Poster Session I: Board #51  | Date: Sunday, May 15, 2011 

Authors: Barbara A. Wright, AHIP, Reference Services Librarian; Shannon D. Jones, AHIP, Associate Director, Research and Education; Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences; Veronica P. Shuford, Educational Specialist, School of Pharmacy; Virginia Commonwealth University–Richmond; Karen S. Purcell, Executive Director; Capital Area Health Education Center, Richmond, VA

Objective: Provide prerequisite training to enable community-based pharmacy faculty preceptors to navigate and use institutional and library web-based systems, resources, and services.

Methods: Experiential Education, a major component of pharmacy education, encompasses approximately one-third of our School of Pharmacy’s curricula for approximately 500 students.  This requires a vast number of community-based preceptors across the state – and the country.   In compliance with the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education standards, our pharmacy preceptors are provided full access – onsite and remote – to library and educational resources.   A more challenging standard is the requirement to teach preceptors to use library resources and services.

Being able to navigate the maze of web pages, systems, logins, etc. is a major stumbling block in accessing resources.  The distribution of preceptors prohibited onsite training and instructions needed to use established web-based training modules and tutorials.

Recognizing that access to the Internet and computer technology varied greatly among preceptors and their locations, it was determined that commonly available technology needed to be used.  The project utilizes low-cost, easy-to-use, interactive CD-ROMs that include basic instructions, tutorials, and screencasts.  School of Pharmacy continuing education credit was provided.

Poster Session I: Board #51  | Date: Sunday, May 15, 2011 

Julia Esparza, AHIP, Clinical Medical Librarian, Department of Medical Library Science, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center–Shreveport; Stephanie Fulton, AHIP, Associate Director, Research Medical Library, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center–Houston; Jodi L. Philbrick, Course Coordinator, Department of Library and Information Sciences Health Informatics, University of North Texas–Denton; Nancy J. Allee, AHIP, Deputy Director, Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan–Ann Arbor; Carrie L. Iwema, Information Specialist, Molecular Biology, Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA; Shannon D. Jones, AHIP, Associate Director, Research and Education, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University–Richmond; Mindy Robinson-Paquette, Senior Information Specialist, Scientific Information and Library Service, Sanofi-Aventis, Malvern, PA

Objective: A program report discussing the implementation of an innovative program session at MLA ’11 by the Cancer Librarians

Section with other sections and special interest groups (SIGs). There were three primary objectives: (1) to increase participation by organization members who cannot attend a national annual meeting, (2) to demonstrate the process implemented to select videos for peer-reviewed video supplements at a national meeting, and (3) to assess the success of the member participation using this innovative program format.

Methods: Program representatives from sections and SIGs determined the appropriate length and number of videos to supplement the traditional contributed paper presentations. Determination of video repository was made through examination of free resources with established reliability and security. Representatives tested the system for security and ease of use by the prospective video contributors. In consultation with MLA’s executive leadership, a proper copyright release was created. National models within the organization were used to develop the criteria for peer review. Email and newsletter calls to participate were sent to organization members. A determination to award prizes was made to encourage submissions of those reluctant to share their stories.

Results: As a first-time program, the technical issues involved with developing a mechanism for videos to be submitted, determining formats for the videos to be submitted, and obtaining submissions proved to be challenging. The peer-reviewed criteria involving audience participation may be useful for others to implement in planning programs of this kind in the future. By asking those attending the session to vote on the video submissions, the session program planners hope to see many attendees at the session providing feedback.

Conclusions: This new model of session programming could be used for future program sessions to encourage involvement of those who are unable to attend the session but have valuable

Section Program: Next Steps: The Future | Date: Sunday, May 15, 2011  |  View the Presentation

Authors: Emily Mazure, AHIP, Biomedical Research Liaison Librarian, Medical Center Library and Archives, Duke University, Durham, NC; Shannon D. Jones, AHIP, Associate Director, Research and Education; Jennifer McDaniel, AHIP, Education and Research Librarian; Andrew Bain, Library Specialist I; Thelma Mack, Research and Education Coordinator; Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University – Richmond

Objective: To develop a well-defined and easily maintained online presence via social media tools such as blogs, Facebook, Flickr, and Twitter.

Methods: Our library has promoted itself using a news blog, Flickr, and Facebook with little documented success. An effort was made to review and revamp our use of online social media tools. Several factors were investigated. We reviewed currently available social media tools, investigated how these tools are being used in other libraries, and investigated the potential uses for our library. As we investigated various tools, we explored the practicality of each tool for promoting library services and methods for making the content relevant and visible to users.  Based on our research, evaluation, and findings, we developed a streamlined process for managing our library’s social media presence. To provide a holistic view of the library’s activities, library staff with knowledge of each department’s activities were involved in this project. In addition, plans were developed for evaluating and assessing the effectiveness of each tool. A scorecard, based on the project goals, was developed and used to track a variety of user interactions.

Shannon D. Jones, Associate Director, Research and Education, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, VCU Libraries, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

The Medical Library Association, Inc. (MLA), held its 113th Annual Meeting  in Minneapolis, MN, May 14–26, 2011 at the Hilton Minneapolis. The meeting theme was Rethink.

Section Program: Revitalize Your Message  | Date: Monday, May 16, 2011  |   View the Presentation

Abstract 

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to describe the training program that our library developed to prepare newly hired librarians to become liaisons.

Setting: An urban academic health sciences library serving the schools of allied health professions, dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy.

Description: The literature suggests that it takes six to twelve months for a new employee to learn an organization’s culture and their role within that organization. In the fast-paced health sciences environment, we don’t always have the luxury of an extended orientation period. Our constituents don’t differentiate between seasoned and new librarians; they just want information quickly, to the point, and at the point of need. They expect us of to know the answers they need. Embracing the idea that one must possess the ability to promote the library at a moment’s notice, librarians must always be prepared to deliver an elevator speech regardless of the time, location, or target audience. This task is especially hard when you are still learning your job, the organization, and its people. In late 2010, we hired several new librarians within months of each other. Due to staffing shortages and competing priorities, we needed these individuals to be ready to assume liaison responsibilities in a relatively short amount of time. To shorten their orientation period, “seasoned” librarians developed a formal training program to bring these new librarians on board. Our goal for the training was for our new staff to learn as much about our library’s collections, services, and their assigned liaison school as quickly as possible.  This training emphasized the need to gain an understanding of the library’s mission, the schools and programs we serve, and in-depth information about their individual liaison schools including curricula expectations, identify the school’s key players, faculty research interests, and how well the library’s collection supported the discipline.

Poster Presentation: Session II  |  Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Presentation Title: Connect to Open Source Bibliographic Management Software: A Reflection on Five Free Citation Management Programs (#5) | View abstract on MLAnet.org

Authors: Alan T. Williams, Education Services Librarian; Shannon D. Jones, Head, Outreach Services; Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Objective: This poster will compare and contrast several open source citation management programs as an alternative to proprietary bibliographic management software.

Methods: With the increasing popularity of commercial bibliographic management programs at academic medical libraries, librarians became interested in investigating free, open source citation management programs and their similarities and differences to popular proprietary programs subscribed to by academic medical libraries. An intense Internet search was conducted, and from this search, the top five free programs were identified. These programs were BibMe, JabRef, CiteULike, Carmun, and Zotero.  It is hoped that a comparison of the similarities and differences of these free programs will allow more choices for students, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni who may want to transfer their bibliographic citations from a commercial product to an open-source program upon graduation from the university.

Sunday, May 17, 2009 – Poster Session I

• Poster 37 – Developing a Consumer Health Library Orientation and Class for Library Interns and Student Volunteers | Poster Presentation
  Dana L. Ladd and Shannon D. Jones
• Poster 136 -  Restructuring a Service Desk to Refocus Reference Services Outside the Library Building: One Library’s Experience | Poster Presentation
  Irene M. Lubker, Barbara A. Wright, Margaret E. Henderson, and Mary Jane Green

Monday, May 18, 2009 – Poster Session III

• Poster 47 – Think It’s Impossible to Find Cost-effective Screencasting Software? Say Aloha to Three Free Programs and Their Applications in Library Instruction | Poster Presentation
  Alan T. Williams, Kristine M. Hughes, and Shannon D. Jones

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

• Poster 105 – iFusions: Integrating a Consumer Health Library into the Academic Medical Center Community | Poster Presentation
  Dana L. Ladd and Shannon D. Jones

Section Program: Liaisons: Our Live Links to Users

Session Description: Many institutions are creating and using liaison programs to deliver services to their clientele. How are these structured? What do liaisons do well? Are they effective? How can we tell?

Presentation Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Paper Presentation Title: Library Liaisons: Partnering, Connecting, and Engaging with Users: A Recipe for Success | View abstract on MLAnet.org

Authors: Shannon D. Jones, Head, Outreach Services; Catharine S. Canevari, AHIP, Former Associate Director, Research and Education; Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Abstract
Objective: Over the last five years, Tompkins-McCaw Library services have grown to encompass a wide variety of outreach, education, and research support initiatives that have enhanced our ability to connect and disseminate information to our affiliated users. One of these initiatives is our liaison program, which has developed into the backbone of all of these services. This paper describes our core programmatic themes, the context in which they developed, and our methods for tracking, evaluating, and enhancing these services.

Methods: Six years ago, our library began focusing on developing new outreach and education programs to meet the needs of our affiliated users, who increasingly were accessing our resources from remote locations. A liaison plan was created and librarians were assigned liaison roles for specified schools and/or programs. A variety of services have been developed, including a scholarly circuit librarian program, theme-based lecture series, special interest groups, and special events like a technology fair. Liaisons also taught instruction sessions and participated in outreach activities targeted at their specified areas. Our revamped liaison program has supported improved understanding of user needs, promoted the integration of library research into the curricula, and kept users apprised of developments occurring at the library.

Results: Organizing outreach, training, and research support activities around liaison responsibilities has created more opportunities for liaisons to interact with their assigned departments.

Conclusions: Using the liaison program as the backbone of our services has helped to build liaison relationships by increasing their visibility.

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008
Poster Presentation: Session I

Presentation Title: Connecting University Initiatives in Health Literacy: Virginia Commonwealth University Librarians Help to Bridge Gaps (#110) | View abstract on MLAnet.org

Authors: Jean P. Shipman, AHIP, Director, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, and Associate University Librarian; Shannon D. Jones, Head, Outreach Services, Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences; Sarah E. Amick, Executive Assistant; VCU Libraries, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Abstract:
Objective: A Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) multi-campus Health Literacy Special Interest Group was created and is led by librarians to assist university personnel in understanding the importance of health literacy, to inform them of one another’s efforts in this area, and to facilitate the sharing of information about and the latest developments in health literacy.

Methods: VCU librarians encouraged key university faculty to join together informally to discuss potential collaborations for health literacy-related grants and contracts. From these initial ad hoc meetings, a more formal special interest group (SIG) was created that meets on a quarterly basis in the Tompkins-McCaw Library. Library personnel maintain a membership list, cull agenda topics for meetings, and arrange for special speakers. They also publicize upcoming meetings and document meeting proceedings. They created a BlackBoard course to serve as a repository of the SIGs’ knowledgebase and a website to further promote the SIG throughout VCU. A database of published literature was generated using RefWorks, with shared SIG input possible through RefShare. The website also includes an inventory of current VCU projects and grants related to health literacy.

Conclusions: Originally formed to encourage grant applications, the SIG now serves as a vehicle for members to communicate their efforts. Meetings rotate between having sharing sessions among the membership to invited speakers. The SIG is three years old and includes over thirty-five members representing university departments and community agencies. Librarians serve as conduits for connecting university personnel interested in health literacy. Their efforts have kept the topic front and center among personnel in many departments that would otherwise not be connected. A VCU Center for Health Disparities has included health literacy as one of its educational goals; the SIG is assisting with supporting the center’s training efforts and topic promotion. Provision of a centralized repository that documents university efforts regarding health literacy is an efficient means of preserving local knowledge of the topic. A shared database of published literature, accessible to all university personnel, facilitates the writing of grants.

View poster presentation on MLAnet.org

Date: Sunday, May 18, 2008
Poster Presentation: Session I
Download Poster | Handout

Title: Home Field Advantage: Connecting with Users on Their Turf (#152) | View Abstract on MLAnet.org

Authors: Shannon D. Jones, Head, Outreach Services; Catharine S. Canevari, AHIP, Associate Director, Research and Education; Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA

Objective: Services at the Tompkins-McCaw Library for the Health Sciences have grown to encompass a wide variety of outreach and education initiatives to increase our library’s visibility on campus. This poster highlights the variety of outreach activities our library supports in an effort to engage with our affiliated users.

Methods: Each year, the number of resources and services our library provides electronically continues to expand. The result of this expansion is that fewer people are visiting our physical location. So how do you meet the information needs of your affiliated users if they are not visiting the library? What do you do to ensure that your users are effectively using library resources? In response to these questions, our library developed a suite of educational and outreach activities to build relationships with our users on their turf as well as building awareness about library resources, collections, and services. We developed an outreach plan, established goals and objectives, and clarified our target audience. A variety of practical initiatives were created including a liaison program, a scholarly circuit librarian program, theme-based lecture series, special interest groups, a technology fair, and a research day.

Results: The library has an outreach plan that enables librarians to plan ahead and budget for outreach expenses. The plan has tied the outreach activities to specific goals and objectives of the library and the university. Many library outreach activities such as National Center for Biotechnology Information training and public health lectures are attended for professional development by faculty, staff, and students. The growth of library outreach has resulted in the creation of a separate outreach services department.
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Conclusions: The success of library outreach events can be measured in the number of new users reached, number of new activities planned, and recognition the library has gained that enables us to gain recognition and to be sought out as partners by university administrators.

Sunday, May 18, 2008

• Poster Session I  - Connecting with Customers: Customer Service Training For Library Staff (#70) - Irene M. Lubker, Alan T. Williams, Kristine M. Hughes, Barbara A. Wright, Jean P. Shipman, Catharine S. Canevari
• Poster Session I – Connecting University Initiatives in Health Literacy: Virginia Commonwealth University Librarians Help to Bridge Gaps (#110)
  Jean P. Shipman, Shannon D. Jones, Sarah E. Amick
• Poster Session I – Home Field Advantage: Connecting with users on their turf (#152)
  Shannon D. Jones and Catharine S. Canevari

Monday, May 19, 2008

• Section Program: Research Collaborations: Bridges with Impact – Reconstructing Reference to Become Strategic Partners in Research Initiatives
  Irene Lubker, Barbara A. Wright, Margaret Henderson, Shannon D. Jones, Mary Jane Green and Jean P. Shipman and Catharine S. Canevari
• Poster Session II – Using RefShare to Compliment Resource Guides (#151)
  Margaret Henderson and Irene Lubker

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

• Section Program: Liaisons: Our Live Links to Users
  Library Liaisons:  Outreach, Training, Research Support, and Other Services  – Shannon D. Jones and Catharine S. Canevari
• Section Program: Technologies in Teaching – Wimba Live Classroom: Virtual Connections
  Alan T. Williams, Kristine M. Hughes, Virginia L. Stone, and Catharine S. Canevari