MLA '08: Section Programs
The diversity of thought-provoking programs coordinated by MLA sections and special interest groups (SIGs) offers exciting opportunities for professional development. Interested in presenting? Visit the "Call for Papers and Posters" on this site.
This list is organized alphabetically by primary section sponsor.
Last updated 1/03/2008.
| PRIMARY SPONSOR | SECONDARY SPONSOR(S) | PROGRAM NAME | PROGRAM FORMAT | PROGRAM DAY / TIME & ROOM |
| 2008 National Program Committee | Building Connections to the Future | Contributed Papers | Monday, May 19; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus AB | |
| Description: This session will focus on what the future of medical libraries looks like to those individuals most likely to shape it: current students and recent graduates who have received their master’s of library and information science degrees in the past five years. New and future librarians are invited to contribute papers outlining the priorities and major issues for medical futures in the forthcoming years. These will be the people shaping the future. Come see what shape it will take! | ||||
| 2008 National Program Committee | Forging Connections to Emerging Research | Contributed Papers | Sunday, May 18; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus KL | |
| Description: Many researchers are exploring areas that are not easily categorized into current section themes. The 2008 National Program Committee will provide this opportunity for the best of the contributed papers from researchers whose projects cannot be slotted into other existing section program sessions. Selection will be determined by peer review. | ||||
| 2008 National Program Committee | Forging Connections to Emerging Research: New Technologies | Contributed Papers | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus KL | |
| Description: Many researchers are exploring areas that are not easily categorized into current section themes. The 2008 National Program Committee will provide this opportunity for the best of the contributed papers from researchers whose projects cannot be slotted into other existing section program sessions. Selection will be determined by peer review. | ||||
| 2008 National Program Committee | Forging Connections to Emerging Research: New Horizons | Contributed Papers | Tuesday, May 20; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus CD | |
| Description: Many researchers are exploring areas that are not easily categorized into current section themes. The 2008 National Program Committee will provide this opportunity for the best of the contributed papers from researchers whose projects cannot be slotted into other existing section program sessions. Selection will be determined by peer review. | ||||
| Cancer Librarians Section | Clinical Librarians and Evidence-Based Health Care SIG, Molecular Biology and Genomics SIG | Translational Research: Benchmark, Bedside, and Beyond | Panel | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus EF |
| Description: Three speakers or a panel discussion about translational medicine and where the library and librarians fall into the big picture will be presented. | ||||
| Collection Development Section | Bridging the Library Ethics Gap: Conflict of Interest Concerns of Librarians | Invited Papers | Monday, May 19; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Columbus EF | |
| Description: There are many concerns about possible conflicts of interest involving physicians. Less concern has been expressed about possible conflicts of interest involving medical librarians. Some of these concerns include vendor relations. What about participation on editorial or advisory boards? What about attending vendor-sponsored meals or parties? | ||||
| Consumer and Patient Health Information Section | Collection Development Section; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Health Science Librarians SIG | Consent or Obedience? Medical Authority and Consumer Health Education: Bridging the Medical Ethics Gap | Invited Speaker | Monday, May 19; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Grand Ballroom A |
| Description: Today, the Internet has transformed the way consumer health information is distributed and who has access. Consumers have access to multiple, conflicting sources of medical information and deciphering this information calls for skills and strategies for judging the trustworthiness of a source. This program will discuss the ethics of research on medical authority and knowledge (e.g., how consumers use health information and the ethical implications of that). | ||||
| Consumer and Patient Health Information Section | Hospital Libraries Section, Corporate Information Services Section, Library Marketing SIG, Leadership and Management Section | The Bridge Is Out: Better Learn How to Swim—Coping with Budget Cuts—Creative Solutions in Lean Times | Contributed Papers and Invited Speaker | Sunday, May 18; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Grand Ballroom A |
| Description: In theory, at least, the more people use something, the less likely it is to be cut from the budget. The more beneficial the library service, the more secure it is. So wouldn't it be great if libraries could attract overflowing crowds? This session addresses the budget cuts challenges all libraries face. Potential solutions will be presented, as well as creative marketing and branding will also be addressed. | ||||
| Dental Section | Clinical Librarians and Evidence-Based Health Care SIG | Evidence Base: Web 2.0 for Professional and Clinical Productivity | Invited Papers | Tuesday, May 20; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Regency Ballroom A |
| Description: The lecture on the evidence base focuses on the evidence base underlying clinical practice including its content, organization and use. This year’s proposal is to bring in one or two experts on the emerging Web 2.0 technology and the ways it is being applied in health care–related educational and clinical settings to improve the productivity of professional and clinical staff. Librarians need to see how these emerging technologies can affect health care settings in the future to know how to train and supports students and staff who will be working in these settings in the future. | ||||
| Educational Media and Technologies Section | Molecular Biology and Genomics SIG; Dental Section; Outreach SIG; Nursing and Allied Health Resources Section; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Health Science Librarians SIG; Corporate Information Services Section; Clinical Librarians and Evidence-Based Health Care SIG; Relevant Issues Section | Bridging the Gap with Web 2.0: Connecting with Our Community and Ourselves | Contributed Papers | Monday, May 19; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Grand Ballroom B |
| Description: Web 2.0/3.0 is not just media hype. Social networking tools, virtual spaces, and other emerging technologies are changing the way libraries and the library’s primary clientele seek expertise, find information, and relate to each other. Many libraries are embracing these technologies to extend their services beyond their physical doors and static Websites. Librarians and library clientele use these tools daily to connect with each other beyond traditional face-to-face or teleconference meetings. Presented papers will demonstrate successes and lessons learned from implementation of Web 2.0/3.0 technologies to enhance library communication (externally or internally), extend library services, or connect with users and each other in new ways. | ||||
| Federal Libraries Section | Corporate Information Services Section, Department of Veterans Affairs Librarians SIG | Connecting with Administrators to Show the Value of Libraries and Librarians | Contributed Papers | Monday, May 19; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus GH |
| Description: Best practices showing how librarians and libraries are communicating their value, return on investment, cost benefits, etc., to their administrators will be presented. | ||||
| Federal Libraries Section | Mental Health SIG, Outreach SIG, Department of Veterans Affairs Librarians SIG | Connecting Veterans, Military Personnel, and Families to Mental Health Resources | Invited Speakers, Contributed Papers | Monday, May 19; 2:00 p.m. -3:30 p.m.; Columbus GH |
| Description: In 2005, the US Congress established the National Demonstration Program for Citizen-Soldier Support (CSSP). Citizen soldier families and veterans face numerous personal and family life challenges that severely tax their resources. Maintaining and achieving good mental health is vital for these individuals. It is important that they have access to mental health resources. This session will highlight how libraries are helping assist them in accessing mental health resources and services. | ||||
| Health Association Libraries Section | Consumer and Patient Health Information Section; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Health Science Librarians SIG; Outreach SIG | The Role of the Librarian in Health Literacy | Contributed Papers and Invited Speakers | Tuesday, May 20; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus KL |
| Description: The role librarians can play in health care transparency and health quality information and its potential impact on health literacy will be presented. | ||||
| History of the Health Sciences Section | African American Medical Librarians Alliance SIG | Opening Doors: The African American Connection in Medical Librarianship | Contributed Papers and Invited Speakers | Sunday, May 18; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Coumbus GH |
| Description: This program of contributed papers will examine the historic contributions of African Americans in the development medical librarianship through their contributions to education and professional expertise in academic and clinical settings. | ||||
| History of the Health Sciences Section | Veterinary Medical Libraries Section, Mental Health SIG | Interconnections: An Interdisciplinary Approach to Medical History | Contributed Papers and Invited Speakers | Monday, May 19; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus AB |
| Description: This session will explore ways in which human physical health has been historically impacted by collateral fields such as veterinary medicine, psychiatry/psychology, and other disciplines outside the strictly biomedical sciences. | ||||
| International Cooperation Section | Veterinary Medical Libraries Section, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Health Science Librarians, Outreach SIGs | Issues in International Librarianship: Copyright and Resources Sharing | Invited speakers | Monday, May 19; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Columbus AB |
| Description: This session will the issues of international copyright and resources sharing. It will also include a question-and-answer sesion. | ||||
| Leadership and Management Section | Hospital Libraries Section | Connecting with Leaders : What Do They Expect? | Invited Speakers | Monday, May 19; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Columbus IJ |
| Description: A panel of deans and other administrators will discuss their expectations for return on investment (ROI) for the health sciences library in their respective organizations. The focus on academic libraries will come from public and private academic institutions, both larger and smaller. | ||||
| Leadership and Management Section | Hospital Libraries Section, New Members SIG, African American Medical Librarians Alliance SIG | Connecting the Dots: Strategies for Building A Portable Career (Networking, Professional Development, Leadership, Career Building, Career Reinvention, Mentoring) and Speed Mentoring | Roundtables | Monday, May 19; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus IJ |
| Description: “Connecting the Dots” is a two-part, hands-on session. In part one, attendees will participate in roundtables on professional development and job-searching skills and techniques. Part two is a speed mentoring session, in which mentees will have ten minute meetings with two to three library administrators to review resumes and discuss professional development opportunities. | ||||
| Medical Informatics Section | Educational Media and Technologies Section | Top Technology Trends: Bridge Today, Gone Tomorrow | Invited Panel | Monday, May 19; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Columbus KL |
| Description: As a follow up to last year's standing-room-only session, technology trend spotters in health sciences libraries will offer their latest insights, opinions, and criticisms on where technology is leading us next. This energetic and sometimes irreverent panel discussion will be accompanied by a Google jockey surfing the Web and highlighting mentioned trends on the main screen. Want to jump into the mix? The session will have audience participation in a lively question-and-answer time as well as an opportunity to give feedback on the trends presented through an audience response system. | ||||
| Medical Informatics Section | Educational Media and Technologies Section, Corporate Information Services Section | Technologies in Teaching | Contributed Papers | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:40 p.m.; Regency Ballroom A |
| Description: This session will cover the multitude of ways that technologies are used in teaching (simulations, avatars, podcasts, Web 2.0, online courses, interactive DVD or web-based multimedia programs, audience response systems, etc.) for a wide range of audiences (health sciences students, residents, preclinical students, undergraduates, continuing education programs, and even library staff.) | ||||
| Medical Library Education | Only Connect: Education to Practice | Invited Speakers | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus GH | |
| Description: Relating MLA new competencies (or lifelong learning) to practice. The Invited Speaker will survey currently offered library and information science research courses. | ||||
| Medical Library Education | Research Section | Only Connect: Research to Practice | Contributed Papers and Invited Speaker | Monday, May 19; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Columbus GH |
| Description: The new MLA research policy and evidence-based library and information practice will be related through an Invited Speaker that surveys currently offered library and information science research courses at library schools. | ||||
| Nursing and Allied Health Resources Section | Hospital Libraries Section, Federal Libraries Section, Library Marketing SIG | Connecting Libraries to Organizational Mission: Using Assessment to Strengthen the Library’s Institutional Role | Invited Speakers | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Regency Ballroom B |
| Description: Assessment has always been an essential component of health care. More recently educational institutions have employed assessment methodologies to evaluate student learning, measure improvement, and benchmark programs. Libraries are increasingly taking part in assessment efforts not only in traditional library roles such as collections and services, but also in new roles such as student educational outcomes and information literacy. Assessment data can speak to the missions of our institutions, colleges, hospitals, and organizations. This program will focus on how libraries are using the assessment process to demonstrate their value in the language that administrators speak. The invited speakers will discuss relevant assessment methodologies as well how to apply them in academic and hospital settings. | ||||
| Nursing and Allied Health Resources Section | Outreach SIG, Hospital Libraries Section | Connecting Librarians, Nurses, and Accreditation/Credentialing Organizations to Improve Patient Care | Contributed Papers | Tuesday, May 20; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus EF |
| Description: Libraries serving the health professions are guided by standards and expectations defined by organizations ranging from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations to professional program accreditation and individual credentialing, as well as regional accreditation. Changes in accreditation and credential standards and guidelines represent serious challenges to libraries and can even contribute to library closings. Magnet status is another credential many hospitals are seeking, and librarians have been part of that credentialing process. Libraries, librarians, and library organizations are learning to work with accrediting and credentialing organizations to shape the standards and guidelines in ways that strengthen health care and health care education by stressing the roles that libraries and information play. Presented papers will showcase efforts to proactively shape credentialing and accreditation processes, librarian participation in credentialing and accreditation organizations, and efforts to shape institutional accreditation planning. | ||||
| Pharmacy and Drug Information Section | Medication Therapy Management | Invited Speaker | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus AB | |
| Description: What is medication therapy management (MTM)? Medications are the most common intervention in health care. It has become a critical area for advances in patient safety. According to the report from the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies in 2006, medication errors harm at least 1.5 million people every year and the extra medical costs of treating drug-related injuries occurring in hospitals alone conservatively amount to $3.5 billion a year. How can health care providers prevent the medication errors, reduce drug-related mistakes, and improve the safety of medical care? MTM has been a new model over the past two years. It is designed to enhance patients’ understanding of appropriate drug use, increase compliance with medication therapy, result in collaboration among health care providers, improve detection of adverse drug events, and optimize medication use that leads to improved patient outcomes. This session will feature an invited speaker who is an MTM expert to provide the meeting audience with an overview of MTM, discuss the benefits of MTM services in the community, and discuss its challenges and trends in the future. | ||||
| Pharmacy and Drug Information Section | Chiropractic Libraries Section, Complementary and Alternative Medicine SIG | Bridging the Communication Gap between Patients and Physicians/Practitioners | Invited Speakers | Monday, May 19; 10:30 a.m.-noon; Columbus CD |
Description: Communication barriers are developed in physician/practitioner-patient encounters. This issue has been explored for a long time, but it still has not been given a significant recognition. To provide quality care and advance treatment and patient safety, physicians/practitioners need to identify the communication barriers; find out the various methods to bridge these barriers including language, health literary, and cultural aspects; and enhance the therapeutic relationship. This session will invite a panel of two speakers to discuss their perspectives on bridging the communication barriers and share their experience and insights with the meeting audience on this issue. Speakers are:
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| Public Health/Health Administration Section | Dental Section, Health Association Libraries Section, Nursing and Allied Health Resources Section, Libraries in Curriculum SIG | The Role of Health Sciences Librarians in Applying Web 2.0 Technologies and Their Uses in Clinical and Public Health Practice and Instruction | Contributed Papers | Monday, May 19; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Grand Ballroom A |
| Description: Web 2.0 technologies offer web users the ability to design and participate in collaborative online environments that foster communication, information sharing, learning, practice, and research. These technologies include social bookmarks, wikis, podcasts, blogs, folksonomies, social search engines, mashups, and instant messaging. Health sciences librarians are actively involved in developing awareness campaigns and new curricula for health care practitioners on the uses of Web 2.0 technologies in professional practice. The Public Health/Health Administration Section and the Libraries in Curriculum Special Interest Group are partnering to organize a section program for MLA ‘08 on Web 2.0 technologies. We invite contributed papers that describe and assess the role of health sciences librarians in the design and implementation of curriculum on Web 2.0 technologies for health care practitioners. | ||||
| Public Services Section | Liaisons: Our Live Links to Users | Contributed Papers | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus IJ | |
| Description: Many institutions are creating and using liaison programs to deliver services to their clientele. How are these structured? What do liaisons do well? Are they effective? How can we tell? Papers submitted for this session, sponsored by the Public Services Section, should discuss these topics. | ||||
| Relevant Issues Section | Consumer and Patient Health Information Section, Hospital Libraries Section; Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered Health Science Librarians SIG; African American Medical Librarians Alliance SIG; Outreach SIG; Chiropractic SIG | Health Disparities: Chasm, Gap, or Bridge | Invited Speakers | Monday, May 19; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus CD |
| Description:This invited speaker program will focus on health disparities and the progress made so far. In particular, it will focus on what medical librarians and libraries can do to help. The invited speaker for this program is John Ruffin, director of the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. He is a well-respected leader and visionary in the field of health disparities. He has devoted his professional life to improving the health status of minority populations in the United States and to developing and supporting educational programs for minority researchers and health care practitioners. His success has been due in large part to his ability to motivate others and gain the support of key individuals and organizations, as well as to his expertise in strategic planning, administration, and development of numerous collaborative partnerships. | ||||
| Research Section | Developing a Research Culture in Your Organization | Invited Speakers | Sunday, May 18; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus AB | |
| Description: It is imperative for health sciences librarians to become creators and proactive users of scientific evidence for decision making and improving our libraries and information practice. It is the responsibility of many key stakeholders to foster an environment where creation and application of research-based evidence are the norm among librarians rather than the exception. This session will consist of papers by invited speakers, as well as, examples of how various stakeholders are enabling library staff to routinely apply research and assessment in decision making. Various issues will be addressed such as administrative support, training, and funding. | ||||
| Research Section | Complementary and Alternative Medicine SIG | Research Collaborations: Bridges with Impact | Contributed Papers | Monday, May 19; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus CD |
| Description: Libraries don't operate in a vacuum but must work with their institutions and various constituencies to address key issues, such as quality, accountability, and affordability. It is vital for librarians to engage partners as we devise and perform research to powerfully impact the constituents we serve and leverage our value. These "research connections" can result in producing better research, acquiring expertise, and garnering management respect. Papers for this contributed paper session will showcase successful library research collaborations. Partners include web developers, residents, grant-related committees, animal use committees, multidisciplinary teams, administrators, and rehabilitation professionals. | ||||
| Technical Services Section | Public Services Section, Collection Development Section, Leadership and Management Section | Connecting to New Roles | Contributed Papers | Tuesday, May 20; 4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.; Columbus IJ |
| Description: Staffing trends, transition of staffing responsibilities, retraining issues, learning to use new technologies, and the connection to library services will be presented. | ||||
| Technical Services Section | Veterinary Medical Libraries Section | Legal Aspects of Digitization and Documents Management | Invited Speaker | Monday, May 19; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus EF |
| Description: Legal issues, privacy issues, display rights, ownership issues, etc., will be presented. | ||||
| Veterinary Medical Libraries Section | Connecting/Bridging: Using Libraries to Serve as a Platform to Serve Individuals in Understanding Zoonotic Diseases (Diseases Transmissible between Animals and Humans) | Invited Speakers, Panel | Tuesday, May 20; 2:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.; Columbus CD | |
| Description: Libraries' role in educating individuals on public heath issues regarding zoonotic disease will be presented. | ||||
www.mlanet.org /am/am2008/sect_prog/themes.html
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