Current Issues in Professional Associations LIS 2000 Understanding Information 9/28/2006

Overview of the MLA M edical L ibrary A ssociation Founded in 1898 by four librarians and four doctors 2 nd oldest library association in the USA Includes 1200 institutions and 3800 professionals in the health field Created to “encourage the improvement and increase of public medical libraries”

Overview of the MLA Continued 23 special interest groups that meet and encourage networking 14 geographically grouped chapters

Purpose of the MLA To develop programs to serve the needs of health information specialists To be an advocate for all health science librarians and libraries

What the MLA Does Annual meeting to discuss new research, papers, issues, etc. Provide guidelines for upgrading medical libraries’ services, resources, and facilities Promote communication between library, institutions, and government Help medical librarians find jobs

What the MLA Does Cont’d Provide continuing courses for educating librarians Provide honors, awards, scholarships, and fellowships The Exchange The Bulletin of the Medical Library Association and the MLA News

Current Issue: Electronic Access Problem: The current model for electronic access leaves many libraries and institutions overpaying and without ownership rights Goal: To reduce costs and achieve a more equal standard for contracts

Electronic Access: Solutions Unify with other organizations Educate and encourage open access journals SPARC, BioOne, PubMed Central, Public Library of Science Directory of open access journals ( Disseminate in house articles and information

Current Issues: Global Initiatives Problem: There is a large gap between the haves and have-nots in the international health information field Goal: To provide a strategic plan to improve and promote international relations and programs

Global Initiatives: Solutions Designate an International Affairs Officer Create an MLA International Award for Excellence in International Service Create an international website Partner with other international organizations to create Librarians Without Borders

Current Issue: Health Information Literacy Problem: 1)According to the Wall Street Journal, “as many as half of all adults in all socio-economic levels struggle with health literacy” 2)According to Lucian Leape, Harvard public health professor, “medical errors are a leading cause of death, account for more fatalities each year than breast cancer, automobile accidents or AIDS”

Health Information Literacy Problems Cont’d

Health Information Literacy Goal Goal: Because of their ability to quickly acquire and organize relevant information, medical librarians should play a larger role in providing information to both doctors and institutions as well as patients

Health Information Literacy: Michael Homan: Health Professionals Put health librarians on the patient safety committee Have doctors work with health librarians on a one-on-one basis Create an easily implemented and used system for doctors to report mistakes and more importantly to learn from them

Health Information Literacy: Michael Homan: Patients Be an available source of information for patients and their families Create easily found and reliable websites for health information Quickly search for information and articles on the special needs of a patient

Health Information Literacy: MLA Solutions MLA definition: Health Information Literacy is the set of abilities needed to: recognize a health information need; identify likely information sources and use them to retrieve relevant information; assess the quality of the information and its applicability to a specific situation; and analyze, understand, and use the information to make good health decisions.

Health Information Literacy: MLA Solutions Create resources like MLA’s “Top Ten” and recommended websites Partner with other organizations to promote health information literacy Since only 20% of members were involved in health literacy programs, more should be encouraged

Division of the ALA 11,000+ members Mission: to enhance the development and effectiveness of public library staff and public library services. Public Library Association

Issues PLA 2005 Membership Report MOST INTEREST 1.Ideas for promoting use of library services 2.Marketing the library 3.Ideas for increasing financial support for library LEAST INTEREST 1.Fees for service 2.Finding a library job 3.Cooperation with academic libraries

DISCUSSION What issues do you believe are most important to public libraries?

PLA Membership Report pp

The State of America’s Libraries Americans named the top characteristics of public libraries: 1)Free services 2)Lifelong learning 3)Enhances education 4)Information for school and work 5)Free services gives everyone a chance to succeed

SMARTEST CARD CAMPAIGN Subscribe to e-newsletter on Smartest Card Campaign Nonmembers:

Special Libraries Association 12,000+ members Mission: promote and strengthen its members through learning, advocacy, and networking initiatives.

Publications Information Outlook monthly publication available in IS Library and online  Special Libraries SLA journal from available in IS Library and online as PDF 

E-Newsletters SLA Connections Learning Connections Public Policy Connections Conference Connections Industry Connections

Professional Development 2006 Annual Campaign for Professional Development 1)create SLA LearnCenter 2)more online courses 3)purchase Internet-based video and audio system 4)construct an Internet studio at SLA's Global Headquarters

Click University Live and self-paced online courses Certificates of Advanced Study Discounts for degree programs at Drexel and University of Syracuse Free podcasts for non-members from SLA Conference and info about Click University

SLA PITTSBURGH CHAPTER The Confluence Newsletter for SLA Pittsburgh chapter available online 

ALAWON American Library Association Washington Office Newsline

The ALAWON: What It’s About An irregular publication, but trends show it comes out 2-3 times a month. Acts as a mouthpiece between ALA members and/or library activists and federal legislators Each issue focuses on one or two hot topics that involve Capitol Hill.

Why Do Librarians Need This? 1. ALAWON provides opportunity to unite librarians on government issues 2.This union allows librarians a chance to make a greater impact 3. Keeps librarians current on what’s going on in Washington

What are the main topics/recurrent themes discussed in ALAWON?

August’s Topics August’s topics fell under 2 main issues: –Increasing awareness of libraries LCSM = Library Card Sign-Up Month Literacy Information & Communication Regional Resource Centers program – Funding Updated Grants page on ALA Washington Office’s website New grant for “The Big Read” program

Library Card Sign-Up Month September Encourages parents to sign kids up for cards ALA is asking Congress to mention LCSM in local speeches, etc. to get the word out Encourages ALAWON readers to do the same ALAWON has link to a fact sheet on LCSM

The Big Read National Endowment for the Arts’ The Big Read program 100 grants awarded in 2007 Communities come together to discuss one book Communities will receive library resources as well as the grant Link to

September’s Topics H.R. 5439, the “Orphan Works Act of 2006” –Deals with increasing awareness of this act and challenging the legislation ALA Washington Office offers free Online Advocacy Training –Geared towards training library supporters to communicate with Congress

More September Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, S –Provides awareness of a new bill that allows a searchable database to show grants, loans, contracts, etc., awarded by the federal government –Amendment to original bill was passed that requires separate search engines for grants and contracts

How does this kind of newsletter/information benefit library supporters?

ALA Washington Office’s Other Current Issues The Washington Office has eight main focuses besides the Newsline. Some are: –Technology, the Internet, and Telecommunications Broadband CALEA Interactive Web Applications E-Rate Internet Safety

–Federal Funding Why it matters to librarians Current status What you can do –Head Start Child development program that helps kids from low-income families be better prepared for school Current status Recent Legislative background –Civil Liberties, Intellectual Freedom, and Privacy CIPA

Privacy US PATRIOT Act These are just a few of the main issues that ALA’s Washington Office are focused on right now. The Newsline is geared towards keeping interested parties informed on issues related to these topics.

American Libraries Publication from the ALA Published monthly Subscription required or available with ALA membership Unlike ALAWON, American Libraries has articles dealing with local issues, job info, and non-government-related topics

Current Issues in American Libraries August’s issue discusses: – Rebuilding New Orleans’ libraries –News from meetings/conferences of ALA organizations –Literature by librarians, on library issues –Job opportunities and ways to connect to your community September’s issue discusses:

–ALA awards, scholarships, grants given and received in 2006 –Business strategies for libraries –Marketing strategies for libraries, things like changing the concept of how a library is perceived