Best Bytes: Google Docs
Posted on | September 7, 2010 | No Comments
Submitted by April Frost
Google Docs is just one of the many, free web-based collaborative tools available from Google. This tool can be accessed from any computer with a browser, internet access, and a Google (Gmail) account, which is also free. No software downloads are required to use this tool. Google Docs is the “document processing” piece of Google, which includes: word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation formats, as well as the two newly added options, forms and drawing. Any items created or saved to Google Docs can be shared with anyone who has a Gmail account.
Key Features
• Files can be created online, or uploaded from most popular file formats, including DOC, XLS, ODT, ODS, RTF, CSV, PPT, ODF, and Office 2007 formats (except Publisher and Access). Most of the files I have uploaded did not need to be reformatted when I opened them in Google Docs, including files with tables.
• Collaboration on files can be done in real time. Edits are tracked, and the document can be reverted back to any previous revision.
• All documents are safely stored online, and can be organized, not only in Google Docs, but also on each user’s iGoogle page. (Documents can also be instantly created directly from the iGoogle page, but that is another topic!)
• Google has also created plug-ins to make Google Docs viewable on most mobile devices.
• Files can be instantly published to a website, or can be downloaded as PDFs.
• Google supports 53 languages, if you need to translate your documents.
• Words can be added to the dictionary.
• Tables can be easily edited by dragging.
• Bulk uploads: Google Docs now allows multiple files to be uploaded at the same time. The files do not have to be the same format.
• Storage limit: 1024 MB.
Comments
• Menus are fairly intuitive, but could use some improvement. Because files are saved automatically, “Save” is not an option under the file menu, instead it is located on the upper right side of the page. To rename a file, you have to click on the filename, “Untitled”, which is located at the upper left of the page, after the Google Docs logo. For most collaborative documents, however, this works very well.
• Hundreds of templates and page layouts are available to browse and search by category.
• The Drawing app has a lot more features than I had expected, including the ability to download images directly from the internet. I prefer it to Paint.
• The Forms app is very easy to set up. I would use this to create a test or survey that will be printed, since we have access to SurveyMonkey.
• Access time can be a little slow.
Click here to give Google Docs a try!
Posted 9/7/10
Newbies: Stephen Kiyoi
Posted on | September 3, 2010 | 1 Comment
Hi all! My name is Stephen Kiyoi, and I just recently graduated from UCLA Information Studies program with a specialization in Medical Informatics. In the fall, I’ll be joining the ranks of National Library of Medicine (NLM) Associate Fellows at the National Institute of Health in Bethesda, Maryland. I’m very excited to start the program, which has been designed to prepare librarians for leadership roles in health sciences libraries and research.
During my time at UCLA, I worked as a Public Service Assistant at UCLA’s Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library (Biomed), where I provided reference services to researchers, students, and the general public. I also had the opportunity to contribute regularly to the library’s blog and collaborate with librarian Amy Chatfield to create UCLA’s Genetics and Genomics LibGuide.
I also worked as a Graduate Student Assistant to Christine Borgman, Professor and Presidential Chair in Information Studies at UCLA. In that capacity, I cataloged Christine’s research and writings, edited and maintained her professional website (http://polaris.gseis.ucla.edu/cborgman/Chriss_Site/Welcome.html).
While in school, I completed an internship at the University of Southern California’s Norris Medical Library. I conducted a preliminary literature review to determine the need for handheld devices in medical libraries and medical education and worked with libraries to research and create a suite of LibGuides.
I received my undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) where I graduated with a degree in English Literature. In my free time I like to run, rock climb, and go to garage sales.
I was recently awarded the MLGSCA student scholarship for 2010.
I’m excited to be embarking on a full career in medical librarianship with you all!
Posted 9/3/10
Recruitment: Associate Director National Network of Libraries of Medicine – Pacific Southwest Region
Posted on | September 2, 2010 | No Comments
The UCLA Library has initiated recruitment for the position of Associate Director National Network of Libraries of Medicine – Pacific Southwest Region (NN/LM PSR). We are actively seeking nominations and applications.
The position posting which includes the position description, complete qualifications and application procedures, is available on the Employment and Human Resources website of the UCLA Library.
Posted 9/2/10
Financial Review of chapter
Posted on | September 2, 2010 | 1 Comment
By Ellen Aaronson, MLS, AHIP, MLGSCA Finance Co-Chair
For the past several months, the Advisory Council (AC) has been exploring the benefits of an external review of our finances. As you know, Alan Carr has been serving as the MLGSCA Internal Auditor since 2006, a role suggested by our previous Financial Advisor. Alan reviews our QuickBooks accounts and reports on our accounting procedures to the AC but it has been about 6 years since we had any type of external input.
At the Advisory Council Budget Meeting in July 2009, our Financial Advisor Heidi White suggested that having an external financial review every 2-3 years would be a good idea for MLGSCA. Ms. White has been our Financial Advisor for several years and is a partner at the VAVRINEK, TRINE, DAY & CO., LLP (VTD) accounting firm.
In light of recent events affecting our finances including the closure of the coupon account and expenditures from the 2010 Joint Meeting, the Advisory Council agreed that it was prudent for us to have an outside evaluation performed. Members of the Finance Committee researched the types of evaluations available, costs, pros and cons, and the value of the deliverables to our organization. Financial evaluations include the compilation (basically just a financial statement prepared by a financial advisor), the review (a more detailed analysis with brief suggestions for improvement), and the audit (exhaustive look at all aspects of the client’s financial activity). The AC felt that the review option would be the most cost effective and provide us with the information we need.
Thompson Reuters/Frank Bradway Rogers Information Advancement Award
Posted on | September 2, 2010 | No Comments
By Stephanie Shippey, MLS, AHIP, Senior Director of Public Services, Preston Smith Library of the Health Sciences
The Thomson Reuters/Frank Bradway Rogers Information Advancement Award – Recognize Technological Innovation in Health Science Information The Rogers Award, originally called the ISI Information Advancement Award, is presented annually in recognition of outstanding contributions in the use of technology to deliver health science information, in the science of information, or in the facilitation of the delivery of health science information.
The award, sponsored by the Thomson Reuters, has been given since 1983. The recipient receives a cash award of $500 and will be recognized at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association.
For more information on the award and past winners go to:
http://www.mlanet.org/awards/honors/rogers.html. For a copy of the nomination form, eligibility information and instructions go to:
http://www.mlanet.org/pdf/awards/rogers_nom_20090714.pdf. All nominations are due by November 1, 2010. Please forward this message to colleagues who might be interested.
Contact Jonathan Koffel, Jury Chair
(319-335-9731) or jonathan-koffel@uiowa.edu with questions.
Posted 9/2/10
Newbies: Lisa Federer
Posted on | August 25, 2010 | No Comments
Meet Lisa Federer. I am an MLIS candidate at UCLA. I currently work as a Public Service Assistant at the UCLA Biomedical Library and have recently completed an internship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
I’m interested in electronic health records, clinical medical librarianship, and translational medicine. When I’m not doing library things, you might find me surfing, baking treats, or just hanging out in my beautiful Mid-Wilshire neighborhood.
Posted 8/25/10
Newbies: Kathy Elliot
Posted on | August 24, 2010 | 1 Comment
Greetings from Kathy Elliott! I’m a full-time student in my second semester in the online MLIS program at San Jose State University. This is my third career adventure. After earning an M.S. in biological sciences, I taught high school biology for two years and then worked for more than 20 years as a molecular biologist, primarily in biotech companies.
My current goal is to move into a service-oriented environment as a biomedical information specialist at an academic library or research institution. I was inspired to make this change by my sister, who is a medical librarian and loves her work. I’d like to use my expertise to connect medical professionals, students, and patients with the rapidly expanding field of genetic medicine.
I live in San Diego with one husband, three brittany spaniels, one snake, and four lizards. I’m an avid reader and also enjoy singing in my church choir, gardening, hiking, and visiting wilderness areas. I also have the honor to be the recipient of the 2010 MLA scholarship.
Posted 8/24/10
MLGSCA Student Scholarships
Posted on | August 23, 2010 | No Comments
Medical/Health Sciences Library School Students!
By Laura Stubblefield, Chair of MLGSCA Awards Committee
Each year, MLGSCA awards scholarships to library students from Arizona & Southern California. Three scholarships of $1000 are awarded annually to excellent library/information science students! In addition, one scholarship of $1000 is awarded to a Library Paraprofessional student.
All four successful individuals will need to be enrolled in or entering an ALA-accredited masters program in library and information science and show evidence of interest (through their application) in health sciences librarianship. Priority will be given to applicants enrolled in a library school located in Southern California or Arizona. Deadline is Dec 1. For information on how to apply, eligibility, and application materials go to: http://www.mlgsca.mlanet.org/students.htm
Posted 8/23/10
President’s Column – Message from Incoming President
Posted on | August 23, 2010 | No Comments
By Eileen Wakiji, California State University, Long Beach, MLGSCA President
Happy New Year!*
A new year has begun and the Advisory Council (AC) is already in motion to accomplish some things, engaging MLGSCA’s Financial Advisor to conduct a financial review and discussing the future of Joint Meetings. MLGSCA’s membership is based on a calendar year (January to December), however the “workings” of the organization go from July to June.
The 2010-11 AC members can be found at this link and I would also like to highlight the MLGSCA Benchmarking Liaison position. MLA headquarters has indicated that the MLA benchmarking program is in transition but suggested that if the benchmarking role is useful to our chapter we should keep the position. Charlotte McClamma, Rady Children’s Hospital, San Diego held the last MLA Benchmarking Liaison position and describes the benchmarking effort as very important role for librarians to know the status of other libraries and librarians because of the need for evidence based information. At the August 6th Budget Meeting, the AC approved the name change from MLA Benchmarking Liaison to MLGSCA Benchmarking Liaison and offered the role to Charlotte who has accepted.
I know it is not unusual to start anew in the summer since many of us do so every year because of our work, e.g., a fiscal year that goes from July to June or new medical students and residents starting in July. For me, I try to use the summer to catch up and get to those projects I have set aside until I can devote some quality time to them. Now that it is August though, it’s time again to get ready for the fall semester to start the academic cycle all over again.
As the 2010-11 MLGSCA President, I would like to extend my best wishes to the membership for a Happy New Year!
*Unfortunately I started this column in July but was finally inspired to finish this column while watching the DVD Julie & Julia. Julie has decided to blog, The Julie/Julia Project, about her experience of cooking 524 recipes from Julia Child’s “Mastering the Art of French Cooking” in 365 days. Don’t worry I am not going to overtake the MLGSCA Link blog and turn it into a project.
Posted 8/23/10
Newbies: Kathleen Shepler
Posted on | August 23, 2010 | No Comments
Meet Kathleen Shepler. I’ve been at the Health Sciences Library at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center in Phoenix, AZ for 20 years. My life has multiple connections with Good Sam. Until my father’s death here in 1978, it wasn’t unusual for me to join him when he made pastoral calls here. A decade later I became a library volunteer and then was offered and accepted a job here at the hospital.
Earlier with a Bachelors of Science in Psychology in hand from Arizona State University and having also attended Pomona and Phoenix Colleges, I’d worked as a Research Assistant at St. Luke’s Hospital in Phoenix and as a library assistant at Phoenix Public Library.
My current interests include photography and the book club I’ve belonged to for at least ten years. I am also the first recipient of the Outstanding Health Sciences Library Paraprofessional of the Year Award.
Posted 8/23/10
Professional Development Awards
Posted on | August 23, 2010 | No Comments
By Laura Stubblefield, Chair of MLGSCA Awards Committee
Are you looking to improve your skills, update yourself, or take a leadership development course? The MLGSCA offers financial assistance in the amounts of $100 to $500 through Professional Development Awards. The awards can be used for attending courses, meetings, travel expenses, conferences or other educational activities that will increase your library and information skills. Please see the MLGSCA Awards and Grants page for more information and the application. Deadline is Sept 15th.
Posted 8/23/10
Calling all MLGSCA members!
Posted on | August 20, 2010 | No Comments
Are you a “newbie” wanting to get your foot in the door of the Southern California /AZ Health Sciences Libraries scene? Or a “veteran” willing to share your wealth of knowledge? Maybe you’re a mid-career professional in a special niche or especially inclined toward giving back to the profession! Please consider participating in MLGSCA’s Mentoring Program.
MLGSCA recognizes the need and importance of fostering and developing health sciences librarians. In order to accomplish this, MLGSCA sponsors a Mentor Program administered by the Professional Issues Committee (PIC). The PIC also maintains a roster of mentors and those seeking mentors to facilitate an appropriate match when possible.
Please contact Irene Lovas (Irene.Lovas@cshs.org), Professional Issues Chair or Danielle Linden (danielle.linden@gmail.com), Membership Chair for more information.”
Posted 8/20/10
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