Introduction and Invitation for Public Comment

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is an independent, non-profit health research organization.  Its mission is to fund research that offers patients and caregivers the information they need to make important healthcare decisions.  PCORI focuses on “comparative clinical effectiveness” research.  These are studies that compare options for preventing disease and providing treatment and care.  PCORI does so by:

1. Identifying national priorities for research.
2. Creating a research agenda based on identified priorities.
3. Funding research consistent with these priorities and agenda.
4. Providing patients and their caregivers with useful research information.

Visit the following to see the draft presented for public comment:  http://www.pcori.org/assets/PCORI-Draft-National-Priorities-and-Research-Agenda-2.pdf.

You are invited to join the faculty and staff of the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library for the Priscilla M. Mayden Lecture on Wednesday, February 22 at 1:00 pm (Mountain Time) via the program link for viewing from a distance.  This year’s Mayden lecturer is Bart Ragon, Associate Director for Library Technology Services and Development.  Mr. Ragon’s lecture focuses on eScience and the Evolution of Library Services.  Not just for librarians, eScience / eResearch potentially impacts faculty, staff and student access to the data, tools and resources needed to collaborate, share and move science forward.

Mr. Ragon’s topic description:  “Science is changing and changing fast. Concepts like the data life cycle, data curation, translational science, high performance computing, and data sharing are having an impact on how science is conducted.  At the same time, libraries are adjusting services to meet the needs of highly networked and technically savvy patron groups.  eScience is a term that describes the dynamic re-shaping of collaboration and workflows in science and creating unique and important opportunities for librarianship.  This presentation explores potential roles for librarians in eScience, how new collaborations might form, and the role of the libraries in the data life cycle.”

There is no registration or fee to attend.  The program is being broadcast live and archived for on-demand viewing.  The program link will be available on the Mayden Lecture page for viewing from a distance:  http://library.med.utah.edu/or/pmayden/home.php.  For more information contact Jeanne Le Ber; 801-585-6744.

ALA is offering a two-session online workshop “Integrating iPads and Tablet Computers into Library Services.”  The workshop includes examples of uses and policies from a few libraries, reviews of the apps that libraries are using, and reviews of the hardware options.  Even though the workshop does not have a health sciences focus, previous attendees recommend it highly.

More details:  http://www.alastore.ala.org/detail.aspx?ID=3495&zbrandid=4634&zidType=CH&zid=9884810&zsubscriberId=1026633937&zbdom=http://ala-publishing.informz.net

We are pleased to announce that MAR is now fully staffed.  We would like to take this opportunity to introduce our team.

• Barbara A. Epstein, HSLS Director, is responsible for overall implementation of the contract, and will lead planning and implementation of the Regional Medical Library for the Middle Atlantic Region.

• Renae Barger, Executive Director, is responsible for leadership, development, administration and evaluation of MAR programs.  Renae serves as a liaison to the National Library of Medicine, other Regional Medical Libraries and the Network members.

• Tristan Lucchetti, Administrator, will manage the budget, as well as monitor and track expenditures for subcontracts and awards.

• Michelle Burda, Network and Advocacy Coordinator, will plan Network member programs, with an emphasis on advocacy and changing roles for the information professional; coordinate outreach activities to hospital librarians; and manage the Region’s Membership and DOCLINE program.

• Lydia Collins, Consumer Health Coordinator, will have lead responsibility for developing, coordinating, and implementing consumer health information programs and providing outreach to public libraries and consumer groups, including soldiers, veterans and their families, senior citizens, caregivers, K-12 schools, and community-based and faith-based organizations.

• Kate Flewelling, Outreach Coordinator, will develop outreach programs to health professionals, with emphasis on services to unaffiliated health professionals, minority health professionals, public health workers, and mental health professionals.

• Melissa (Missy) Harvey, Technology and Communication Coordinator, will identify and evaluate technologies for MAR programs and develop a communication strategy to ensure that Network members and others in the region are informed about MAR activities, award opportunities and other initiatives.  Missy will also provide support for academic librarians within the MAR.

The MCH Library at Georgetown University presents a new knowledge path, Preconception and Pregnancy.  The knowledge path points to a selection of resources that analyze data, describe effective programs, and report on policy and research aimed at improving access to and quality of preconception and prenatal care to improve perinatal health outcomes.

View the knowledge path at http://www.mchlibrary.info/KnowledgePaths/kp_pregnancy.html.

Companion resource briefs include the following:

• For Families http://www.mchlibrary.info/families/frb_pregnancy.html
• Adolescent Pregnancy and Parenting http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/adolpregnancy.html
• Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) and Families http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/ART.html
• Childbirth http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/childbirth.html
• Fertility and Infertility http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/infertility.html
• Medications http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/medications.html
• Nutrition During Preconception and Pregnancy http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/nutritionpregnancy.html
• Screening http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/screening.html
• Tobacco, Alcohol, and Substance Use during Preconception and Pregnancy http://www.mchlibrary.info/guides/substancepregnancy.html

Posted January 12, 2012:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/pubs/techbull/jf12/jf12_hsr_pm_queries.html.  NLM Technical Bulletin 2012 Jan-Feb; (384):e4.

The ¡VIVA! Peer Tutors of the South Texas Independent School District are conducting a nationwide health literacy challenge.  Students enrolled in U.S. schools in grades 6-12 can submit a video promoting the website MedlinePlus.gov.  Video submission will open February 1, 2012 and will close March 23, 2012.  Winners will be announced on the ¡VIVA! website and Facebook page on April 16, 2012, and winning videos will be posted on the ¡VIVA! website.  For complete details about the video contest please visit the ¡VIVA! website at:  http://bla.stisd.net/viva.html.

Ann Vickman
Librarian
Biblioteca Las Américas
http://bla.stisd.net

The National Science Foundation has released its biennial report, “Science and Engineering Indicators: 2012.”  The 600+ page compendium of data concerning research workforce and spending trends highlights the increased spending by China and India in scientific technology and education and a major drop in state funding for U.S. public research institution.  

http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/news/news_summ.jsp?cntn_id=122859&org=NSB&from=news

http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind12/

You may be interested in a new resource called the DMPTool (https://dmp.cdlib.org/).  Using the DMPTool templates and guidance, your researchers can:

• Create ready-to-use data management plans for specific funding agencies
• Meet requirements for data management plans
• Get step-by-step instructions and guidance for data management plan
• Learn about resources and services available at your institution to fulfill the data management requirements of their grants

Several universities and organizations are developing the DMPTool, led by the California Digital Library and the University of Virginia Library’s Scientific Data Consulting Group (SciDaC) (http://www2.lib.virginia.edu/brown/data/).

Calling on MAR members to bring their expertise to volunteer and serve on the MAR Regional Advisory Committee or a Special Advisory Group

MAR is forming its Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) and four Special Advisory Groups (SAGs):

• Outreach to Health Professionals & Public Health Workers
• Consumer Health
• Hospital Libraries
• Resource & Academic Libraries

Now is your chance to help shape MAR programming and showcase your expertise.  To volunteer, complete our online application form (http://nnlm.gov/mar/about/volunteer.html) by January 22, 2012.

One in-person meeting will be scheduled before April 30th to introduce members.  Virtual meetings will occur at least every quarter.