Save the date: MLGSCA Fall CE
Posted on | August 5, 2011 | No Comments
The MLGSCA Fall Continuing Education (CE) and Business Meeting will be held on Friday, September 30, 2011.
The CE course, “The Librarian as a Professional, or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Complexity,” will be taught by MLA President Gerald (Jerry) Perry, AHIP, Director of the Health Sciences Library on the University of Colorado–Denver Anschutz Medical Campus.
The class will be available via MegaMeeting from site locations in Arizona and California, or from your personal computer. Details and registration information will be posted on this blog and the MLGSCA listserv soon.
MLGSCA member Research Paper wins Honorable Mention
Posted on | August 4, 2011 | 1 Comment
The MLA Research Section presented their awards for best research papers and posters presented at the MLA 2011 meeting. Penny Coppernoll-Blach, AHIP, and Dominique Turnbow of the University of California- San Diego, garnered an Honorable Mention for their research paper, Assessing Reference Services Using the Reference Effort Assessment Data (READ) Scale. Only three posters and three papers are selected for this honor each year. Congratulations to Penny and Dominique!
Best Bytes: Keeping Up With Technology
Posted on | August 1, 2011 | 1 Comment
Submitted by Janet Crum, Director of Library Services, City of Hope
We all know we need to keep up with changing technology, but that’s easier said than done. Back in March (when I thought this column would be due in April), I asked my colleagues on the MLGSCA email list to share the sites they find most useful for keeping up with technology. Now, better late than never, I share their recommendations, along with my own. In that spirit of sharing, I hope you’ll add your recommendations in the comments. How do you keep up?
Please note that most of these sites offer a variety of ways to get their content: web site, RSS feed, Facebook page, Twitter feed, and email newsletters. I use different means for different sites, depending on whether I want to be sure to read everything or have the occasional bit of tech news sprinkled in with my social media updates.
General Technology
CNet: Recommended by Rikke Ogawa for technology reviews, CNet includes news and how-to articles as well as reviews of a variety of technology products, including car tech, cell phones desktop and laptop computers, digital cameras, home audio, and TVs. You can browse by category and compare products and prices side-by-side. It’s one of the first sites I visit when trying to decide which make and model of gadget I want to waste money on buy.
Fast Company: Recommended by Melissa Just and seconded by yours truly. Fast Company focuses on innovative technology, design, leadership, and “ethonomics” (ethical economics). I often learn of new sites and products from their email newsletter, but you can also connect with them via Facebook, Twitter, or even a subscription to their print magazine (how retro).
Hacker News: Recommended by Rikke Ogawa for tech news. This no-frills site aggregates tech news stories submitted by users. It seems useful for scanning the latest news on a variety of tech topics. Read more
Before You Discard Those Journals On Your Shelves
Posted on | July 27, 2011 | No Comments
According to a recent NLM Technical Bulletin post, “The National Network of Libraries of Medicine® (NN/LM®) and the National Library of Medicine® (NLM®) are working to ensure the preservation and continued access to the historical literature through a new national cooperative medical journals print retention program.”
In the work that has already been done, two separate RML Print Retention Task Forces reached similar conclusions. “Most medical libraries are not currently involved in a formal print retention program, many are facing down-sizing issues, and most would be interested in participating in a program if it were organized for them.” Therefore, “NLM has made decisions that will provide the framework for a national print retention program for the near future.”
Things to keep in mind if a library thinks it might want to participate:
“Approximately 250 AIM and PMC titles have been identified as the primary set of materials to preserve in print. NLM has a list organized by main title with all former titles listed separately and in chronological order. The PMC titles are only those 90 titles that were fully digitized as part of the back issue scanning project conducted from 2003-2010. These titles are the most widely cited and widely requested material and thus most valuable to protect. The list will be made available to all by mid-summer 2011.”
“The period of commitment is 25 years.”
“Journals must have all of their parts in place including covers, tables of contents, advertisements and administrative matter. We understand that many libraries have had varying binding practices over the years where during some periods, some of this material may have been removed. Any Library uncertain of the completeness status of a journal run should validate that materials are intact before making a commitment. In the event that we cannot locate 12 intact copies, NLM will revisit this requirement.”
“Libraries that choose to participate will need to sign an agreement that is being developed now.”
Keep an eye out for more information by end of the summer.
Read more details from the NLM Technical Bulletin
Job Opportunity: Reference Librarian/Nursing Specialist, University of San Francisco
Posted on | July 15, 2011 | No Comments
University of San Francisco is accepting applications for the position of Reference Librarian/Nursing Specialist.
Find out more about the job description and details at https://www.usfjobs.com/postings/5484. The posting is open until filled.
Pecha Kucha
Posted on | July 14, 2011 | No Comments
What is Pecha Kucha (pronounced peh-chak-cha), and what can it do for you?
Pecha Kucha is a creative and fun way to present and view information. The Pecha Kucha format is a simple 20/20; 20 slides of 20 seconds each. That’s a total of 6 minutes and 40 seconds. If you are a bit bored with PowerPoint, why not shake things up a bit and try Pecha Kucha for your next presentation or meeting? You may be surprised at how challenging it is to pare down you subject and keep yourself on track with your ever-moving slide presentation.
Not only is Pecha Kucha a fun way to present and view information, but it’s a social movement too. The format was created in 2003 in Tokyo as an event for young designers to meet, network and show their work in public. Now many cities around the world host “PechaKucha Nights” with varying themes and presenters – but all with the same 20/20 format. The last time I checked, there were 418 cities hosting a Pecha Kucha event.
The format tends toward the informal and presenters are encouraged to relax and simplify their presentations, perhaps only presenting one to two main points. These are not in-depth or comprehensive treatments of a subject – but a way for people to briefly showcase their talent, passions, or travel. The presentations are brief, focused, and one can see the passions of up to a dozen people in one session. As an example, one person even did a presentation on the four cities he has lived in over the past 20 years, a different city every 5 years. That’s the kind of presentation that can go on forever, but in this case, can only last 6 minutes and 40 seconds – due to the ever-flowing format.
Want to know more? Buzzmaven has great tips to help you prepare and present effectively, and the Avoision blog writers have posted slides and videos of one of their own talks in their “Guide to Making a Pecha Kucha Presentation.”
Job Opportunity: Gerontology Library, University of Southern California
Posted on | July 12, 2011 | No Comments
University of Southern California is accepting applications for the position of Head, Gerontology Library.
The position posting (PDF) includes qualifications sought and application procedures. Find out more about USC Libraries on their job postings page. The posting has been updated to reflect the new closing date of August 1, 2011.
23 Things for Professional Development: Supercharge your CPD
Posted on | July 8, 2011 | No Comments
There is an ongoing continuing professional development (CPD) program run by the Cambridge University Library and open to all librarians and staff across the world. Given the developer, you can expect some UK-specific information, but the majority of the program will focus on technologies and skills that can be used worldwide.
As posted on Tame the Web, 23 Things for Professional Development “is a self-directed, self-paced, inclusive, practical and free online programme open to librarians and information professionals at all stages of their career, in any type of role, any sector, and from any part of the world. It encourages information professionals to explore and discover social media “Things,” including Twitter, RSS feeds and file-sharing, as well as other “traditional” CPD routes, such as gaining qualifications, presenting skills and getting published. Participants will be asked to assess how each Thing can assist them in their professional development,and then to blog about each Thing and share their thoughts,views and expertise. The programme is completely informal and no prior knowledge or experience is expected or assumed.”
The program began on June 20, 2011 and runs until October 2011. Check out and sign up for 23 Things for Professional Development online!
Free CE: Mobile resources and tools
Posted on | July 8, 2011 | No Comments
The South Central Chapter of MLA is providing Get Mobilized! An introduction to mobile resources and tools in health sciences libraries, a free online self-paced CE course from July 18-October 2, 2011. Learn more about the class from the chapter and instructors.
From the SCC: “Drawing from the experience of health sciences librarians working in the field with direct experience with mobile devices and resources, this course will cover the following:
- Introduction to mobile resources (July 18-24) Maureen “Molly” Knapp
- Mobile applications (August 1-7) Luke Rosenberger and Julie Gaines
- Mobile trends and issues in academic and hospital environments (August 15-21) Jaime Blanck and Melissa Rethlefsen
- E-readers (August 29-September 4) Suzanne Shurtz
- Promoting mobile resources (September 12-18) Amy Blevins
- Mobile site creation (September 26-October 2) Wayne Loftus
This course is approved for 6 CE credits from MLA. However, you do not need to be a member of MLA to participate.
- Register for this free CE online!”
Best Bytes: Tumblr: Out of Many One
Posted on | July 5, 2011 | No Comments
By Kelly Battese, Arizona State University Libraries
Do you have a hard time keeping track of your many social networking accounts and their passwords? Twitter, Facebook, LiveJournal, Myspace, YouTube: each serves their own purpose and fulfills different social and information needs. However, Tumblr can enhance or replace them all.
Tumblr is a free micro-blogging service that allows users to post blogs, audio, video, quotes, chat, photos and links to a wider audience. Tumblr users post 2 million posts daily, over 15,000 people sign up every day and every second there are 18 posts and 5 reblogs.[1] There exist over 6 billion individual posts and close to 20 million users.[2]
Many other social networking applications can be linked to Tumblr. Facebook and Twitter can be linked to Tumblr so that a post can be shared amongst all or some of the user’s social networking accounts. Blackberry and Android phones can be used to publish to Tumblr. You can post by email or even post an audio message through your phone. Tumblr provides a blog backup system to save your posts and offers a Bookmarklet button where you can easily share what you find online to your Tumblr followers. You can also send your posts directly to a RSS Feed. Tumblr allows the user to customize the look of their Tumblr page. Premium themes are also offered. Tumblr also allows users to have a customized domain name.
Libraries Aren’t Free
Posted on | July 4, 2011 | No Comments
NOT FREE
Recently, ALA retweeted a tweet that originally came from @FSG_Books. It was a library haiku that read: A library card / is a 100% off / coupon for great books. This is a misconception throughout libraries everywhere. A library card isn’t a 100% off coupon. A library card is a tool that allows users to take advantage of the services and materials that have already been purchased for them.
Read more from Tame The Web: Libraries,Technology and People by Michael Stephens.
President’s Column: Hard to Believe
Posted on | June 30, 2011 | No Comments
By Eileen Wakiji, MLGSCA President 2010-2011
It was almost twelve months ago that I was pondering what to write about for The Link as my MLGSCA President term started. Need I say “My, how time flies.”
At the recent June 3rd Advisory Council (AC) Transition Meeting, many items were discussed but of particular interest to the membership is the possibility of a symposium in 2012 and a different venue and time for the 2013 Joint Meeting. Since there will not be a Joint Meeting due to MLA 2012 in Seattle, the AC agreed that a symposium could serve as a replacement for both the Joint Meeting and Spring Continuing Education (CE) in 2012. The hosting of the next Joint Meeting falls on MLGSCA as NCNMLG was responsible for the 2011 Joint Meeting. Unfortunately, the last two Joint Meetings have been a financial burden for both MLGSCA and NCNMLG. Future Joint Meetings, as well as any CE, need to be cost recovery programs and MLGSCA is going to investigate a new look for the Joint Meeting. Watch for news on The Link and the MLGSCA mailing list as more details are worked out for the 2012 Symposium and the 2013 Joint Meeting.
It is exciting to be able to highlight a number of achievements for MLGSCA this year.
CE/Programs: The CE/Program Committee pulled off two successful, cost recovery CEs: Getting Magnetized: Search and Service Strategies for Nursing Excellence and Gaining Leadership Skills without Formally Supervising People. My hat is off to Chair Becky Birr and Co-Chair Lisa Marks and the Committee for this accomplishment.