MAHSLIN NETWORK NEWS
A Quarterly Publication of the Massachusetts Health Sciences Library Network
Volume 23, No. 2, April 2003
MAHSLIN ANNUAL MEETING A SMASH HIT!
The 2003 meeting of MAHSLIN at the Tower Hill Botanical Gardens will be a hard act to follow.
The gavel passed from Roger Manahan to Cindy Hutchison, Director of Library Services at New England College of Optometry. Roger received a renewal of his Tower Hill membership as a thank you for his tenure as outgoing MAHSLIN President.
Elaine Martin gave an overview on what will be up-and-coming at the RML. Grants will change somewhat, as the funding categories will be different during the next round of applications.
Ed Donnald updated the membership on NAHSL, turning the podium over to Len Levin who is planning the Fall conference at Sturbridge, MA in October. It's likely that MAHSLIN will evince a strong showing at the conference this year as it will be hosted in our home state. Roger Manahan informed the membership that MAHSLIN Committee Reports have been posted to the web for perusal, at: http://library.umassmed.edu/mahslin
Two MAHSLIN members were elected to the MAHSLIN Hall of Fame for their participation in forming MAHSLIN and serving in multiple roles within the organization. Cherie Haitz and Sydney Fingold were honored by their peers with hearty applause. Congratulations, Sydney and Cherie, for well-deserved recognition.
Cindy Hutchison is looking forward to her year in office. Her term as MAHSLIN President got off to a fine start as MAHSLIN once again enjoyed the pleasant surroundings at Tower Hill combined with a dynamic roster of speakers.
Nancy Houfek, Head of Voice and Speech at the American Repertory Theater, Harvard University, gave a fascinating talk entitled The Art of Presentation. Using her skills as a professional actor, Nancy walked MAHSLIN members through the artistry of effective performance, and how acting techniques and use of "personal power" can enhance communication at the professional level.
Outside the usual boundaries of hard medical library science, members of MAHSLIN enjoyed "playing with energy," as Nancy described it, i.e. learning to direct effective communication to fellow audience members from the far corners of the room.
Nancy invited several members of the audience to demonstrate key concepts of her presentation, including Anne Fladger, Chris Bell, Margo Coletti and Peter Droese. These adept MAHSLIN members evinced themselves well in mastering the art of effective performance.
After a hearty lunch, Margo Crist, Director of Libraries at UMass Amherst spoke of her experiences as an Academician during her lecture A Special Edge in the Knowledge World. Her advice on the future of knowledge and information management coupled with her expertise in the academic librarianship arena gave MAHSLIN members much to think about, and reaffirmed the importance of librarians in the technological world of the future.
A panel of recognized medical librarians then spoke on Best Practices of medical librarianship. Joan Yanicke and Chris Bell shared their success stories, outlining their exemplary programs and services, after which they opened up the floor to specific questions and answers.
MAHSLIN members were further treated to the video Fish!, which was an eye-opening look at how attitudes can have a walloping impact on business performance, even in the most menial-seeming jobs. The video detailed how Pike Place Fish, a fish market in Seattle, had developed a philosophy around four simple tenets, Have Fun, Be There for your Customers, Make their Day and Choose your Attitude. The results had MAHSLIN members laughing out loud.
The meeting concluded with the rollout of the MAHSLIN Public Service Announcement to the membership by PR Co-Chair Donna Beales, who thanked MAHSLIN participants for all of their hard work. A send-off snack was thoughtfully provided for the long ride home. Kudos to many behind-the-scenes people who made the event a strong success, Deanna Lucia, Susan Orlando, Beth Schneider, and Marilyn Steinberg, Program/Logistics Committee; Pat Davis and Ann Tomes, Registraton; and Penny Glassman and Mary Piorun, Technical Support.
MAHSLIN SUBCOMMITEE MEETS WITH THE MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOCIETY TO DISCUSS ROLE OF MEDICAL LIBRARIES IN CME
On April 11, a subcommittee met with members of the Massachusetts Medical Society (MMS) to discuss changes to Continuing Medical Education standards relating to Massachusetts Medical Libraries.
The meeting took place at the Hartwell House in Lexington. Caroline Carregal, Director of the MMS Medical Education program, and Sharon Nordling, Manager of the MMS Accreditation Program joined MAHSLIN Subcommittee Chair Anne Fladger and committee members Chris Bell, Florence Mercer, and Donna Beales to discuss the role of Medical Libraries in physician continuing medical education (CME) in Massachusetts.
The meeting was initiated when the MAHSLIN membership became aware of wording changes to the MMS Essentials and Standards, which serve as benchmarks for accredited CME programs in the state. There was some concern on the part of MAHSLIN that the changes might be perceived as lessening the important role Massachusetts medical libraries play within continuing medical education, which in turn could have the potential to impact library budgets and staffing levels.
The preliminary meeting focused on the specific concerns of MAHSLIN, as well as the challenges faced by the MMS in crafting standards for healthcare organizations of all sizes and types offering accredited CME programs.
The tone of the meeting was professional and positive. Chair Anne Fladger and committee member Chris Bell came to the table well-prepared, and placed several key documents into the hands of Caroline Carregal, including current MLA recommendations.
All agreed that more discussion is warranted. Another meeting is currently being planned to further explore medical library participation in CME.
MAHSLIN RELEASES PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT MAY SAVE MASSACHUSETTS LIVES
Through an Exhibit Award grant from the NN/LM RML New England Region, MAHSLIN has prepared a 30 second Public Service Announcement (PSA):
The purpose of the PSA is to promote MAHSLIN wherever MAHSLIN may be part of an exhibit, such as at NAHSL or MLA. The video was shown most recently at the Technology Everywhere: Panning for Gold conference held at the Massachusetts Medical Society in February. Many conference participants stopped to watch the production as they made their way through the exhibits, and the overall response was very positive.
A copy of the production will be available for MAHSLIN members to borrow for any promotional event they may initiate. One MAHSLIN member, Anne Fladger, has already used the video with a group of teens as a catalyst for discussion about the profession of Medical Librarianship.
The PSA is the culmination of over 120 hours of work done by the MAHSLIN Executive Board and the Executive Board PR Subcommittee under the direction of Donna Beales, MAHSLIN PR Co-Chair.
The spot was distributed to major Boston television affiliates for potential on-air broadcast. Currently, MAHSLIN has received no word on air times/dates.
Featured in the PSA are several MAHSLIN members, who donated their time and talents as actors. Margo Coletti, Director of the Agoos Medical Library at Beth Israel Deaconess Med. Center plays the role of a sick person. Michelle Eberle (Carr Health Sciences Library, Cambridge Health Alliance, Somerville Hospital), Christine Fleuriel (Baruj Benacerraf Library, Dana-Farber Cancer Inst.), and Elizabeth Killoran (Director, Milford-Whitinsville Regional Hospital) rush in to offer Margo unsolicited medical advice, in the form of books, computers, and poison bottles, along with MAHSLIN Past President Roger Manahan (Director, Gilman Health Sciences Library, Mercy Med. Center), who brandishes snake oil.
Peter Droese (Health Librarian, Division of Medical Assistance State of Massachusetts, Boston) steps in as the confident and reassuring medical librarian who helps find good information. The spot ends as viewers are directed to contact their local medical facility for more information, or visit the URL of MedlinePlus.
The video uses an image of an actual snake oil bottle that appeared as part of the NLM historical collection. Merck Pharmaceutical executive William H. Helfand, the owner of the image, granted copyright permission to use the image in the MAHSLIN PSA.
Further permissions were obtained from NLM to use video shots of MedlinePlus. Rix Video of Lowell shot and edited the PSA footage. Audio tech Mark McNeil provided an original musical score and vocal talents for the production.
The PSA was officially premiered at the MAHSLIN Annual Meeting on April 24th. Anyone who would like to borrow a copy of the tape for a promotional event can contact Donna Beales at: dbeales@lowellgeneral.org
MERGER NEWS
At Boston's Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, the Agoos Medical Library has merged with the West Campus Library. The new facility, the Lassor & Fanny Agoos Medical Library, provides more space for both books and staff. Library hours have also increased (new staff hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday -Friday).
The new contact information is: Agoos Medical Library Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center One Deaconess Road Boston, MA 02215 Main Phone No: (617) 632-8480
Library Director: Margo Coletti (617) 632-8483
Medical Librarians:
Paul Vaiginas:(617) 632-8311
Diane Young: (617) 632-8312
April Silver: (617) 632-8481
Henrietta Green: (617) 632-8482
Jay Daly: (617) 632-8483
LAMAR SOUTTER LIBRARY IN THE NEWS
By Elaine Martin, Director
The Lamar Soutter Library, UMass Medical School, hosted its fourth annual open house on Thursday April 3, 2003 from 10AM-3PM. This was a particularly special event for us as we celebrated the completion of our $1.5 million remodel project and the opening of a new Humanities in Medicine Collection, donated by the Worcester District Medical Library of the Worcester District Medical Society.
The Lamar Soutter Library, UMass Medical School has been awarded an outreach project award from the National Library of Medicine to provide information access and training to parents of chronically ill children in Central Massachusetts. Elaine Martin, Director of Library Services, is the Principal Investigator and Nancy Harger, Reference Librarian, is the Project Manager. The project is for 18 months and expands our efforts to provide information services to pediatric patients and their patients.
On April 28th, Len Levin started as the new HealthNet Assistant Director. Len will be working with Nancy Harger, Reference Librarian, on implementing our new Pediatric Library grant and in redesigning and refocusing the HealthNet Project, a consumer health outreach initiative of the Lamar Soutter Library.
Effective April 4th, Javier Crespo was named Acting Associate Director, NN/LM, NER. Please refer any questions related to NER office operations to Javier at the New England Regional Medical Library Office.
Effective March 31, 2003-08/31/04, the Lamar Soutter Library was one of 37 awardees nation-wide funded from the National Library of Medicine to expand its consumer health outreach program to pediatric patients and their families throughout Central and Western Massachusetts. Nancy Harger and Len Levin will be coordinating this program.
BROCKTON HOSPITAL RECEIVES GRANT
By Mary Ann Finnegan
A few good things have occurred this year for us. Resources. A lengthy review process collaborating with all chiefs-of-service, the Library Committee and high-volume users resulted in the awarding of $8,156.99 by the Medical Staff to purchase 54 reference books to update the current collection and the motion to continue updating as needed. We held a 'Commemorative Bookplate Reception' in the library for medical staff to celebrate the occasion by placing a specially designed bookplate in one of their favorite new books. Great Fun! Additionally, we were awarded one of the RML's Internet Connectivity grants to purchase a digital-sender which has had huge benefits for library operations as well as many other departments. We now offer to digitize documents to associates' shared drives or email. It has enhanced productivity and reduced the costs of sending articles throughout the organization. Additionally, we continue to be successful in our Work-Study Scholarship Program which reduces the cost of two nursing students who work four hours weekly assisting library staff and extending library hours to Saturday mornings from 8am - noon. This program was created four years ago in conjunction with the Brockton Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association who were approached for supporting the library's theme of 'Nurses helping Nurses'. It's a huge success. Anyway, I feel better just verbalizing the good stuff. And the beat goes on to contribute in original, pragmatic, and yes, fun ways to the healing mission!
MAHSLIN DIRECTORY ADDITIONS/ CHANGES
Please submit all MAHSLIN Directory updates to Bonnie Hsu, hsub@southcoast.org
RENEWAL MEMBERS Terry O'Brien Library Assistant Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital 125 Nashua Street Boston, MA 02114 617-573-2415 FAX: 617-573-2419 tmobrien@partners.org
PEOPLE AND PLACES
The Medical Library at Brockton VA Hospital has a new librarian, Martha Roberts. She comes to the Brockton VA from the VA in Manchester, N.H. Many MAHSLIN members may know her from her participation in NAHSL.
MAHSLIN member Carole Foxman recently coauthored the following article: Stone ME, Foxman C, Sostack M, Francar L, Hall P, Markwell LG. "Ask a librarian": the experiences of four hospital libraries. Med Ref Serv Q. 2002 Summer;22(2):93-105.
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