Connecting University Initiatives in Health Literacy, MLA 2008

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

 

Home Field Advantage: Connecting with Users on Their Turf, MLA 2008

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
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.

 

Online Information Literacy Training: Recipe for Success – 2007

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of MLA held its 2007 Annul Meeting  from October 9 -12, 2007 in Baltimore, MD at the Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards. The meeting theme was “What’ll it be, Hon? Libraries a la carte.”

Presentation Date: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 

Paper Presentation Title:  Online Information Literacy Training: Recipe for Success 

Authors: Virginia L. Stone, Catharine S. Canevari, and Shannon D. Jones

Abstract
Objective: Use distance learning technologies to deliver library instruction.

Methods: Librarians designed a non-credit course using the Blackboard course management system to deliver comprehensive information literacy instruction to health sciences students enrolled in distance education and on-campus programs. The Association of College and Resource Libraries Information Literacy Competency Standards for Higher Education were used as the basis for designing content. Sections for content were organized in the Blackboard course. These included sections for Announcements, Welcome, Getting Started, Exploring Databases, Getting Materials, Evaluating, Citing Sources, and Check Your Skills. Database tutorials, help pages, self-checking assessments are included as part of the content. System-provided tools are used to facilitate communication and push information to remote users. Students enrolled themselves in the course during library orientations, and announcements remind them of available resources within the course to help them with their assignments.

Note: Also presented at the 207 Medical Library Association Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on May 21, 2007. View abstract on MLAnet.org