President's Page
I’m very excited to be stepping into the role of CAHSLA President for 2011-2012. For those of you who may not know me, I’ve been at The Christ Hospital on and off for the past ten years and was promoted to the Electronic Resources Librarian position after finishing my Library Science degree from the University of Kentucky. Regina Hartman, the Library Manager at Christ, has always encouraged us to be CAHSLA members and I’m really glad I’ve taken a more active role in the past couple of years – moving from Secretary to Vice-President, and now President.
I’m having a hard time resisting using a perhaps overused, but appropriate, literary quote: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, …” I think we’re all well-aware of why the “worst of times” is applicable in this age of funding and staffing issues that have hit libraries particularly hard, so I’m going to focus on the “best of times.”
We’ve already had an excellent membership meeting in late September organized by our Program Planning Committee. This year, in lieu of an individual to fill the Vice-President position, several CAHSLA members have stepped up to fill the role of Program Planning Chair/Committee: Brigid Almaguer, Regina Hartman, Amy Koshoffer, Val Purvis, and Edith Starbuck. Whenever I’m giving my CAHSLA “elevator speech” to a prospective new member, I always mention the strong camaraderie between the members, and I think the fact that there is always someone willing to step up and fill a void – regardless of their busy work and personal schedules – is a testimony to that fact.
In addition to the rest of the programming year, we’ve also decided to continue the CAHSLA TechConvo (formerly COCLS) meetings. The TechConvo is one of my favorite perks of CAHSLA membership – look for my write-up of the upcoming meeting below. Another big selling point of my CAHSLA marketing pitch is the fact that this group has been following and incorporating emerging technologies in their library work for over three decades! I’m a huge advocate of using technology to make information access for library patrons as seamless as possible, and I hope the TechConvo meetings will continue to be a springboard for ideas to accomplish that goal and more.
I’m looking forward to another year of CAHSLA events, and I hope to see everyone at the holiday gathering this winter!
-- Emily Kean, President
CAHSLA Membership Meeting
Xavier University, Conaton Learning Commons
September 29, 2011 5:30-7:30
Attendees: Brigid Almaguer, Kristen Burgess, Cathy Constance, Regina Hartman, Emily Kean, Amy Koshoffer, Lisa McCormick, Diana Osborne, Val Purvis, Barb Slavinski, and Edith Starbuck
Our program began with a tour of Xavier University’s newly constructed, renovated, and reorganized Conaton Learning Commons. Amy Ensor, Director for Content Management, was our guide. We were all impressed by the new surroundings including furniture, carpeting, a digital media center, group study areas, computer resources, reference desks and meeting spaces.
We had our dinner brought in from Aynies Deli by past president Regina Hartman. Incoming president, Emily Kean, commenced our business meeting at 6:30PM. The agenda consisted of reports from the Program Committee (Val Purvis, Brigid Almaguer, Edith Starbuck, Regina Hartman, and Amy Koshoffer) and Treasurer, Cathy Constance. We talked about Spring Grove Cemetery as a future meeting venue as well as the newly reopening Sign Museum. Membership dues for 2011/2012 were given to the treasurer.
Barb Slavinski opened the general discussion with a question about members experience with adding a library link to the EPIC form which could provide a resource for point-of-care information to patients about their various diagnoses. Val Purvis asked the group about their use of ILL eforms. And we eventually began talking about marketing hospital libraries, etc… as we watched a dark storm roll in from the giant windows in our meeting room. The meeting was swiftly adjourned and hopefully everyone made it to their cars before the rain deluge.
Brigid Almaguer, Secretary
CAHSLA TechConvo Corner
The CAHSLA TechConvo group (formerly COCLS) is an opportunity for CAHSLA members to meet informally to discuss emerging library technologies. CAHSLA TechConvo also has a wiki space to share and add to our meeting notes. If you would like access to the wiki, please go to the wiki URL and use the “Request Access” button to join: http://cahslatechconvo.pbworks.com/ Paid CAHSLA members are eligible for TechConvo membership.
The next TechConvo meeting will be November 14th from Noon to 1:30 at The Christ Hospital James N. Gamble Library. The topic for this meeting will be journal subscription practices. Sharon Purtee and Edith Starbuck from UC’s Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library will be present to discuss their paper presentation from Midwest MLA about managing journals by committee. More info about their paper is available on the Midwest MLA conference site.
Other topics for discussion might include: monitoring usage of online journals; using e-metrics/online journal usage to make addition/deletion decisions; navigating print versus online subscription decisions; managing online journal activation, maintenance, access issues; cost-per-use analysis, etc. Hope to see you there!
CAHSLA Financial Report 2010-2011
Checking Account Balance as of 6/9/2011 $2577.76
Deposits
Dues (8 regular) $200.00
Withdrawals
Sept meeting, food & water $112.29
Balance as of 10/28/2011 $2665.47
Cash
Balance as of 6/9/2011 $ 35.52
Withdrawals
Postage $ 1.80
Balance as of 10/28/2011 $ 33.72
Total Assets $2699.19
Paid members
Regular 8
Student
Life members 12
Total 20
Submitted by:
Cathy Constance, Treasurer
OHSLA Fall Meeting: “Information Anywhere”
The OHSLA Fall Meeting was held at the Kent State University Libraries on October 24, 2011. Max Anderson, GMR Technology Coordinator taught “Information Anywhere”, a four-hour class on mobile devices for 4 MLA Continuing Education credits. This well-attended class was an overview of mobile devices; what’s out there, who’s using them, how are they using them, how are we as individuals using them and specifically how our library users using them?
The potential for mobile devices in the medical field are numerous and physicians who own smartphones or iPads continue to increase. Potential uses include communication and disease management with patients, transmission of patient information, and access to patient histories at the point-of-care, plus much more. Max also talked about existing applications in the areas of clinical, research and library, and productivity. Among those featured were the NLM Mobile Applications at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/mobile.
Attendees learned what is involved with creating mobile applications and websites and were given the opportunity to create a simple mobile website. We were encouraged as well to think about where our libraries fit into this growing mobile world and what we can do for our library users.
The class was very informative and thought-provoking. Max Anderson provided an excellent overview of mobile devices, existing applications, potential developments, and ways that libraries can embrace and support mobile
information and access.
Edith Starbuck
University of Cincinnati Libraries
Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library
University of Cincinnati Libraries
Donald C. Harrison Health Sciences Library
Midwest Chapter/MLA
CE – a summary -- Presented on Oct. 11, 2011 from 8:00 – 12:00 a.m.
Electronic Collection Development Planning
by Joy Kennedy, MLS
Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights, IL
The objectives of the course included helping us to assess our need for electronic materials, revise a collection development policy that includes e-resources, review issues involving negotiating and licensing, discuss technological issues related to access and discuss future trends in electronic collection development.
There are many good reasons to develop an electronic vs a print collection. Libraries can do away with broken copiers, a single copy of a book checked out, a section torn from a library book, access to materials after closing time.
An assessment must be made to define our users and their information needs. The organization’s tolerance for risk, the technical support and the capabilities of the staff must be accounted for. An evaluation of the current collection must also be made.
Advantages to an electronic collection include 24/7 access, simultaneous access, quick turn-around, no physical management of print, e-pub ahead of print, audio/video options, full-text searching of content, no claiming. Disadvantages include set up, renewals & loss of access, missed issues, training users, changed interfaces, single vs aggregate, ip address changes, vendors vs aggregators, higher cost.
Policies for collection development must be made in a formal statement that allows for professional judgment. The policy will set standards, form a framework for collection assessment, define staff accountability, provide a buffer against complaints, provide consistency over time.
Aggregators are typically not publishers but publishers are becoming their own aggregators. Examples of aggregators are EBSCO, ProQuest, Ovid, Ingenta, OCLC First Search. Aggregators of full-text often include database access (Cinahl) and direct linkage makes it easier for patrons to use. Often they provide a large number of titles and often at a lower cost. Disadvantages include less control of the collection by the library, ILLs may not be allowed by the provider, embargos can limit the most current materials, quality can be grainy or blurry. The true cost of the package can be tricky to determine.
Purchasing directly from the publisher also has advantages and disadvantages. Costs can be better negotiated, back files can be included, embargos are less likely, additional content can be provided. However, dealing with individual publishers is time consuming and pricing can vary depending on your negotiating skills. Often, universities have more power to negotiate than hospitals.
Working within a consortium can save money but can create its own set of challenges. The members should have similar needs, someone must find potential members, signing a contract for multiple institutions can be complicated, diversity is reduced, someone must provide administrative functions such as billing and implementation. Some publishers refuse to cooperate with a consortium.
Various providers of online articles were discussed such as Biomed Central, PubMed Central, and others such as Access Medicine, MD Consult.
Electronic Book Aggregators and their platforms, features, advantages and disadvantages were considered. There is usually an annual platform charge and it is often based on the number of concurrent users. A special viewer might be required. Companies we are familiar with included StatRef, R2, and Books@Ovid. Negotiating license agreements should include a definition of the product as well as the responsibilities of both parties, what changes can be made. Your institution’s legal department must review the license before signing.
License agreements / contracts were discussed and a couple of “nevers” were mentioned. Never agree to the laws of other states. Never agree to mandatory or binding arbitration. Desirable clauses include the provision of COUNTER compliant statistics, perpetual access, archival access, and remote or off-site access.
Link Resolvers, a software that works to make connecting to electronic collections smoother by transmitting data through hypertext links, can cross platforms and connect various vendors. SFX (the first one), Serials Solutions, World Cat, Link Source from EBSCO, TDNet, Godot, UMLAUT and Link Solver from Ovid were discussed. There are clearly many vendors and many factors to consider. An evidence–based approach is best.
Remember: The wizard behind the curtain is keeping it all running!
QR Codes
Conglomerate of Poster Session and Presented Paper
QR Codes, or Quick Response Codes, generated a lot of interest at the conference. The data imbedded in the QR Code contains data that can be captured from a smartphone or similar device. The phone needs an app and the app can be loaded for free. Creating the code can also be done for free. A number of websites are available for both the app and for making your own QR codes.
QR Codes contain any variety of information. It may contain a sound bite describing artwork or it may provide directions for how to use the copier, or even allow access to an e-book owned by the library.
Conventional bar codes can store about 20 digits (or bits) of information whereas QR Codes handle about 8,000 digits. This increased capacity allows QR Codes to provide more content from textual to audiovisual.
The Ohio State Univ. HSL developed a plan to promote patron’s use of QR Codes after they placed the codes on book covers to alert users. They continue to track usage of this innovative technology. Tracking software is not typically found for free.
Here are a few websites for generating QR Codes.
Here is a site for a mobile app.
Here are a couple more where the speaker specific “for free”.
Sounds fun, huh?
-- Val Purvis
CAHSLA is now tweeting
A twitter account has been set up for CAHSLA. Currently we are following six tweeters: Krafty Librarian, Friends of the National Library of Medicine, NLM_newsroom, NLM_SIS, Medlineplus and the Pratt Library here in Cincinnati. Also we currently have two followers. Also a fav feed has been linked to our website. The feed displays tweets we have marked as favorite. We would love to hear suggested tweeters to follow, favorite tweets and ideas you have about making the best use of our account. Contact Emily Kean or Amy Koshoffer with your thoughts.
Follow us at twitter.com/CAHSLA
MLA Webinar
Wright State University Libraries is pleased to host the next Medical Library Association (MLA) webinar, "Connection to e-Science and Team Science: the Changing Nature of Research." If desired, participants can receive 1.5 MLA CE contact hours.
Additional information about the program and the presenters is available here:
http://mlanet.org/education/distance_ed/escience/escience_webinar.html
Date: Friday, November 18, 2011
Time: 2:00-3:30pm EST
Location: Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Room 341
Cost: free!
Parking and directions to WSU:
http://www.wright.edu/administration/parking/visitor.html
http://www.wright.edu/university-maps/campus-maps
The sponsorship of this webcast site has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, under Contract No. HHSN-276-2011-00005C with the University of Illinois at Chicago.
If you plan on attending, please contact me at 937-775-3840 or bette.sydelko@wright.edu to let me know so I can be sure to have enough handouts available. And also enough refreshments!
Wright State University Libraries is pleased to host the next Medical Library Association (MLA) webinar, "Connection to e-Science and Team Science: the Changing Nature of Research." If desired, participants can receive 1.5 MLA CE contact hours.
Additional information about the program and the presenters is available here:
http://mlanet.org/education/distance_ed/escience/escience_webinar.html
Date: Friday, November 18, 2011
Time: 2:00-3:30pm EST
Location: Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Room 341
Cost: free!
Parking and directions to WSU:
http://www.wright.edu/administration/parking/visitor.html
http://www.wright.edu/university-maps/campus-maps
The sponsorship of this webcast site has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, National Library of Medicine, under Contract No. HHSN-276-2011-00005C with the University of Illinois at Chicago.
If you plan on attending, please contact me at 937-775-3840 or bette.sydelko@wright.edu to let me know so I can be sure to have enough handouts available. And also enough refreshments!
Tech Flash
Amazon: Retailer, tech company … and library?
According to an article in the Seattle Business Courier by Aislyn Greene on 11/3/2011 when Amazon’s Kindle Fire is released November 15, “users will be able to borrow book for free through Amazon's new digital library. Amazon.com has launched a Kindle lending library that lets Amazon Prime members with any Kindle device, including the upcoming Fire, borrow books from the retailer.” Amazon announced that there will be 5,000 titles to start. CEO Jeff Bezos, in a press release, stated “Prime Members now have exclusive access to a huge library of books to read on any Kindle device at no additional cost and with no due dates.” Customers will be limited to “checking out” one book at a time using a Kindle app. This app will only be available on Kindle devices and no other type of ereaders will be able to provide this exclusive Amazon app. Amazon Prime Members pay a $79 per year membership fee.
According to a Wall Street Journal article, the six largest U.S. publishers have refused to participate in Amazon’s lending library venture citing fears that the program would harm book sales.
In another recent development, Amazon recently launched a program that lets Kindle readers borrow titles from their local public libraries.
CAHSLA Colleagues
Congratulations
On September 2, 2011, Cecil and Emily Rahe celebrated their 60th (diamond) wedding anniversary with "dinner out" for two. They received many cards, emails and phone calls from family and friends near and far. Cecil and Emily are busy in many community volunteer activities, and we are grateful that they have remained such a vital part of CAHSLA. We congratulate you, Emily and Cecil, on this amazing milestone and wish you much happiness in the years to come.
Kudos
Kristen Burgess, MSLS, is completing the second year of a National Library of Medicine (NLM) Associate Fellowship at the University of Cincinnati (UC) Health Sciences Library. The Associate Fellowship Program is a one-year postgraduate training program at the NLM with an optional second year. Kristen will focus on two primary areas during this year at UC: instruction and instructional design and the management and curation of e-only health sciences collections. Kristen's projects while at NLM include researching and planning recommendations for clinical coding system changes expected for MedlinePlus Connect, data analysis for the U. S National Resource Description and Access (RDA) Test, and legislative tracking. Kristen received her MSLS from the University of North Texas. She and her husband moved to Cincinnati from Atlanta, GA and are excited to explore the Midwest!
Emily Kean, MSLS, Electronic Resources Librarian at the James N. Gamble Library (TCH) is a co-author on a study recently published in the Journal of the Medical Library Association (JMLA), “Outreach impact study: the case of the Greater Midwest Region” (J Med Libr Assoc. 2011 Oct;99(4):297-303. PMID: 22022223). Emily and co-authors presented a poster on the study in Minneapolis at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association. “Objective: This project's goal is to engage library and information science (LIS) students in an outreach impact study. Students are conducting the study to determine the impact that National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Greater Midwest Region (NN/LM GMR), funding has on the ability of members to perform outreach on behalf of NN/LM. This project resulted from a subcontract from NN/LM GMR to the University of Kentucky School of LIS.
Lisa McCormick, MSLS, Library Manager at The Jewish Hospital was recently named the 2011 Excellence in Mission Award winner for Mercy Health Southwest Ohio Region (SWO). “The Excellence in Mission Award is intended to recognize one person from each region whose performance in their work is a particularly evident reflection of the mission. The recipient of the CHP (Catholic Health Partners) Excellence in Mission Award is chosen from among seven regional honorees, each of whom has been selected by his or her colleagues.” Alas, Lisa did not receive the CHP award. At the awards ceremony, however, in the introductions, she was described as being the manager of a “critical asset” – the library - to Jewish Hospital’s research and GME programs. As a follow-up to the Excellence in Mission Award, Lisa will be described in an employee engagement campaign. The following is the copy for the campaign: "Although Lisa McCormick does not prescribe medications or perform surgeries, her job in the Health Science Library is just as important as those on the front lines of health care; behind every request for research and data, Lisa knows there is a patient and family in need. As a participant in Leadership Rounds, Lisa has the privilege of checking on patients in the Cardiovascular Unit. Seeing the twinkle in the eye of the patient whose health is improving, because of research she provided a physician gives Lisa the satisfaction of knowing that she is a part of a bigger team that is providing the best possible care to all patients."
Welcome
We extend a warm welcome to Tiffany Hammer who began working at the Edward L. Pratt Library of Children’s Hospital Medical Center in July as a Library Assistant. She previously worked at the Oxford Lane Library and the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. Melida Busch, Director of the Pratt Library writes: “Though born in Honolulu, Tiffany is a long-time Cincinnatian. She received her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Kent State University in 2008. Tiffany shares her newly purchased home with her two cats Ducky and Batman.”
Library News
Melida Busch also writes: I would also like to let CAHSLA members know that we are on both Facebook and Twitter and would love to have local libraries and individuals join us:
http://facebook.com/prattlibrary
http://twitter.com/pratt_library
News from Retired Colleagues
From Barbarie Hill: I'm enjoying the beautiful fall weather and planning my next gardening projects. Our new grandbaby has arrived, and we are in NJ for a couple of days to meet her. Corinne Emilia Hill is adorable, of course, and we're just cuddling her and watching her every move. Jason and Angela are proud parents.
On the Web
“Dr. Google Will See You Now”
According to a recent survey conducted by Wolters Kluwer Health, about 46% of physicians frequently use search engines like Google and Yahoo to look up information on diagnoses and treatments. More than 300 physicians belonging to the American Medical Association participated in the survey.
Researchers asked physicians about how they obtained information for diagnosis and treatment and found that:
- 68% of respondents said they consult professional journals;
- 60% said they discuss the issues with colleagues;
- 46% said they use search engines like Google and Yahoo;
- 42% said they use conferences and events; and
- 42% said they use no-cost online services like WebMD.
For a copy of the report, Wolters Kluwer Health 2011 Point of Care Survey
“Just the facts, Ma’am” Library Theft Report in Blue Ash Police Blotter
Police reports can be the source of interesting information on our community and its residents. Recently, an online Blue Ash Community Press article highlighted the findings of reporter, Jeanne Houck in the article: From stabbed air conditioners to Armani thefts, Blue Ash police see it all. Saturday, August 06, 2011 5:25:31 PM www.cincinnati.com
One report Houck discovered related to the theft of a library card. Houck writes, “A woman at UC Blue Ash College, until recently called Raymond Walters College, decided she needed someone with a badge when her library card from the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County went missing. The police report valued the card at $2, an amount sure to raise the ire of librarians who believe access to books is priceless.”
Pardon the Error
The number of retracted journal papers rose 15-fold in 10 years according to data compiled by the Wall Street Journal and Thomson Reuters. In 2010, as stated in the report, 339 retraction notices were published in research journals, representing a more than 15-fold increase from 2001, when only 22 notices were published. Some journals say the increase means publications have gotten better at detecting errors, helped in part by new software that can determine instances of plagiarism. However, others say journals are more willing to publish questionable findings because of competition between publications and between researchers. For the full article, Mistakes in Scientific Studies Surge by Gautam Naik August 10, 2011.
According to a recent article in Wired Magazine teachers in the mid-1950’s asked the questions, “Why can’t Johnny read?” Today’s teacher is asking “Why can’t Johnny search?” Clive Thompson, Wired Magazine, on November 11, reviewed some of the issues confronting educators in terms of the inability of students to critically evaluate the information they find online. Thompson summarized a recent study out of the College of Charleston that demonstrated that these ‘digital natives,’ when given a research task, go straight to Google and take the first “low hanging fruit” they are presented.
Thompson writes, “Who’s to blame? Not the students. If they’re naive at Googling, it’s because the ability to judge information is almost never taught in school. Under 2001’s No Child Left Behind Act, elementary and high schools focus on prepping their pupils for reading and math exams. And by the time kids get to college, professors assume they already have this skill. The buck stops nowhere. This situation is surpassingly ironic, because not only is intelligent search a key to everyday problem-solving, it also offers a golden opportunity to train kids in critical thinking.”
Thompson goes on to describe the efforts of library professionals to teach critical thinking skills for searching. “Consider the efforts of Frances Harris, librarian at the magnet University Laboratory High School in Urbana, Illinois. (Librarians are our national leaders in this fight; they’re the main ones trying to teach search skills to kids today.)”
Though his conclusions are not new, they remind us of the importance of continuing to offer students a range of instruction (from beginning to refresher) on identifying credible information on the web. For the full text of the article, please go to Clive Thompson on Why Kids Can’t Search You may also wish to read a response to this article by Peter Pappas Why Johnny Can't Search - a Response
