MIDLINE

Welcome to our Winter 2009 issue of MIDLINE. We have some great things in store for you, so fix yourself a nice warm cup of cocoa, turn on some music and relax. In this issue, you'll learn more about what makes Logan Ludwig, Associate Dean, Loyola University Health Sciences Library, tick. You'll also garner some ideas from your colleagues' Midwest MLA 2008 poster presentations. Could you use a Nintendo Wii to bring more students into your library? Would partnering with your local public library increase usage of your state's Go Local site? Do your users truly understand the differences among the terms database, e-books and e-journals? You may be able to answer these questions by reading this issue.

Cheers,
Jason

From Deborah Lauseng, 2009 Midwest Chapter President
Health Sciences Libraries, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

As we enter 2009, we are surrounded by all kinds of change. Some change brings hope. Some change is historic, like the inauguration of our first African-American president, Barack Obama. Some change will be challenging, particularly in light of the current economic environment. In the midst of change, whether positive or demanding, we have opportunities for rethinking our services and considering new initiatives.

Integrating new technologies into how we conduct our Midwest Chapter business may keep us from being hindered by shrinking budgets. Today's economics are impacting all of us. Due to increased travel costs and reduced (if not eliminated) travel funding, the Executive Board has had recent conversations about alternatives to our in-person spring board meeting. At the March 27 board meeting in Chicago we will be discussing these alternatives and possibly sampling online meeting software. Even the MLA Board is experimenting with web conferencing. As Plato wrote, "Necessity is the mother of invention."

Staying connected with one another during periods of challenging change is important. Knowing that beyond our individual institution or organization we have health sciences library colleagues at the state, regional and national levels also experiencing similar changes helps build support. Sharing solutions and innovations can lend to success by many. ConnectMidwest and MIDLINE, as well as state organization blogs and newsletters, are just some means of learning about how libraries are addressing change in their institutions. Take time to share how your library has responded to change, whether adjusting existing services or creating new initiatives.

Change is not always easy, though through change we can realize new prospects if we are willing to explore and share.

Interview by Jason Young, Medical Librarian
Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, IA

Logan Ludwig, Associate Dean, Loyola University Health Sciences Library, hails from Prairie du Rocher, Illinois. He is married, has four children (a son and three daughters) and two granddaughters. Fishing, golf and collecting Aladdin oil lamps are among his favorite hobbies. Ludwig is a recent recipient of the Virginia L. and William K. Beatty MLA Volunteer Service Award and was named the Midwest Chapter's 2008 Distinguished Librarian of the Year.

What's the biggest challenge facing most health sciences libraries today? What would your first step be in facing it?
There are actually two big challenges facing most health sciences libraries — economics and staffing. Economics drives technology acquisition, ability to hire personnel, scholarly communications models, collections and a whole host of other things. Staff skills, knowledge and quantity influence the library's ability to provide existing and new services, adopt and implement technology. The first step in facing these challenges is to learn as much about each as one can by reading, attending professional meetings and being engaged in your institution as much as possible.

How is the role of reference/instruction health sciences librarian going to change in the next 10 years?
As Mark Twain said, "It's difficult to predict things, especially when talking about the future." A few things do look pretty clear: 1) titles will change and roles will blur 2) all of us will need to think more globally and more "businesslike" 3) teamwork and cross training will become more important, but expecting library staff to be competent in all areas of library service may become increasingly impractical 4) opportunities will arise for new alliances, key partners and clients 5) and more effort will be necessary to relate to our stakeholders.

If you were given $1 million to spend on your library, how would you spend it?
Is that before or after grants accounting and the government take their share? Either way, since this is a one-time gift, I'd put it in an endowment fund specifically for the maintenance of the library, its collections and special projects personnel. It's very difficult today to keep our libraries well maintained. Certainly, the current economy will force a loss of much information content; however, I feel strongly that parent institutions have a responsibility to provide the tools needed by their clinicians, researchers and teachers. That includes library knowledge-based resources and librarians who have the skills and knowledge to effectively use those tools and/or show others how to use them.

What is your greatest professional accomplishment?
Loyola University Health Sciences Library. When I came here 23 years ago it was a sleepy little library, hardly known outside of Chicago, with few services (we had only one phone line for the entire staff). Much has changed since then, and I'm proud of what the staff and I have accomplished. I suppose consulting on the building of nearly two dozen health sciences libraries would run a close second.

What is your greatest personal accomplishment?
It is something I call "paying forward." I've been involved in the Knights of Columbus for many years and during that time I established 27 councils throughout Illinois that now serve their parishes and communities in thousands of ways. I've also had the opportunity to help young librarians along the way, and some have gone on to do great things in this profession and others.

Will the physical library exist in 50 years?
Definitely! Libraries won't look like they do today, but then we don't look like the Alexandrian Library, monastic libraries or the great German libraries that appeared after the invention of the printing press. Libraries of the future will be less homogeneous, both in size and service, as we learn to become more responsive to the information needs of our parent institutions. We may be smaller in size, but that doesn't mean we'll be smaller in stature.

What was your first job in the libraries?
My first library job was as a student assistant in a high school library. My first paying job was filing catalog cards in a university library.

What's the funniest thing that's happened to you in a library?
Once a user asked me to store his research files in the library's vault (we didn't have one) because he was afraid that someone would steal his discovery of a cancer cure. He said he had discovered that popcorn shrimp was a cure for cancer. Turns out he had incorrectly interpreted the results of several articles about treatment for "popcorn shrimp"-shaped polyps. By the way, he was a patient AWOL from a nearby mental health facility.

Who are your heroes?
At first, famous people like Lincoln and some not so famous heroes like those of September 11, 2001, come to mind. To be a hero, you must demonstrate some form of excellence. To be a hero, you do not need to stand out by doing something extraordinary. All managers looked up to in any way are still heroes to those who look up to them. Being such a hero will enable you to lead those who admire you; however, being too much of a hero can be counterproductive if it disempowers others. To me, heroes are not defined by the scale of the opportunity but by the quality of their response.

What was the last book you read?
The last book I read was What You Accept Is What You Teach by Michael Henry Cohen. The pursuit of mediocrity is almost always successful. This book is a brief guide to navigating the maze of challenging employee communications and performance problems.

What's your favorite book?
That depends on the subject matter. I like Kennedy's The Rise and Fall of the Super Powers, Axtell's Gestures: the Do's and Taboos of Body Language Around the World, all of Gary Larson's The Far Side stuff, Tom Clancy's Red Storm Rising and the Collected Poems of W.H. Auden.

How many presidencies have you held?
If we count local, state, regional, national and international boards, groups and associations, probably 9 or 10, perhaps more. Lately, I have been trying to say "no" more often.

Submitted by Barbarie Hill, Publicity Chair
Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH

We invite you to "Seek, Explore, Discover" at the Midwest Chapter's annual meeting in Columbus, OH, October 3-6 at the Hyatt on Capitol Square. Plans are well under way to provide you with a memorable event, including enlightening CE classes, thought-provoking speakers and lots of social time to network and meet new colleagues. The conference website has details and will be updated as plans are finalized.

Some early program details include the following:

• Featured speaker Clifford Stoll, astronomer, computer expert, and author of Silicon Snake Oil, High Tech Heretic, and The Cuckoo's Egg (check out a video on YouTube, 18 Minutes with an Agile Mind)


• Featured speaker Lorcan Dempsey, OCLC Vice President and Chief Strategist, a librarian who has worked for library and educational organizations in Ireland, England and the United States and has consulted for the EU and national policy and service organizations in several countries


• Panel discussion, "What Administrators Want"
  

CE class topics will probably include:

• Can You Hear Me Now: How to Make a Podcast


• Super Searcher


• Measuring Your Impact: Using Evaluation for Library Advocacy


• Communicating with Physicians: For Librarians


• Distance Education: Supporting Anywhere Anytime Learning


• Understanding Health Care Literature: A Primer for Working with Evidence-based Health Care Principles


• Understanding Health Care Literature: Advanced Critical Appraisal


• Cheap, Fast and Decent Strategic Planning for Medical Libraries


• Emerging Technologies for Librarians

We'll also have opportunities to enjoy some social time with friends and colleagues while sampling some of Columbus' cultural and historical venues. On Saturday night you'll be invited to have appetizers at the opening of the exhibits in the hotel and then to hop a taxi to visit the Short North Art District's restaurants and famous Gallery Hop on your own. On Sunday evening, the historic Statehouse right across the street from the hotel will host the Midwest Chapter for tours and a gala dinner event.

As always, the regional meeting is a real bargain, too. You'll get nationally known speakers and CE instructors at reasonable prices. Consider submitting an abstract for a paper or a poster session or plan to attend just to soak up new ideas and foster professional relationships. We hope to see you in Columbus.

Submitted by Deborah Lauseng
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI

The Midwest Chapter Board meeting will be held at the Courtyard Chicago O'Hare hotel on Friday, March 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Parking costs are complimentary with the meeting room. The Blue Line from downtown Chicago takes about 40 minutes.

For room reservations at $89 per night for either a single (king) or double, please use the appropriate link below (Note Group code of MCMMCMB). If you prefer you may also call 800-321-2211 and referencing "MLA Board Spring Meeting." The block of reserved rooms will be held until Thursday, March 5.

Double room:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/CHICA?groupCode=MCMMCMB&app=resvlink&fromDate=3/26/09&toDate=3/29/09

Single room:
http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/CHICA?groupCode=MCMMCMA&app=resvlink&fromDate=3/26/09&toDate=3/29/09

Submitted by Katherine Chew
Health Sciences Libraries, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN

In 2006, faced with losing more than $250,000 in funding, the Print Reduction Project was born at the University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries (Bio-Medical Library and the Veterinary Medical Library). The genesis behind the idea was to reduce journal costs through canceling print and consequently reducing bindery costs while keeping any negative impact on students, staff and faculty to a minimum. During the course of the project, added benefits emerged. Physical space was freed up and was converted to expanded study space. Also, as online journal usage was analyzed, titles were identified that needed electronic accessibility upgraded, or in a few cases, canceled.

The metrics used to make the project a success included data from over four plus years of an in-house print-usage project. The libraries use SFX as their link-resolver and the collections development department creates and maintains a variety of usage statistics. For the Print Reduction Project, yearly usage (requests/clickthroughs) and "no full text" hit rates for titles were utilized. Both of the library's major journal venders, Ebsco and Harrasowitz, provided online availability reports, which laid out the various subscription options, such as print only, print plus online, online only or a site license.

Besides the metrics, other factors were considered. Did the particular title or publisher provide perpetual access? Were there restrictions on providing interlibrary loan from electronic copies? Did that title belong to a list of titles that the library was contractually obligated by consortial agreement to retain in print? Were the titles part of medical journal core lists, such as the National Library of Medicine's Abridged Index Medicus (AIM) list? The Health Sciences Libraries also has a fee-based service, the Biomedical Information Service, which derives the majority of its income from document delivery. Many electronic licenses forbid commercial use, so titles also had to be examined as to their relationship to the amount of usage they were getting from the fee-based service.

To date, there has been little or no negative impact on the students, staff or faculty of the Academic Health Center. Nearly 700 print subscriptions were eliminated. Collectively, the acquisitions and bindery budgets realized the $250,000 reduction, electronic access was improved for close to 100 titles, and 45 duplicate titles between the Bio-Medical Library and Veterinary Medical Library were identified and eliminated.

The project will go through one more iteration this summer before officially closing, as looming collections budget cuts due to the weak economy will necessitate the re-examination of retained print titles for fee-based and core list purposes.

Submitted by Chris Childs
Hardin Library, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

Patient safety is a serious issue in the medical profession. Though most of the responsibility for it falls on providers, patients can help ensure safe care. This is where the Partnering for Patient Empowerment through Community Awareness (PPECA) project comes in. Whether it is asking the physician questions during examination, looking up health information online at home or the local public library, or just knowing you may bring someone to support you during doctor visits, it is important that everyone is proactive about their own health care.

The idea behind PPECA is that through patient empowerment, the patient will feel more comfortable asking their physician questions and doing research on their own and will better understand their diagnosis. They'll also be more inclined to follow the regimen prescribed to them.

Hardin Library for the Health Sciences has collaborated with the University of Iowa College of Public Health Institute for Quality Healthcare, the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), Consumers Advancing Patient Safety (CAPS) and Zipperer Project Management to create a three-hour train-the-trainer presentation. It includes three modules, a facilitator's guide and patient safety handouts. The goal is to help others start their own PPECA program.

The first module is a video of a woman telling how she lost her brother to medical error. The second module is given by a representative of UIHC, who discusses how medical errors occur. They mention how active patient participation can help reduce medical errors and make the system operate more smoothly. I present module three and discuss how information can empower patients to be safer and more aware and encourage them to work with their local librarian to find information. I also give a brief demonstration of MedlinePlus and Iowa Go Local and mention that public libraries provide computer access for those who don't have it at home.

To help ensure that the audience is made aware of resources in the immediate area, we have a public librarian join us and introduce themselves at the beginning of each presentation. The librarian creates a list of resources on patient safety (print and electronic) that are available to them at the library.

In 2008, my colleagues and I went to five hospitals and spoke to audiences ranging from hospital staff to community leaders. Over several months, we spoke to 68 people. While most of the audiences were local, there was a group of nurses from Minnesota who drove down to listen to our presentation at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. The response has been very positive, and we are hoping to continue giving these presentations this year.

Submitted by Linda A. Draper
Shiffman Medical Library, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI

Since 2004, Shiffman Medical Library staff members, under the guidance of former director and principal investigator for this project Ellen Marks, have been actively developing an online directory of health services for the state of Michigan — Michigan Go Local. We've come to realize the importance of local collaborators, specifically public libraries.

Public libraries are frequently one of the initial sources of reliable health information for consumers. In 2008, Michigan Go Local staff, namely our primary selectors/reviewers, Jill Turner and Suzanne Van Pelt, added more than 600 public libraries and branches to the database indexed with these terms: healthy living, exercise and physical fitness, nutrition and health for children, infants and toddlers, men, seniors, teens and women.

Some of these public libraries use their websites to promote sources of unbiased information as a public service that their patrons can rely on for timely content. As of our October 2008 poster, we identified 15 Michigan libraries that prominently link to both MedlinePlus.gov and Michigan Go Local.

Public Library Model
One public library has elevated its services with an excellent model for other libraries — Royal Oak Public Library through the leadership of its director, Metta Lansdale. The library launched the Royal Oak Health Information Portal in 2007. Funding from a Greater Midwest Region subcontract provided the means to hold several lectures by local health professionals and offer library computer workshops on searching for reliable health information. Its web interface is a "first stop for reliable health information" with MedlinePlus, PubMed and Michigan Go Local as key resources. Librarians from Beaumont Hospital and Wayne State University were partners in making this a successful endeavor. Royal Oak's library patrons have responded very positively to this collection of health-related resources.

Selected Data
Some the statistical information that we featured on the poster were: number of records in the Michigan Go Local database (11,045 in October 2008, and 11,939 as of January 2009); more than 15,000 annual visitors to the website; top counties searched were Wayne, Kalamazoo and Oakland; and top health topics were smoking, allergy and hepatitis. We thank Deborah Charbonneau for her assistance with analyzing the web statistics generated.

More Library Outreach
During the coming year, one primary goal is to expand the promotion of Michigan Go Local. A related objective is to specifically increase the number of public libraries that prominently promote MedlinePlus and Michigan Go Local. We plan to connect with more public libraries to share information about these resources. We will collaborate with them to help shape Michigan Go Local to better serve their unique library constituents.

Submitted by Daria Drobny
Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, Detroit, MI

Access to emerging technologies is critical to a level playing field in the modern world. The purpose of this poster is to share information about how libraries can make the world of information technology more accessible. An elevator or ramp provides access to spaces when a staircase presents an obstacle for someone who uses a wheelchair. Without assistive technology, computers in libraries pose a similar challenge. Libraries play an increasingly important role in ensuring access to computer and Internet technology for all people. Assistive technology and universal design, which involves designing your services and facility for people with varying abilities, can help achieve accessibility. For people without disabilities, technology makes things convenient; for people with disabilities, it makes things possible.

What is so special about assistive technology?

• There is technology that magnifies. Magnifying text and images provides access to computers and information to persons with low vision. Modifications include: selecting the largest font, affixing a magnifier that fits over computer screen and installing software such as ZoomText or VisAbility.


• There is technology that reads. Screen readers convert text on the monitor to speech. Screen-reading software such as Jaws or Window Eyes can be expensive and difficult to use. Dedicate one library staff member and/or partner with therapist to become expert users.


• There is technology that provides an alternative keyboard. People with low vision or mobility challenges (spasticity) will need a different keyboard. These are bigger than normal and have large keys with large letters. Keyboards designed for people with movement disorders, such as IntelliKeys, plug into most computers. Special setup overlays allow you to customize the response or repeat rate for individuals who tend to press unwanted keys or keep their finger on a key too long.


• There is technology that allows you to use your voice to create documents, surf the Web and use other applications. Voice-recognition software can assist individuals with visual or mobility challenges. Programs such as Dragon Naturally Speaking allow users to dictate commands to the computer to open programs, operate the PC, create documents and more.


• There is technology to assist those with limited or no hand function or mouse challenges. A visually impaired person can't see where the cursor is on the screen but can become familiar with keystroke commands. For those with mobility problems, there are large mice, large track balls, a head mouse, joystick and other options.

People with disabilities tend to be without access to computers. This is where the library can assist in bridging the gap of the digital divide. Inability to own or operate a computer can limit career advancement, impede job searching, pose difficulty in college and make it impossible to find consumer health information. In each case, libraries can help overcome these challenges by providing universal access to the facility and employing accessible technologies.

Submitted by Jean Gudenas
Health Sciences Library, Loyola University, Chicago, IL

The outcome of my survey was to better understand the digital content needs of the Loyola University medical community. By identifying patron satisfaction with electronic books and recognizing the differences between electronic resources, I hypothesized that the library could help patrons do their work more efficiently and effectively.

Note that I specifically state "the outcome of my survey." Initially, this project began with an observation: I saw that many of our medical patrons were not concerned with (or were oblivious to) semantic differences in similar medical terminology. For example, although the meaning of information versus the meaning of knowledge is a continually discussed topic in academia, I have not met many medical students who would want to participate in that conversation.

If I define information as "meaning conveyed to an intended receiver (assuming that the purpose of a word is to convey meaning)," what meaning any word conveys depends upon the semantics that are associated with it and the environment that the word is used in. Basically, words assume different roles, which convey different meanings depending on the context and environment. This implies that words inherit meaning from their environment and if the environment of use changes, then the word meaning may also change.

Obviously, an electronic environment is much different than a physical environment. However, medical terminology doesn't necessarily distinguish between environments and I was curious if our patrons had any difficulties searching in an electronic environment

I informally met with some medical students and doctors and asked general questions about Loyola's electronic resources. I unexpectedly found that many of the students did not know there was a difference between electronic books and electronic journals. Subsequently, many only searched in databases that primarily consisted of e-journals.

After examining literature published about e-book concepts, surveys and collection development, I created a survey for the Loyola medical community. My hope was that the statistics could be analyzed and applied as a model for future e-book development. The conference poster replicated the responses from that survey and reinforced my observation that many of the surveyed patrons either did not know the difference between e-books and e-journals or that there were e-books available.

Currently, I am proposing a plan to promote Loyola's e-book resources more prominently on the health sciences website. I believe that promoting the electronic books will visually remind our patrons of the collection and that e-books can be separate from e-journals. Afterwards, I would like to re-survey Loyola patrons and compare the results in a future poster session to see if promoting made a difference.

Submitted by Karen Hanus
Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries, Milwaukee WI

The Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries consists of three libraries. Todd Wehr Library is the main branch in the Medical College of Wisconsin, and there are hospital libraries in Froedtert Hospital and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin.

Hospital library users include physicians, residents, nurses and other administrative and clinical personnel. In early 2008, our libraries had access to more than 2,700 electronic journals, 800 electronic books and 70 databases. Access to most of our electronic resources on campus is controlled by Internet Protocol (IP) authentication. The library manages most of our e-journal subscriptions without the help of a subscription agent.

On February 5, 2008, MCW Libraries' Systems Department suddenly received numerous reports that our users in Children's Hospital were not able to access our electronic resources. Within hours we were able to confirm that the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin Information Services (IS) department had changed the IP ranges for the hospital. Although the hospital's IS department had been planning this change for several months, the library had not been notified.

The library then started on the project to restore access to our resources for Children's Hospital users. The library was able to restore access to 95 percent of resources within five weeks, and, for the most part, Children's Hospital users were able to return to normal use of library resources. In January 2009, we are still fixing some journals' IP ranges.

There were several pitfalls in the process to restore access:

• When we investigated and found out that the IP numbers had changed, we were given an IP range that was misinterpreted by library systems staff as one range (it was actually four). The library's serials staff had already begun changing IP numbers in some resources and had to contact some vendors in order to switch the IP numbers again.


• The hospital library's computers are on the MCW computer network, but many users in the hospital are on the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin (CHW) network. The IP change did not affect any computer on the MCW network but rather those on the CHW network. We needed to work with the hospital's IS department to get a computer on the hospital network installed in the library.


• When we were contacting vendors to get the IP numbers changed, we started with the most important resources. At one point, a database user wanted access to a particular resource which we had not yet reached. She contacted the hospital IS department. Neither she nor the IS department informed the library, and IS contacted the vendor instead. When the library reached this resource on the list, we were told that the IP numbers we were trying to register were already registered with a different institution (CHW) and that we could not register them. The vendor was unaware that the hospital was part of our library system and told us that we would have to get permission to put that institution back under our account. It took several days to get this straightened out.

Submitted by Jonathan Koffel
Hardin Library, University of Iowa

The Hardin Library, like many libraries, does not have as many people walking through our doors and using our physical space as we once did. In an effort to increase use of our physical space, Hardin Library staff have been looking at new and different ways of drawing users into the library. I had heard of some academic libraries holding video game tournaments or having video games available for checkout and decided to try this in our library.

I received funding to purchase a Nintendo Wii and several games in summer of 2008. The Wii was chosen because of its popularity, the accessibility of its games for new users and its relatively low cost. The games purchased were "Wii Sports" (included with the Wii), "Super Smash Brothers Brawl" and "WarioWare Smooth Moves." These games were selected as ones which were popular and easily learned.

We began holding Wii gaming sessions in the summer and continued through fall term. We typically offered a two-hour session every week or every other week, though during the orientation and finals periods we offered several sessions a week. Most sessions were held during the afternoon. The sessions were advertised on our website, via posters placed in the health colleges and through the university hospital's daily newsletter. Attendance ranged from 4 to10 users and did not appear to depend on day or time. The response from participants was very positive, and some participants came to multiple sessions.

While the Wii gaming sessions have not been a overwhelming success (i.e., we were not swamped with 50 people at each session), I think that they have succeeded in drawing people into the library, giving them a fun study break and letting them interact with library staff in a different environment. As a result, we have continued to hold regular gaming sessions and are looking into ways to increase usage of the Wii and attendance at our events.

For an electronic copy of my poster, click here.

Submitted by Merle Rosenzweig, Anna Ercoli Schnitzer, Mark MacEachern, and Chrysta Meadowbrooke
University of Michigan Health Sciences Libraries, Ann Arbor, MI

Many health sciences librarians and the researchers they work with have questions about the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Public Access Policy, which went into effect April 2008. We felt that this issue is a hot topic in research and that it's important for all librarians who work with NIH-funded researchers to know how to help them comply with the policy's requirements.

Our poster, "Providing Vital Support to Facilitate the New NIH Public Access Mandate," explained the policy and described the support services provided by the University of Michigan Health Sciences Libraries. Many people visiting the table engaged us in lively conversation about the issue of public access.

Under the Public Access Policy, the final peer-reviewed manuscripts of all journal articles resulting from NIH-funded research must be submitted to PubMed Central within 12 months of publication. This policy ensures that the public can freely obtain the results of such research and is also intended to help advance science and improve human health. (For details on the NIH policy, see http://publicaccess.nih.gov/.)

A pilot program developed through the University of Michigan MLibrary helps researchers comply with the policy by:

1. Providing support via suggested addendums to publication contracts so that authors retain at least the right to have a copy of the peer-reviewed manuscript deposited in PubMed Central


2. Helping authors determine whether a journal will submit the manuscript to PubMed Central directly; if not, librarians can submit on the authors' behalf after receiving some basic information, the manuscript, and any supplemental data or images


3. Showing how to obtain and cite the PubMed Central identification number (PMCID), which researchers must now use when referring to an NIH-funded paper in all NIH applications, proposals, and progress reports

Editor's note: These were submitted to me, and not all states are represented. We hope to have more complete listings in future issues.

On Thursday, we will continue with "What's Complementary About Alternative Medicine?" with the presentations on topics including: nutrition for disease prevention, resources for pet complementary/alternative medicine, naturopathic medicine and acupuncture. There will be free massages, complementary/alternative medicine vendors, resources and demonstrations. The full fees for a non-member (includes CE, Thursday sessions and lunch on Thursday) is $125.00. To register online, please click here.

The HSIS's fall meeting was held September 26, 2008, at the NDLA Annual Meeting in Mandan. Karen Anderson and Mary Markland gave a presentation titled "Consumer Health on the Net and Go Local." The official Go Local North Dakota press conference launch followed. Ruth Holst from the GMR and Lori Klein from the National Library of Medicine attended. Samanthi Hewakapuge from the GMR helped staff our Go Local booth at the NDLA meeting.

OHSLA's fall meeting was held at the Medina County District Library in downtown Medina. Twenty-five attendees from across the state participated in Diane Kovacs' class "Electronic Collection Development for Health and Medicine E-Libraries." Topics included reviewing existing collection development policies and selection criteria for web resources. At noon the group broke for lunch, which was followed by the business meeting. The committees read their reports, and Holly Burt gave a GMR update. Of particular interest was President Marlene Porter's update from the Midwest Chapter 2009 Annual Meeting Planning Committee. We're very excited to have this year's meeting in Columbus.

The conference is at the Radisson Hotel, which provides great river views and Sleep Number beds by Select Comfort. All rooms are undergoing renovation, and the entire hotel is nonsmoking. Registration for the full conference is $100 for members, which includes three meals and the evening entertainment. Half-day classes are $40, and a full-day class is $75. For more information, visit the WHSLA website or contact Mary Jo Boland or Eileen Severson.

Submitted by Sandy De Groote
UIC Library of the Health Sciences-Peoria, Peoria, IL

This three-day class will be offered in Chicago, IL, on March 25, 26, and 27, 2009
COST: $375 [includes 21 MLA CEs, lunch (all three days), workbook and materials, coffee, snacks]
CE HOURS: This course has been approved for 21 MLA CE hours.
FACULTY: Sandra De Groote, MLIS; Cleo Papas, MLIS; Jordan Hupert, MD; Alan Schwartz, PhD

For more information and to register visit this site.

Day 1 places an emphasis on the first two steps of the EBM process: formulating a searchable clinical question and efficiently searching the literature. Tools available to facilitate the EBM process will be introduced, including PubMed Clinical Queries, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and practice guidelines. The course will provide an overview of levels of evidence, research design and bias in publication. Librarians will have the opportunity to work as teams, each sharing his or her unique perspective and knowledge.

Days 2 and 3 provide an in-depth exploration of the third step of the EBM process - critically appraising the medical literature for validity. Days 2 and 3 focus on the evidence-based medicine process of critically appraising therapy and diagnosis articles for validity and by analysis of results. In the context of analyzing journal articles and answering case-based clinical questions, an in-depth understanding of the statistical concepts used in the medical literature will be covered. A focus will be placed on the epidemiological concepts fundamental to understanding the clinical literature such as number needed to treat, absolute risk reduction, likelihood ratio, confidence interval and intention to treat.

Submitted by Jeanette Harlow
American Hospital Association Resource Center, Chicago, IL

The American Hospital Association (AHA) Center for Hospital and Healthcare Administration History has added the papers of Walter J. McNerney to its archival collections. President of the Blue Cross Association (later the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association) for 20 years, Mr. McNerney was a central player in congressional hearings and bargaining sessions before and after the enactment of legislation that created the Medicare and Medicaid programs in 1965.

His papers span the years 1950 to 1997 and include 212 boxes of correspondence, articles, speeches, photographs, reports, publications and other documents. The collection was donated to the Center in December 2006 by the family of Walter J. McNerney. It was arranged and described by Laura Lorenzana and Bruce Kenamore, M.D., of Kenamore and Klinkow, archivists. An inventory to aid researchers using the collection is available here. The McNerney papers are available for on-site use at the AHA Resource Center. An advance appointment is required for access to the collection.

The Center for Hospital and Healthcare Administration History, sponsored jointly by the AHA and the American College of Healthcare Executives, is coordinated by the AHA Resource Center in conjunction with the Health Research & Educational Trust. For more

Submitted by Max Anderson, GMR Technology Coordinator
University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL

Thinking about how to promote your services and reach out to more people? Want to learn how podcasts can help and how to make your own? There are spaces available in a free online version of the "Can You Hear Me Now: How to Make a Podcast" class. Space is limited to 20 participants.

Date: Wednesday, March 4, 2009 (10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. CST for the live online portion)
Description: This hands-on class is designed to provide a fun and informative introduction to podcasting and how you can use this technology in your library services to enable your users to access the information whenever they want, wherever they want and however they want it. Basic steps and suggestions on how to make a podcast will be covered and students will be able to enjoy hands-on practice on popular audio recording and editing software and make their first personal podcast. This course has been approved for three hours of MLA CE credits. The first two hours of this class will be via a Live Online session using Adobe Connect, and the last hour of the class will be a self-paced portion via Moodle.
Registration: To register for this class or if you have any questions, contact Max Anderson at (800) 338-7657 or email max@uic.edu.

Thinking of hosting an NN/LM GMR technology class at your institution? Here are a few opportunities for you:

Whether you are interested in keeping up with emerging technology trends or just want a review of technologies currently being used by libraries, "Geeks Bearing Gifts: Unwrapping New Technology Trends" is the class for you. This class can be 4 hours or 8 hours long and is limited to 20 participants. Requirements for the host institution: computers with Internet access for each participant; projector and instructor station for instructor. More information on the class can be found: http://nnlm.gov/training/geekgifts/. This class has been approved for four or eight hours of MLA CE Credit.

"Can You Hear Me Now: How to Make a Podcast" is another class that is great in a hands-on environment. This 3-hour class is limited to 20 participants. The GMR owns headsets so the hosting institution does not need to obtain them to host the class. Requirements for the host institution: computers with Internet access for each participant (ideal) and the ability to install small software packages prior to class (Audacity, which is free, and the LAME encoder for Audacity which is also free). Projector and instructor station for instructor. This class has been approved for 3 hours of MLA CE credit. More information on the class can be found: http://nnlm.gov/training/podcast/.

"Screencasting: Creating Online Tutorials" is the newest class offering by the GMR. Screencasts are digital outputs of your computer screen and can include audio narration. They are effective tools to record short, informative instructional materials. Students taking this course will learn ways to create screencasts to fit specific needs and actually create a short screencast. This class can be four or six hours and has been approved for four or six hours of MLA CE credit. Requirements for the host institution: computers with Internet access for each participant (ideal); the ability to install software packages prior to class (Trial-version of Adobe Captivate and Jing, both of which are free.); projector and instructor station for instructor. More information on the class can be found here.

By Eileen Stanley, 2009 National Program Committee (NPC) member
Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, MN

Expectations are mixed because of the economy and distance, but we hope you'll attend if you're able. Please check out the MLA Wiki and the Preliminary Program for details.

Here are some of the unique events and activities you will only be able to experience in Hawaii at MLA '09:

• Two of the speakers were selected because they are Hawaiians, giving us a unique opportunity to hear them in their native locale.


• A last-minute session is being planned to highlight new technologies or good ideas in short spontaneous vignettes.


• The Friends of the NLM and the Hospital Library Section will be networking and socializing at a joint reception for the first time.


• As part of the eco-friendly green features of this meeting, each attendee will receive a pedometer to help document savings on fuel use and reduced emissions.


• Our international colleagues will present a special poster session.


• An on-site resume writing clinic is planned for job hunters.

Submitted by Karen Hanus
Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries, Milwaukee, WI

When registering for MLA '09, be sure to sign up for Chapter Council Presents Sharing Roundtables on Sunday, May 17, 2009, from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. If you wish to attend, you must register for a roundtable topic when you submit your annual meeting registration.

Tickets are $38 and include a lunch of salad with pineapple cream dressing, grilled chicken with papaya barbecue sauce, market vegetable sauté, roasted baby potatoes, ginger cake with exotic fruit and island punch. Please indicate dietary restrictions on your registration form.

Facilitators will be at each table to initiate discussion and encourage participation. Recorders will be available to document the discussion for posting on the Chapter Council website. Facilitators and recorders earn one point toward membership in the Academy of Health Information Professionals for completing these activities. If you would like to share your skills and expertise as a facilitator or a recorder, please email Angela Dixon.

Topics for the 2009 roundtables are:
1. Archives Management in Health Sciences Libraries
2. Building Partnerships
3. Changes in Technical Service in a Digital Environment
4. Clinical Decision-making Tools (UptoDate, MD Consult)
5. Collection Development
6. Copyright Issues
7. Evidence-based Nursing
8. Expert Searching
9. Future of Medical Libraries/Librarians
10. How to Obtain Funds for Library Projects
11. How to Stay Current with New Technologies
12. Influencing Decision Makers
13. Integrating You or the Library into the Curriculum
14. Issues in Chapter Leadership
15. Issues in Hospital Librarianship
16. Liaisons Stepping Out of the Library
17. Librarian as a Consultant
18. Library Renovation/Space Planning
19. Management of E-resources
20. Marketing Library Services
21. Measuring Success with Web 2.0 Tools
22. New and Emerging Roles for Medical Librarians
23. Open Source Applications for Libraries
24. Oral History
25. Outreach
26. Personalized Medicine/Personal Health Records
27. Research for Librarians
28. Searching the Gray Literature
29. Supporting Magnet Status Initiatives
30. Using New Technologies and Instructional Design for Teaching

The list of topics are also located on page 10 of the MLA Meeting Preliminary Program. Additional information on each topic is available here. The Chapter Sharing Roundtables event is co-chaired by Karen Hanus, the Midwest Chapter's Alternate Representative to the MLA Chapter Council.

The Midwest Chapter/MLA's 2009 "Free Lunch Award" is open for applications. Two awards will be offered to Midwest Chapter/MLA members. The deadline for entries is Tuesday, March 31. Award recipients will be notified by Friday, April 3, 2009.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be Midwest Chapter/MLA Members. Not a member? Go here to join.


• Applicants must be attending the MLA Annual Meeting in Honolulu AND be pre-registered for the Chapter Council Roundtables (there are no on-site registrations allowed).


• Tickets are $38 and must be pre-paid by the applicant.


• The two winners will be reimbursed $38 each after the meeting.


• Applications Must Include:


• Name, work or home address and email address or phone number


• The specific Roundtable that was selected


• A paragraph or two describing "Why I Deserve a Free Lunch" (Creativity and conciseness are encouraged! Entries are judged on humor, pathos and/or neediness)

Submitted by Clare Leibfarth
Kent State University, Kent, OH

Congratulations to Greater Midwest Region NN/LM Associate Director Ruth Holst who has been elected to be the next MLA President-Elect. She will take office during MLA '09. Chapter members Sandra Martin and Eileen Stanley were elected to serve on the MLA Nominating Committee.

Mayo Clinic Director of Libraries J. Michael Homan will deliver the Janet Doe Lecture on Monday, May 18, at MLA '09.

Stephanie Schulte has joined the Prior Health Sciences Library of The Ohio State University staff as the education and reference services coordinator. Stephanie was formerly a reference and information services librarian at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Judy Rieke has retired from the Harley E. French Library of the Health Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks. Read about her career and retirement party in The Cornflower.

Submitted by Mary K. Taylor
Morris Library, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL

Amy Easton Bingenheimer began as the technology coordinator librarian at the Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries in Milwaukee, WI, on November 17, 2008. Amy was previously manager of knowledge management at the law firm of Quarles & Brady LLP. She earned her M.A. in library and information studies at UW-Madison. Amy's duties will include: identifying, designing, integrating and deploying emerging information technologies to support information access and services to library users; testing, maintaining and supporting innovative web-based applications; and participating in and providing leadership in digital projects, multimedia services and standards including podcasting, screencasting and related online instructional technologies.

Monica Corcoran is the medical librarian at the Grace O. Hahn Health Science Library of Deaconess Hospital in Evansville, IN. Her responsibilities include bibliographic instruction, document delivery, reference, database administration and acquisitions.

Monica received her undergraduate degree from St. Mary's of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN. She received her library science degree in 2001 from the University of North Texas in Denton, TX.

Annette Healy is an information services librarian and reference for the Science & Engineering Library at Wayne State University. In addition to performing collection management, she is the liaison to and performs collection development for the departments of chemistry, physics and nutrition. Annette's professional interests include consumer health information and health literacy. She has an undergraduate degree in biology from SUNY-Binghamton and a PhD in biology from SUNY-Albany. Annette is a 2004 graduate of Wayne State's Library and Information Science program.

Elaine Hicks is a student in the LEEP program of the Graduate School of Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She will graduate in 2009. Elaine has an undergraduate degree in home economics education from Southern Illinois University Carbondale and a master's degree in public health from Tulane University School of Public Health in New Orleans, LA. Her professional interests include public health and consumer health. She has worked at the Illinois Public Health Preparedness Center in the School of Public Health at the University of Illinois at Chicago facilitating competency-based emergency preparedness training for local health department workers. She has also worked with the Cook County Department of Public Health.

She adds: "I began my career as a home economics teacher and have worked for more than 25 years as a nutrition educator and public health educator in a variety of nutrition, public health and academic organizations. If you have ever called the Butterball Turkey TalkLine during the holiday season, you may have spoken to me. As an outreach health sciences librarian, I want to use both library and health education skills to strategically identify and engage both individuals and communities to find, retrieve, analyze and use health information to add value and meaning to life and occupation.

Gerald Natal is the digital services librarian for the Mulford Library on the Health Science Campus of the University of Toledo. He maintains web pages and library databases and performs reference and instruction. Gerald is a 2005 graduate of the Kent State University's School of Library and Information Science. He has a bachelor's degree in fine arts from Bowling Green State University.

Linda Ronan is the assistant director for public services at the library of Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, IL. She oversees the operation of the reference and circulation areas, including outreach, public relations and education.

Her professional interests include: the use of "faceted navigation" in libraries, library science education and medical ethics. Linda received her library degree from Simmons College and also has a master's degree in divinity and practical theology. Her undergraduate degree is in English and education.

Emily Schearer began as the outreach and special projects librarian at the Medical College of Wisconsin Libraries in Milwaukee, WI, on January 2. Emily was previously a librarian in research and instructional services at UW-Milwaukee. She earned her library degree at UW-Madison. Emily's duties will include: planning, implementing and administering health information outreach activities; identifying, recommending, writing and assisting with administering library funding proposals; planning, implementing and managing special projects; and providing reference services.

*All members of the Executive Board are elected by the membership.

Parliamentarian, Vacant
Mary Hitchcock, Archivist, 2009-2010
Sue London, Auditor, 2008-2009
Julie Schneider, Governmental Relations Liaison, 2008-2009

Charniel McDaniels, Potential Candidate to the MLA Nominating Committee, 2009

*Local meeting planning chairs serve on committee until their final report is submitted.

Sheryl Stevens, Chair, 2008-2009
Gurpreet Rana, 2009-2010
Doreen Roberts, 2008-2009
Bette Sydelko, 2009-2010
Elaine Skopelja, President-Elect, 2009
*President-Elect serves on committee per bylaws, allowing for tiebreakers

Karen Anderson, Chair
Allan Barclay, Webmaster
Brian Finnegan, Assistant Webmaster
Clare Leibfarth, ConnectMidwest Editor
Mary Taylor, Jason Young, MIDLINE Editor

Marlene Porter, Chair, 2008-2009
Rick Brewer, 2009-2010
Wendy Hess, 2008-2009
Elizabeth Kiscaden, 2009-2010
*Treasurer serves as chair.

Mary Markland, Chair, 2009
Vacant
Vacant
Vacant
*Members appointed by Immediate Past President, who chairs the committee.

Janna Lawrence, Chair, 2008-2009
Nancy Allee, AHIP Liaison, 2009-2010
Beth Carlin, Benchmarking Liaison, 2008-2009
Carolyn Martin, 2009-2010
Deb Werner, MLA CE Liaison, 2008-2009

MIDLINE is published in electronic format four times a year by the Midwest Chapter/Medical Library Association. The newsletter archives are available at http://midwestmla.org/midline-archive/. Statements and positions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent the official positions of the chapter, the chapter executive board or the editor. Contributions from all chapter members are welcomed and encouraged.

Copy deadlines for future issues are as follows:

Spring 2009: April 15, 2009
Summer 2009: July 15, 2009
Fall 2009: October 15, 2009

Contributions may be edited for brevity, clarity, or conformance to style. The Medical Library Association Style Manual, available at http://mlanet.org/publications/style, provides guidelines for MIDLINE contributors. All copy should be submitted in electronic format to the editor, Jason Young. Photos should be submitted as .jpeg files.

Mailing address changes should be reported to: Rebecca Caton, Membership Secretary, Midwest Chapter/MLA, Midwestern University Library, Downers Grove, IL (e-mail: rcaton@midwestern.edu).

The Midwest Chapter/Medical Library Association website is located at http://midwestmla.org.

Jason Young, Editor