Communities of Interest generate discussion and ideas

Following the two concurrent breakout sessions, the New England Region Communities of Interest initiative sponsored an open forum. The NER staff were making it a priority to let the non-RML library leaders in the front line of their hospital institutions introduce themsellves and the context of each community of interest.The point was also made that these communities are for all kinds of professionals with the same concerns.

Healthy Communities focuses on formal and informal approaches working with community-based organization and facilitating partnerships. Deb Clark is the leader on this initiative.

Health Literacy focuses on the communication of information and the critical skills needed for personal and community empowerment.   Caroline Marshall is the the leader on this initiative.

Kate Cheromka is the leader on the HealthIT initiative, forces that are dramatically changing the health care setting and its information systems to incorporate mandated implementations for an Electronic Health Record (EHR) and or a Patient Health Record.

eScience is also a community of interest, and Javier Crespo explained the momentum of interest building in eScience. An eScience Portal for New England Librarians has been developed to foster learning and collaboration in eScience

Lauri Fennell spoke about the Healthcare Workforce Community of Interest. There is lots of activity and interest in new roles for the healthcare workforce, as well as funds for training for new professions in community colleges.

Resource Management Recommentations

Melanie Norton, Joanne McIntyre (pictured), and Daniel Dollar offered their perspectives and recommendations for  a smoother and more productive experience with interlibrary loan, article exchange, and build more effective workflow in the resource sharing process. They also talked about saving money by avoiding the acceptance of checks and using systems such as EFTS and the OCLC IFM  system. In an age of increasing licensing agreements, there is no uniformity in how a license deals with borrowing or lending materials.

Knowledge Management breakout session

Margo Coletti and H. Mark Goldstein presented their research on how to promote the value of hospital libraries when they seem to be under siege.  In 2004, as part of its Regional Advisory Council (RAC), the National Network of Libraries of Medicine New England Region (NN/LM NER) formed the Hospital Library Subcommittee, with the charge to promote the value of hospital libraries throughout the region. Over its 7-year tenure, the Subcommittee has tracked a gradual decline in support for hospital libraries, as evidenced by budget cuts and library closures. The status quo had ultimately become untenable.  In 2009, the Subcommittee began to shift focus from library advocacy towards a new strategy: a 5-year plan to assist hospital libraries with the transition to healthcare knowledge services centers (HKSCs) within their institutions.  In addition to the breakout presentation, Margo and Mark also have a webinar version in the UMass eScholarship repository.

Getting around the Mohegan Sun Resort

Click on this small version of the property map to see the PDF, which can be downloaded into your computer or mobile device. There is also a map in your registration packet, but it never hurts to have a backup. The PDF of the Conference Program is also linked on the blog in the Hot Links section.

Lisa Sander's Book is available

Lisa Sanders MD is not only a columnist for the New York Times, but she also knows how to write a compelling tale, including her most recent book, Every Patient Tells a Story. The conference also has copies of her book available outside the Exhibit Hall.

NLM Speaker update

If you saw the program listing for the lunch speakers on Monday, we were looking forward to hearing the NLM update from Martha Fishel, the Chief of the Public Services Division. Unfortunately, Martha will not be able to present, but her colleague Sheldon Kotzin has graciously volunteered to present recent NLM activities. NLM Director Donald Lindberg, M.D. appointed Sheldon to the position of Associate Director for Library Operations in 2006.

Get conference help from staff wearing the conference button!

If you see a librarian wearing this button, they are part of the conference preparation team and can assist you with your needs or get you connected to the right person. For instance, where is the closest rest stop, or how to find an area or shop in the Resort & Casino. When Dr. Cimino talks on Monday about the EMR infobutton, you will already be familiar with the NAHSL/NY/NJ infobutton.