President’s Page 
Necessity is the mother of invention, or in this instance, the founding of a library organization intended to support the cooperative sharing of resources in greater Cincinnati. Forty years ago, a group of concerned and motivated librarians were propelled to band together to support the work of their libraries. The year CAHSLA was founded, 1973, can be remembered for the price of gas at 40 cents per gallon; the tennis match billed as the “battle of the sexes” between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs; and changes in the National Library of Medicine’s funding for interlibrary loans and other extramural outreach programs. Over the past forty years, many outstanding and innovative library professionals have served in leadership and supporting roles for the organization. Together, CAHSLA members have accomplished so much for the benefit of the clients we serve at our respective hospital, academic and corporate organizations.The community that was formed in 1973 has grown and evolved to meet the ever-changing demands health sciences library professionals face. For this issue of the Chronicle we decided to reprint the CAHSLA history archivist Jane Thompson wrote in 2004. For those new to the organization, and for those of us who might just be memory-challenged, it is a wonderful reflection on this great organization and the many outstanding professionals who have led or been members of CAHSLA.
I was struck by a comment captured in Jane’s history. This may have been said for another time period with far different circumstances, but the words are still pertinent today. Jane writes: “In spite of small staffs, small budgets, and little time, though, the members of CAHSLA have managed to speak up and out, and to make a difference. … In the words of Kay Barkley, chair of the original ad hoc committee that founded CAHSLA, and chairman (the title for President) in 1978, "Perhaps one of the most valuable advantages which CAHSLA has to offer is the opportunity to get acquainted with each other on a one to one basis and thereby exchanging ideas and services."
I invite you to become “acquainted” with your colleagues in CAHSLA by renewing your membership and recruiting new members. You will have many occasions this year to further those acquaintances and “exchange ideas and services” by participating in the programming, especially the Tech Convos. The Program Committee, chaired by Edith Starbuck, has planned an exciting calendar of programs for the association year. Happy anniversary, CAHSLA Colleagues, and cheers for a bright and happy future! And, let’s party like it was … MCMLXXIII!
Lisa McCormick
2013-2014 CAHSLA Program Committee Report
The members of this year’s CAHSLA program committee are Sharon Purtee, Mary Piper, Nonnie Klein, Peggy Frondorf, and Kristen Burgess. We held a planning meeting in August and mapped out the program year.The CAHSLA program year got off to a start with the celebration of CAHSLA’s 40th anniversary on September 18th in the lovely Lucas Room at the UC Winkler Center for the History of the Health Professions. A group of us enjoyed sharing memories of early CAHSLA members and activities. We also tested our memories of CAHSLA trivia and library memorabilia. See a more complete report of the celebration elsewhere in the Chronicle.
A social gathering at the Moerlein Lager House is coming up next. We explored doing a CAHSLA program there but the room rental and food cost per person changed our minds. A social gathering seemed like a good alternative so please let Peggy (peggy.frondorf@uc.edu ) know what date between October 28 and November 4 would work for you. We’ll reserve a table or two and have a good time together.
Mark your calendars for the CAHSLA holiday party on December 12th! Mary Piper has graciously offered to host this annual event. So bring a dish and a children’s book to donate. Be ready to play some holiday games and sing a few carols. In November we’ll ask for ideas about where to donate children’s books this year. If you already have a suggestion, please email me at edith.starbuck@uc.edu.
Sometime in February we’ll visit the American Watchmaker – Clockmaker Institute in Harrison, OH. Sharon Purtee discovered this institute and museum that certifies master watch and clock makers. They have a library and also offer education and training programs, tours and exhibits. So plan to join us for a look at this unique clock and watch archive.
In late April or early May, Mary Piper is arranging a tour of the historic Hauck House on Dayton Street. Come see this beautiful Italianate mansion where John Hauck, the wealthy German brewery owner lived.
The CAHSLA program year will wrap up with the annual picnic already scheduled for June 19th! Although we considered other parks, the Daniel Drake Park won out again for ease of access and amenities.
CAHSLA just celebrated 40 years as an active organization. Let’s each do our part to keep this organization going for another 40 years. We look forward to seeing you throughout the year at these upcoming programs!
Edith Starbuck, Vice President and Program Committee Chair
Financial Report 2013-2014
Checking Account Balance as of 6/26/2013 $2474.24
Deposits
Dues (7 regular) $175.00
Withdrawals
Reserve picnic shelter for June picnic $ 50.00
Membership meeting, food, beverages, supplies $190.81
Balance as of 9/24/2013 $2408.43
Cash
Balance as of 6/26/2013 $ 34.44
Withdrawals
Balance as of 9/24/2013 $ 34.44
Total Assets $2442.87
Paid members
Regular 7
Student 0
Life members 11
Total 18
Submitted by:
Cathy Constance, Treasurer
9/24/2013
2013-2014 CAHSLA Minutes
Fall Membership & 40th Anniversary Meeting
Date: Sept. 18, 2013Place: Univ Cincinnati, HSL Winkler Center, Lucas Room
Attendees: L. McCormick, R. Hartman, S. Mason, L. Schick, K. Burgess, J. Heffron, M. Piper, E. Kean, C. Baker, P. Young, E. Starbuck, B. Slavinski, V. Purvis, C. Constance, S. Purtee, D. Osborne, A. Koshoffer.
President Lisa McCormick opened the meeting welcoming members and guests. Attendees introduced themselves along with a brief mention of when they first joined Cahsla. Special Guest, Penny Young, was introduced as a founding member.
Program Committee: Edith Starbuck, V.P. and Program Committee Chair, In addition to a social gathering, the annual holiday party and picnic, 2 meetings are coming up that will be held in some interesting locations. The Program Committee Report will appear in the Fall Chronicle.
Treasurer/Membership: Cathy Constance gave her report on the financial state of the organization (solvent) and on the number of memberships. She announced that it is time for members to renew at a cost of $25.00. Many attendees renewed during this meeting. C. Constance sent an e-mail on Sept. 18th containing all the info needed for renewing including an attached renewal form.
Technology: Emily Kean reported the new WordPress website is now up and the membership form is online. http://www.cahsla.org/
Chronicle: Lisa McCormick announced the deadline for the next edition of the newsletter is Sept. 25th, 2013.
People then shared stories and early memories of CAHSLA. Several trivia games were played with prizes to motivate winners. A cake supplemented the healthy fare that all enjoyed.
Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
Respectfully Submitted for Brigid Almaguer,
Valerie Purvis
CAHSLA Memories – Like the Corners of My Mind
During the anniversary celebration at the UC Winkler Center on September 18, the question was posed to the gathering: What are some of your favorite memories of CAHSLA meetings or CAHSLA members? What follows are some of those favorite memories.Penny Young, in attendance at the very birth of the CAHSLA organization, recalled that Nancy Lorenzi was dictating a letter to be sent to prospective members. In the content of the letter she spoke about the search technique that uses Boolean Logic. Unfortunately, when the letter was transcribed by the department secretary, the words had been interpreted to be “bully on logic”; something we can all stand behind to this very day.
Lisa McCormick remembers that Alice Hurlebaus so loved the liqueur Amaretto that the reps from Majors Books purchased Alice her very own bottle during the B&B Riverboat cruise for the 1983 Midwest Chapter Meeting social event!
Carol Baker wondered if the UC HSL elevator still breaks down as it was notorious for doing soon after it was installed. She shared that she was a victim of the stalled elevator one time shortly after she started working in the library. Sharon Purtee reported that the elevator does continue to break down on an irregular basis.
Val Purvis told about a CAHSLA meeting held at the Cincinnati Public Library showing off the newest building addition when about 15 CAHSLA librarians crowded onto the old elevator and it got stuck. The lights went out and the circulating fan shut down, and soon it got very warm in there. One poor claustrophobe suffered terribly until the library’s maintenance crew opened the elevator doors and we could see that we were about 4 ft. below the floor level. A ladder was lowered in and we were all helped out to everyone’s great relief.
Several of CAHSLA’s current members remember being mentored by some of the founders or early members of CAHSLA. Many of these early members were instrumental in moving Cincinnati health sciences libraries into cooperative ventures. The earliest cooperative venture was the BRS Consortium spearheaded by Don Smith.
Some more recent CAHSLA members had no particular memories but offered that they appreciate how welcoming CAHSLA is as an organization to new members and how much they enjoy the meetings and other social gatherings.
Val Purvis
A Little CAHSLA History
by Jane Thompson, Archivist
[Originally published in the Chronicle in 2004]
The organization known today as the Cincinnati Area Health Sciences Libraries Association or CAHSLA, owes its origin to the Medical Library Assistance Act of 1965, which funded the creation of a nation-wide system of biomedical resource libraries to meet the needs of health professionals. The system was named the Regional Medical Library Program. The 50 states plus Puerto Rico were divided into 11 regions, with one library in each region designated as the Regional Medical Library (RML). Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan composed Region 5, called KOM or KOMRML. Each RML was responsible for 3 services: ILL, online MEDLINE, and extramural services, headed by an Extramural Coordinator who worked with all of the biomedical libraries in the region. Subsequently, in 1982, our region was retitled Greater Midwest Regional Medical Library Network (GMRMLN) and we became a 10-state region with 20 resources libraries.
The first documented organization of medical librarians in Cincinnati was called the Medical and Nursing School Librarians of Greater Cincinnati Area (MNSLGCA). This group, active in the 70's, included some hospital administrators as well as librarians. Members brought lists of book and journal purchases for the year, missing issues lists, and problems: "Name your problems, one of us will be able to come up with an answer" promised a meeting announcement.
In 1973, federal funding for ILL was drastically reduced. Local groups were encouraged to organize to provide the service that the RMLs had been providing. The KOMRMLN (remember what that was?) "offered the privilege of observer representatives to attend the Executive Board meetings" of KOMRML in an effort to facilitate communications between the local groups and the KOM office. On July 17, 1973 a meeting of the KOM Institutional Affiliates was held to discuss the new Interlibrary Loan policies. Mary McClanahan, Penny Young, and Naomi Adelman, Medical Center Libraries led the discussion.
Alma P. Forbes, Chief Librarian of the VA Hospital sent a letter on July 25, 1973 to her "Fellow Librarians" in Cincinnati, stating that "We feel that an organization of the health sciences and technical libraries affiliated with the University of Cincinnati Medical Center libraries has become necessary. Such an organization would enable us to designate a representative who could serve as our liaison with the K.O.M. and voice our point of view." An undated letter from Kay Barkley, Jewish Hospital, goes into the detail of what the cut in funding meant for local libraries: UC would only be able to supply 75 free ILLs to area institutions, and some sort of system needed to be set up by the hospitals to lend among themselves for no fee, in addition to the UC ILLs.
In response to these challenges, an ad hoc committee was empanelled to come up with an organizational plan. Kay Barkley was elected chair of the committee.
A meeting was held on August 23, 1973 at Jewish Hospital, chaired by Kay to present the proposed organization. At this meeting an ad hoc committee was formed, chaired by Don Smith, St. Elizabeth's, which was charged to draft a Constitution and By-Laws for the Association of Greater Cincinnati Health Science Libraries. Other members of the ad hoc committee were Kay Barkley, Alma Forbes, Jan Schneider, Margaret Thomas, and Marjorie Shriner. By September 12 the name used was Cincinnati Area Health Sciences Libraries Association. The Association was officially formed at the September 20, 1973 meeting at the VA Hospital. The constitution was adopted and officers elected: Janice Schneider, Chair, Don Smith, Vice-Chair, Anne Feduff, Secretary, and Frances McCullough, Treasurer.
The first general meeting was held February 6, 1974 with a presentation on Audiovisuals in the Health Science Library.
The top priorities at that time for medical libraries, and particularly for small hospital libraries, was to develop an efficient and cost-effective method for interlibrary loans that allowed the small institution to provide the same top service that the academic health centers supplied to their users, and to gain efficient access to Medline. There was a need for local training for online searchers, and for a forum for discussion of events affecting Cincinnati libraries, as well as a place where policies of service could be agreed upon.
Our group was not formed in a vacuum. Other nearby library groups were also looking at effective ways to organize for ILL and Medline delivery and other services via consortial arrangements. On October 20, 1975, Janette Closurdo, Director of libraries at ST. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Pontiac Michigan was invited to Cincinnati to present the work of HIRA (Health Instructional Resources Associated) and the Metropolitan Detroit Medical Library Group (MDMLG).
So what has happened during these 30+ years since that September day? Well, the By Laws have been rewritten, revised and updated multiple times to reflect changes in practice. On the local level, an Interlibrary Loan plan was devised, a Mini-union list of reference titles created, and a Medline consortium, COCLS, was formed by several CAHSLA members in order to provide online searching in an economically efficient manner. "Each hospital in the consortium had a direct line to NLM, and could provide bibliographies to docs within minutes." As the regional library network developed under the umbrella provided by the National Library of Medicine, CAHSLA benefited from many federally-funded programs, including an Extramural Coordinator, who functioned as a liaison between the network and the basic units (that's us, remember) offering coordination of ILL in the region and encouraging formation of peer groups where they were needed. CAHSLA presented many workshops on the new technologies, searching, cooperative collection development, and the all-important ILL
The association made some forays into library science CE courses, hosted at least two regional MLA conferences, and continued an effort to collaborate with the Dayton health sciences librarians until the demise of that organization. On the regional level, CAHSLA participated in the various configurations of regional libraries devised by NLM: KOMRLN, GMRMLN, MC/MLA, and finally, Midwest Chapter, MLA. And of course, many sub organizations formed and unformed under the aegis of the RML: A veritable Alphabet Soup of organizations.
One of the most enduring of these organizations is COCLS, the Cincinnati Online Consortium for Life Sciences—did you know (or remember) that the original name was (briefly) the Cincinnati Life Sciences Consortium? The original group was called Cincinnati Medline Consortium, which recognized that the hospital libraries needed to establish their own Medline accounts, and run their own searches rather than relying on the UC Health Sciences Library to handle Medline searching for all of Cincinnati.
When COCLS came into being in 1979, the objectives of the group were not only to purchase online access to Medline from a service provider, but to train searchers, to explore other useful databases, and to "investigate innovations in and nuances of online systems." For many years COCLS continued to provide its members with online access via BRS, troubleshoot connection problems, share difficult searches and searching tips, plus serve as a sounding board for librarians from the hospitals to talk about their unique situations, and the latest bit of skullduggery issuing from the Health Sciences Library.
Just glancing at the minutes, some items caught my eye: In 1991, at the time of the merger into CAHSLA, Don Smith was the only member of COCLS who was not also a member of CAHSLA. In 1990 it was noted that NKU had received at least one bomb threat. In 1986 Barbarie Hill declared that Open House was over and she would never do it again. In 1985 (we are going back in time) Barb Lucas reported on the Medline update held at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton: "The setting was very comfortable, the food was good, the new library elegant, but the update was boring and the Medis demonstration useless. Her appraisal was corroborated by others who attended." There is a certain piquant quality to the COCLS minutes that we don't always achieve in CAHSLA. And from the moment that COCLS and CAHSLA were born, Dorothy Gilroy wrote letters to organizations, posing questions, making suggestions, and generally staying on top of things much better than any of the rest of us could hope to match.
In addition, members shared lists of proposed journal cancelations and purchases, to build a broad base of resources and to avoid duplication as much as possible. By 1990 COCLS had an Education Committee, but the economic reason for the existence of COCLS had ceased when BRS discontinued its previous discount to user groups. But, to quote from a joint letter written in May 17, 1991, from Val Purvis as Coordinator of COCLS and Beth White, President of CAHSLA, to their memberships: "COCLS members are eager to maintain the educational and sharing aspects of the group.
Therefore, at its meeting on April 9th, 1991, the COCLS membership agreed to dissolve as a separate entity and respectfully request that these aspects of the consortium be absorbed into the CAHSLA program and meeting structure."
The letter goes on to suggest that additional CAHSLA programs could be planned devoted to computer-related topics. And in effect, the "organization that refused to die and instead went to lunch" was born. Under the tutelage of Don Smith, Barbarie Hill, Rose Zajac, Lisa McCormick and many others, COCLS continues today to provide attendees lunch, plus an agenda that focuses on technical aspects of our librarian lives: PDAs, serials control systems, and updates on the latest useful technology for hospital libraries.
Another outstanding product of CAHSLA collaborative efforts has been the Chronicle, which when it debuted in 1977, with the stunningly original name of CAHSLA Newsletter, consisted of one side of one page. It was edited by Rose Zajac and Susanne Gilliam. From these small beginnings came the CAHSLA Chronicle which today provides readers with useful notices, meeting reports, letters from our President, and a good laugh from the cartoons. Our editors, Barbarie Hill and Beth White until 1992, and Lisa McCormick and Barbarie since then, have cheerfully shouldered the burden of turning out a class rag that is a proud representative of our organization.
Another great project that has become a tradition for CAHSLA is our holiday book drive. We have been donating children's books to various Cincinnati organizations that help children since 1996. Penny Philpot had the original idea, which was quickly embraced by the rest of us. Some of the organizations that we have given collections of books to are Peaselee Daycare Center, Kids' Café, Bethany House, GLAD House, and Vine St. Elementary School. A total of over 200 new and gently used books have been donated by our members, and we have many letters of gratitude and appreciation in the archives.
As I waded through stacks of minutes of various groups that CAHSLA has been involved with, several themes emerged: The search for the best resources, the recognition of the need to cooperate in order to make the best of scarce resources, the increasing bureaucracy of library organization, from the national level to the state, and the struggle for small libraries to be heard in this framework of increasingly layered library structure. In spite of small staffs, small budgets, and little time, though, the members of CAHSLA have managed to speak up and out, and to make a difference. I would mention names, but fear to leave someone out who is here tonight, so, I invite you to look to the person at your right or left, and recognize their contributions. In the words of Kay Barkley, chair of the original ad hoc committee that founded CAHSLA, and chairman (the title for President) in 1978, "Perhaps one of the most valuable advantages which CAHSLA has to offer is the opportunity to get acquainted with each other on a one to one basis and thereby exchanging ideas and services." That certainly has not changed in all this time. On September 20, 2008 CAHSLA will be 35 years old, and we should plan an appropriate celebration! Please continue to check our website, created and maintained by Barbarie Hill, located at http://cahsla.org for news about this and many other developments.
CAHSLA Colleagues
Sympathy Our deepest sympathies are extended to Michael Douglas (Tri-Health Good Samaritan Hospital) and his family on the passing of Mike’s mother.
Kudos Brigid Almaquer (Cincinnati State) has shared a link to her book club for faculty and staff of Cincinnati State. As Brigid writes, it can serve as another place to look for a good book http://cincinnatistate.libguides.com/bookclub
Members in Transition Barb Slavinski, formerly of Drake Hospital Library, Val Purvis formerly of CCHMC Pratt Library, and Rosalyn Smith, formerly of the Jewish Hospital Health Sciences Library, are seeking new career opportunities.
News from Around the State
The Ohio Collaborative for Clear Health Communication, an organization made up of representatives from organizations throughout the state of Ohio has evolved into a new organization. The Ohio Health Literacy Collaborative (OHLC) will be having an inaugural meeting on Wednesday October 30, 2013 in Columbus. The OHLC, unlike the Collaborative, will instead be open to individuals, rather than organizational representatives, with an interest in clear health communication/health literacy. If you would like additional information, please contact Karen Komondor at 216-363-3548 or email Karen.komondor@stvincentcharity.com
Information Resource on the Affordable Care Act
The Greater Midwest Regional office of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine has created a web resource with information about the Affordable Care Act.
http://nnlm.gov/gmr/outreach/aca.html
Star Trek Chicken Promotes PLCHC
George Takei took time to pose with a Cincinnati Public Library card after leading the World’s Largest Chicken Dance at Cincinnati’s annual Oktoberfest Zinzinnati.
In the Literature and on the 'Net
A Recent PubMed Citation
Prevalence of upper limb disorders among female librarians.
Pandy R.
Hobson Health Ltd, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 4DB, UK.
Occup Med (Lond). 2013 Sep;63(6):432-4. Epub 2013 Jul 16.
Background
Work as a librarian involves exposure to potential risk factors for developing upper limb disorders. The prevalence of upper limb symptoms has, however, not previously been assessed in this occupational group.
Aims
To estimate the 7-day and annual prevalence of self-reported neck and upper limb symptoms in librarians and to examine associations with specific tasks and ergonomic risk factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional study using components of the standardized Nordic questionnaire. The study population consisted of librarians employed by a large local authority, and data collection was by means of a self-administered questionnaire. Results from studies on keyboard workers and on the general population were used as comparators.
Results
The 7-day prevalence of self-reported neck and upper limb pain in female librarians was 42% (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.7-50.5) and the annual prevalence was 65% (95% CI
56.6-72.8). The prevalence of reported wrist and hand pain increased with increased working involving a wide thumb-index span (P < 0.05) with a significant linear trend in prevalence with increasing exposure (P < 0.01). There was a strong association between reporting hand and/or wrist pain and awareness of work-related upper limb disorder (P < 0.05).
Conclusions
The annual prevalence of self-reported upper limb symptoms among female librarians was high, but there was insufficient evidence to confirm whether the prevalence was higher than in the general population or among keyboard workers. Working with a wide thumb-index span was associated with reporting upper limb symptoms.
PMID: 23859850 [PubMed - in process]
MEDLIB-L posting:
Date: Wed, 25 Sep 2013 21:20:42 +0000
From: "Allison, Melody M" mmalliso@ILLINOIS.EDU
Subject: JAMA Viewpoint Article - The Evolving Role and Value of Libraries and Librarians in Health Care
JAMA Viewpoint article announcement from Futurity ....
Should your doctor consult the librarian?
ROCHESTER: A new article argues that health science librarians should be part of patient-care teams.
"Rather than being seen as the place where books and journals are, we have a new vision for what libraries are and what they can do. We are collaborators and facilitators in patient care," says co-author Julia F. Sollenberger, associate vice president and director of Medical Center Libraries and Technologies at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
In the JAMA<http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1741829> Viewpoint article, Sollenberger and Robert G. Holloway, chair of the department of neurology, demonstrate the growing importance of health science libraries and librarians in patient care.
Sollenberger largely bases her reasoning on a study published earlier this year in the Journal of the Medical Library<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3543128/>. READ MORE...<http://futurity.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=b1df201c31ea39d3c487294a4&id=dce273e048&e=c0205ad2e3>
Viewpoint Article Source:
Julia F. Sollenberger, MLS; Robert G. Holloway Jr, MD. The Evolving Role and Value of Libraries and Librarians in Health Care. JAMA. 2013;310(12):1231-1232. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.277050.
Enjoy!
Melody Allison
Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Librarian,
and Associate Professor of Library Administration
Funk Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences Library<http://www.library.illinois.edu/funkaces/>
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
200 ACES Library, Information and Alumni Center
1101 S. Goodwin Ave., MC-633
Urbana, IL 61801
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