Fundamentals of Bioinformatics and A Librarian’s Guide to NCBI
Posted on | May 16, 2013 | No Comments
In January 2013, the National Library of Medicine issued a call for applicants for a new Bioinformatics training course for librarians. NLM selected 23 librarians to participate in a 4-week fundamentals course online to introduce the basic concepts of biology, molecular biology, bioinformatics and an overview of NCBI’s website. After the 4-week course, the participants spent a week at NLM training on NCBI resources. The 4-week online section consisted of videos and exercises developed by Diane Rein, PhD, MLS, Associate Librarian and Bioinformatics Liaison at the Health Sciences Library, SUNY University at Buffalo. With her training in molecular biology and experience as a researcher in addition to her knowledge and skills as a molecular biology and bioinformatics librarian, she was the perfect instructor for the online course introducing the fundamentals for librarians, many of whom have little knowledge, ability and skills on the topic. The 5-day intensive course at NLM focused on several NCBI search databases like Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), Nucleotide, Genome, Gene, Protein, SNP and PubChem with further training on concepts in the field of biology. Instructors were highly experienced researchers who now work at the NCBI division of NLM. As one of the attendees, I found the course was very intensive. Even with my background in biology and nursing, it took a lot of effort to wrap my head around the concepts. However, it was a rewarding and enriching experience that I enjoyed immensely and would willingly do again.
Tags: Bioinformatics > CE (Continuing Education) > NCBI
Call for Papers and Posters: 2013 MAC MLA Annual Meeting
Posted on | May 14, 2013 | No Comments
The MAC Contributed Papers and Posters committees invite you to submit your proposals for the 2013 MAC MLA Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from October 13 through 15, 2013 at the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel. Papers and posters may range from innovative program descriptions to reports on collaborative outreach activities to behind the scenes technical innovation. This is your chance to share with your colleagues the results of interesting work or research you are doing.
For both paper and poster abstracts, please submit a blinded abstract (one that does not contain any identifying information) as well as your regular abstract.
For contributed paper proposals, submit a 300 word structured* abstract to describe your paper. Include your name, position title, address, phone number, and email address. Both the regular and blinded abstract should be sent to Ellen Detlefsen, Chair of the Contributed Papers committee, at mac2013papers@gmail.com
For poster proposals, submit a 300 word structured* abstract to describe your poster. Include your name, position title, address, phone number, and email address. Both the regular and the blinded abstracts should be sent to Melissa Ratajeski, Chair of the Posters committee, at mac2013posters@gmail.com
The submission deadline is May 31, 2013.
The primary author of each paper or poster will be notified of the committee’s decision in early July. Additional information (i.e. time, location, set-up instructions, etc.) will be sent with the acceptance notification. Those presenting papers or posters must register for the meeting.
The MAC Research and Assessment Committee will recognize 3 papers and 3 posters at the Annual Meeting as work that demonstrates high-quality research. All submitters are required to either select a type of research or to designate that their presentation is not to be considered as research. Only those who select a type of research will be considered for the Research Awards judging process. For help in selecting the type of research, please see the “Inventory of Research Methods for Librarianship and Informatics,” published in the January 2004 issue of the Journal of the Medical Library Association.
Research papers and posters are scored using similar criteria to those used by the MLA Research Committee at MLA Annual Meetings. Points are awarded for study design, validity, reliability, presentation, and implications of the research.
*New this year!* The 2013 MAC annual meeting will also feature a People’s Choice award for the poster session. After viewing the posters, attendees will be able to vote for their favorite. The author(s) of the poster garnering the greatest number of attendee votes will be honored with a certificate and a bookstore gift card.
*Use of a structured abstract is encouraged. For more information on writing a structured abstract, please see MLA’s Research Section’s “The Structured Abstract: An Essential Tool for Researchers.“
Paper deadline extended! MLGSCA/NCNMLG 2013 Joint Meeting
Posted on | May 13, 2013 | No Comments
We would like to offer you one final chance to add to the MLGSCA/NCNMLG Joint Meeting programming this year. The deadline for submissions is now May 31st, 2013.
We still have slots open for paper presentations. Some of you had wonderful posters at MLA 2013 in Boston, or were inspired to report on your activities after viewing the exciting presentations at MLA 2013, and I hope you will consider adding to our program by submitting a paper on your intriguing topics. In addition to paper submissions, we will also offer a session of Lightning Talks.
What are Lightning Talks?
Lightning Talks are designed so that you can talk briefly about newly implemented services or new research conducted. Make sure that the talks support the conference’s theme of change or opportunities in your institutions. You can present for 5 minutes and you can present 3-5 slides on your topic. Submit a short description of your talk, and we will notify you ASAP.
Remember – this is a great opportunity to talk about what you’re doing in your institutions and I know we can all benefit from your experiences. Don’t be shy!
For Contributed Papers, send a 200-300 word abstract to Annie Hughes via email. Please put “contributed paper proposal” in the subject line.
For Lightning Talks, send a 100-200 word abstract to Annie Hughes via email. Please put “Lightning Talk” in the subject line.
The MLGSCA/NCNMLG 2013 Joint Meeting will be held in La Jolla, CA on July 24-26, 2013 at the University of California, San Diego’s Price Center. The conference theme is Waves of Change, Oceans of Opportunity and can encompass a variety of topics. Projects, services, innovations, lessons learned, and success stories which illustrate how we are celebrating opportunity during continual change are all possible paper or Lightning Talk topics.
MLGSCA/NCNMLG Joint Meeting 2013 is not sponsored by the University of California, San Diego. The views expressed at the conference are not supported or endorsed by the University of California, San Diego.
Job Opportunity: FT Library Information Associate at AHSL-Phoenix
Posted on | May 3, 2013 | No Comments
Submitted by Kathleen Carlson
The University of Arizona announces a job opening for a FT Library Information Associate. Responsibilities include:
- Provide a wide range of information and reference services to the campus community.
- Participate in cross-functional, regularly recurring, complex assignments such as cataloging, reference, document delivery or vendor relations.
- May recruit, select, train and oversee student employee activities and assignments.
- Participate in decision-making assignments on cross-functional teams.
- Initiate problem solving by facilitating group efforts at process improvement, coordinating and facilitating meetings, making formal and informal presentations and collecting data based on technical expertise.
- Collect, enter and report data as assigned.
- Participate in selection and developmental review committees.
For more information, visit http://www.uacareertrack.com/applicants/Central?quickFind=207929
MLGSCA at MLA
Posted on | April 22, 2013 | 2 Comments
Congratulations to MLGSCA members for having proposals accepted at One Health: Information in an Interdependent World, the Medical Library Association annual conference, held May 3-8 in Boston, MA. Visit your MLGSCA colleagues as they present the papers and posters listed below. Check out the MLA 2013 scheduling tool to make your own calendar.
Sunday, May 5th:
Posters in session 1
Elisa Cortez, Collaborating with Faculty to Support Information Literacy for Physician Assistants: Using Curriculum Maps and Student Learning Outcomes.
Ruth Harris and Frances Chu, Librarians Collaborating with Faculty to Develop and Deliver an Evidence-Based Eye Care Course.
Marcia Henry, International Health Care Issues and Services Identified while Mapping the Gerontological Nursing Literature.
Annie M. Hughes, Keeping Faculty and Residents Up-to-Date with a Library-Created E-Tables of Contents (TOC) Service.
Judith Kammerer and Kathryn Elliot, Assessing the Genomic Medicine Information Needs/Interest of Community Physicians & Development of a Focused Online Portal.
Monday, May 6th:
Papers
Janis Brown and Jin Wu, “Interdisciplinary Educational Technology Committee: Working toward Enhancements” in Education in International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists 2: Animal Health Librarians Collaborating Globally. 1:30-3:00 PM.
Megan Curran, “Bringing Back the Librarian as Collection Curator in Data Driven Acquisitions (DDA): A Year-Long Experiment in Next-Generation E-Book DDA in an Academic Health Sciences Library” in Leading by Design, Not Default: Focused Direction in Support of the User. 3-4:30 PM.
Posters in session 2
Frances Chu, Diabetes Information Outreach to the Latino/Hispanic Population of Pomona, California.
Lisa Federer, All It Takes Is One: Single-Session Data Literacy Instruction.
Tuesday, May 7th:
Papers
Danielle Linden, “In Support of Magnet Status: Added Value of a Librarian on the Nursing Research Council” in Structuring Our Services for the Future in Health Care. 3-4:30 PM.
Jin Wu and Amy Chatfield, “Innovations in Multimedia: See One, Do One, Teach One” in Education and Media: Creative Advice from the Media Experts. 3-4:30 PM.
Posters in session 3
Ellen Aaronson, Jacqueline Doyle, Sally Harvey, Judy Kraemer. The MLA Hospital Library Standards: a valuable tool for library promotion then, now and in the future.
Elisa Cortez, Supporting a Culture of Service: Outreach through Service Learning Partnerships.
Megan Curran, QR You? Using Quick Response (QR) Codes to Provide Access to the Medical Library’s Electronic Resources.
Annie M. Hughes, The Librarian’s Role in Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in the Dental School Curriculum.
Rikke Sarah Ogawa, Reviving Non-Curriculum Teaching.
Posters in session 4
Bethany Harris, Analysis of Consumer Health Questions for Development of Question-Answering Technology.
Sherrill Olsen, Healthy Teens: An Express Outreach Award Project.
If you’re a member and do not appear on this list, add your presentation or poster name, date, and time as a comment. We apologize for any omissions.
MLGSCA Election Results
Posted on | April 2, 2013 | No Comments
Submitted by Becky Birr, Nominating Committee Chair
The MLGSCA election wrapped up last week via Ballot Bin. I think we had a great turnout as 101 of 196 members voted which is 51.5%.
The elected candidates are:
President-Elect: Lisa Federer
Treasurer: Janet Hobbs
Secretary: Frances Chu
MLGSCA Nominating Committee: Kathy Zeblisky & Nita Mailander
Lisa Marks was submitted and approved by the MLGSCA Advisory Council as MLGSCA’s nominee to the MLA Nominating Committee.
Thanks again to the Nominating Committee and all the candidates that ran.
Joint Meeting Countdown – #6
Posted on | April 1, 2013 | No Comments
The MLGSCA/NCNMLG Joint Meeting 2013 will be held at the University of California, San Diego, July 24-26, 2013. We’ll count down the top 10 reasons to visit La Jolla (and points nearby) over the next five weeks to get you excited about the Joint Meeting!
Paper and poster proposals are due March 31st, 2013. Check out the Joint Meeting website for details on how to submit!

Lovely seaside lunch Photo by A Magill, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license.
The Countdown–Reason #6
La Jolla boasts an array of restaurants to suit any cuisine and any budget. Fancier places have seaside views, or grab take-out and have a picnic on one of La Jolla’s fantastic beaches.
The 2013 MLGSCA/NCNMLG conference is not sponsored by the University of California. The views expressed at the conference are not supported or endorsed by the University of California and/or UC SAN DIEGO.
2013 Louise Darling MLGSCA Achievement Award Recipient
Posted on | March 26, 2013 | No Comments
Congratulations to Lisa Marks on receiving the Louise Darling MLGSCA Achievement Award at our 2013 Spring Meeting. Her energy and drive has allowed her to accomplish so much for our profession. She works at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center in Burbank CA. Lisa has held many roles in MLGSCA. She has been our Treasurer, Professional Issues Chair, Chapter President and has served on many of our committees during the last 15 years. In 2012, she developed the MLGSCA Symposium entitled “Information Treasure Hunt: Supporting Evidence-Based Practice@ Your Institution”. Lisa has been instrumental in three posters “Use of MegaMeeting for Our Chapter’s CE Programs”; “Consumer Health Library within the Cancer Center at Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center”; and “Operation Medical Libraries Project”. Currently she is serving as Co-Chair for Continuing Education on the 2013 Joint Meeting Planning Committee. Lisa’s contributions and enthusiasm to MLGSCA has set a high standard for excellence through her service to the practice of librarianship, and her commitment to the professional associations in which she is involved. Thank you, Lisa, for being such a great leader and mentor to us all and congratulations on being our 2013 Louise Darling MLGSCA Achievement Award recipient.
Submitted by Laura Stubblefield
Chair, MLGSCA Awards Committee
Joint Meeting Countdown – Lucky #7
Posted on | March 25, 2013 | No Comments
The MLGSCA/NCNMLG Joint Meeting 2013 will be held at the University of California, San Diego, July 24-26, 2013. We’ll count down the top 10 reasons to visit La Jolla (and points nearby) over the next five weeks to get you excited about the Joint Meeting!
Paper and poster proposals are due March 31st, 2013. Check out the Joint Meeting website for details on how to submit!

Photo by SD Dirk, http://www.flickr.com/photos/dirkhansen/2890691443/ licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license.
And now, on to the countdown: Lucky #7!
Visit the La Jolla Underwater Park for diving and snorkeling, or stay dry and see living coral reefs and seahorses at Birch Aquarium.
MLGSCA Professional Development Award
Posted on | March 25, 2013 | No Comments
Each year, MLGSCA provides monetary assistance to members who are looking to update their skills, add new skills to their repertoire or perhaps develop leadership skills. This year, the Awards Committee is pleased to announce that three of our four Professional Development Awards were given out. Congratulations to Danielle Linden ($500), Lisa Marks ($500) and Lisa Federer ($500). These awards will help cover classes at MLA’s Annual Conference in Boston and the ICPSR Summer Program “Curating and Managing Research Data for Re-Use” .
Our next Professional Development application deadline is September 15, 2013. Applications can be found on the MLGSCA website.
Submitted by Laura Stubblefield
Chair, MLGSCA Awards Committee
Joint Meeting Countdown – #8: The Cuteness Factor
Posted on | March 22, 2013 | No Comments
The MLGSCA/NCNMLG Joint Meeting 2013 will be held at the University of California, San Diego, July 24-26, 2013. We’ll count down the top 10 reasons to visit La Jolla (and points nearby) over the next five weeks to get you excited about the Joint Meeting!
Paper and poster proposals are due March 31st, 2013. Check out the Joint Meeting website for details on how to submit!
The Countdown!
Attraction #8. Spend the night at the world-famous San Diego Zoo! Conveniently, the event begins just as the MLGSCA/NCNMLG Joint Meeting ends. In July, the sleepover is named “Slumber Down Under,” focusing on the Australian Outback exhibit.
Koala Photo by donjd2, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution license.
The 2013 MLGSCA/NCNMLG conference is not sponsored by the University of California. The views expressed at the conference are not supported or endorsed by the University of California and/or UC SAN DIEGO.
New to MLGSCA – Virginia Pannabecker
Posted on | March 20, 2013 | No Comments
Here’s your opportunity to get to know more about one of our newer members. Don’t miss Virginia’s invitation at the bottom.
What was your background before becoming a medical librarian? My experience in academic libraries began in 1995. I’ve worked in Access Services, Technical Services, Reference/Research Services, Instruction, Liaison work, Collection Management, and Supervision. My subject area background has mostly been in the Humanities, but as a generalist at many service points, I’ve built several years experience in assisting with research of all subjects, including Health Sciences. In 2008 I was able to further specialize in Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences when I moved to a position at the Noble Science and Engineering Library on ASU’s Tempe campus.

