The Medical Library Association, Inc. (MLA), held its 109th Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, May 16- 21, 2008, at the Hyatt Regency Chicago. The meeting theme was “Connections: Bridging the Gaps”
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
Downtown Librarian- Presentations by Shannon D. Jones 
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