The Pizza Night series presents a different topic every week with librarians and other “experts” as presenters who provide information in an informal, friendly environment (with free pizza!)  “Pizza and Health Resources, featuring MedlinePlus” again focused on accessing MedlinePlus for consumer health questions, with emphasis on the type of questions asked by patrons in the public library.  PubMed, Clinical Trials.gov and Toxnet were described, using examples that might typically occur in a public library setting.

The third session, “Consumer Health Information:  Resources from NLM, NYS and Rochester”, included extensive coverage of the MedlinePlus database, a description of  PubMed and ClincialTrials.gov and Toxnet.  This expanded, three-hour session also included presentations from Carole Joyce, Project Director of CLIC-on-Health and Mary Ann Howie, Wellness Librarian, Stabins Wellness Information Center, Rochester General Hospital.

Carole Joyce described how CLIC-on-Health is a RRLC administered project that brings together libraries, health organizations and associations, healthcare delivery systems and educational institutions in order to provide the greater Rochester area with high-quality healthcare information and resources.  CLIC-on-Health includes a web portal with information that is specific to Rochester health care, and also includes in its interface the ability to search MedlinePlus and retrieve information from this resource.

Mary Ann Howie described how she utilizes MedlinePlus, as well as other NLM databases, to provide free service to the public (including libraries) through the Stabins Wellness Information Center, Rochester General Hospital.  During this session, emphasis was placed on how the librarians in attendance could work with area health sciences    librarians, developing partnerships through their use of MedlinePlus and the NLM resources. Attendees indicated the value of hearing from librarians who use these health resources on a regular basis.  One attendee stated “The binder and handouts and the multiple presenters made everything very easy to understand and you left feeling empowered with knowledge to pass on to patrons.”  Training materials created through this program are available for RRLC member libraries.

Through this series of classes our member libraries will be better able to use NLM’s consumer health resources and promote them to their patrons.  Improving access to quality health information is the rewarding result of the communication between RRLC’s public, school and health sciences library members.

Catherine Allen and Mary Ann Howie during RRLC’s classes in the MARquee.

Barbara Ciambor- Rochester Regional Library Council, Fairport, N.Y.