Check out the great variety of ways that libraries in NY, NJ and CT responded to Superstorm/Hurricane Sandy.

Immediately after Sandy, the Disaster Information Management Research Center (DIMRC) at NLM started collecting Sandy news stories, yielding an unprecedented number of stories about post-storm services.  As we all know, there were also libraries that were badly damaged and thus couldn’t provide services, but certainly would have done so if feasible. The damaged libraries have different stories to tell as they face the challenges of rebuilding.

These items are part of a much longer bibliography of publications about disaster-related activities by libraries and library staff.  Please look for your name and your library and let us know what is missing.

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• From Librarians and Libraries Respond to Disasters:  Bibliography on Library Roles in Disaster Preparedness, Response, and Recovery:  http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov/dimrc/bibliographydisaster.html
• Allison M.  Superstorm Sandy diary:  the mobile library at Peninsula.  Queens Library’s Blog [Internet].  8 Mar 2013.  Available from: http://www.queenslibrary.org/blog/superstorm-sandy-diary-the-mobile-library-at-peninsula

• Bayliss S. Libraries respond to Hurricane Sandy, offering refuge, wifi, and services to needy communities.  School Library Journal.  [Internet].  2012 Nov 1.  Available from: http://www.slj.com/2012/11/featured/libraries-respond-to-hurricane-sandy-offering-refuge-wifi-and-services-to-needy-communities/#_
• Bayliss S.  New York City libraries relatively unscathed; New Jersey still taking stock. L ibrary Journal [Internet].  2012 Nov 1.  Available from: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2012/11/industry-news/new-york-city-libraries-relatively-unscathed-new-jersey-still-taking-stock/
• Dar M.  In Sandy’s aftermath, school librarians support patrons, communities, and one another.  School Library Journal.  [Internet].  2012 Nov 5.  Available from: http://www.slj.com/2012/11/librarians/in-sandys-aftermath-school-librarians-support-patrons-communities-and-each-other/
• Drewes J.  To Protect and preserve.  American Libraries [Internet].  22 Apr 2013.  Available from: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/04222013/protect-and-preserve
• Eberhart G.  Libraries weather the superstorm.  American Libraries. [Internet].  2012 Nov 4. Available from: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/11042012/libraries-weather-superstorm
• Eberhart G.  Reports still coming in on library flooding from Hurricane Sandy.  American Libraries. [Internet].  2012 Oct 31.  Available from: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/news/10312012/reports-still-coming-library-flooding-hurricane-sandy
• Fanwood Library shines as community hub during Hurricane Sandy.  Suburban News. [Internet]. 2012 Nov 8.  Available from: http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/index.ssf/2012/11/fanwood_library_shines_as_comm.html
• Holman T.  Lodi Library a haven for people after the storm.  NorthJersey.com. [Internet].  2012 Nov 15.  Available from: http://www.northjersey.com/news/179423051_Lodi_Library_a_haven_for_people_after_the_storm.html
• Hunterdon libraries take up slack after Hurricane Sandy victims lose home internet and Wi-Fi.  Hunterdon County Democrat Hunterdon County Democrat. [Internet].  2012 Nov 1.  Available from: http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2012/11/hunterdon_libraries_take_up_sl.html
• Hurricane Sandy:  Somerset County libraries open as warming, recharging and information spots.  The Messenger Gazette. [Internet].  2012 Nov 5.  Available from: http://www.nj.com/messenger-gazette/index.ssf/2012/11/hurricane_sandy_somerset_county_libraries_open_as_warming_recharging_and_information_spots.html
• Klapperstuck K, Quinn S, Burnash E, Quinn T.  State librarian podcast, November 13, 2012 – Hurricane Sandy.  New Jersey State Library. [Internet].  2012 Nov 15.  Available from: http://www.njstatelib.org/news/2012/nov/15/state_librarian_podcast_november_13_2012_hurricane_sandy
• Kramer S.  Greenburgh Residents seek refuge from Sandy at library.  The Daily Voice [Internet]. 2012 Oct 30.  Available from: http://greenburgh.dailyvoice.com/news/greenburgh-residents-seek-refuge-sandy-library&lang=en
• Leue R.  Libraries are quick & creative in their community outreach post-Hurricane Sandy. Insight&Outlook [Internet].  8 Nov 2012.  Available from: http://www.wolper.com/2012/11/libraries-and-community-outreach-post-hurricane-sandy/
• Maynard-Parisi C.  Since Sandy, Maplewood library is booming.  Maplewood Patch. [Internet]. 2012 Oct 31.  Available from: http://maplewood.patch.com/articles/since-sandy-maplewood-library-is-booming
• Orel G.  The Montclair Public Library was a ‘clean, well-lighted place’ during the storm. The Montclair Times. [Internet].  2012 Nov 20.  Available from: http://www.northjersey.com/news/180238311_The_Montclair_Public_Library_was_a__clean__well-lighted_place__during_the_storm.html?c=y&page=1
• Piccoli K.  West Islip Public Library open, offering charging stations and wifi.  West lslip Patch [Internet]. 2012 Oct 31.  Available from: http://westislip.patch.com/groups/around-town/p/west-islip-public-library-open-offering-charging-stat38f80c3a84
• Porter D.  Hurricane Sandy revealed some huge problems tech founders need to start solving. Business Insider. [Internet].  2012 Nov 5.  Available from: http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-sandy-reveals-new-startup-opportunities-2012-11
• Queens Library staff members.  The library as lifeline: getting past Superstorm Sandy.  American Libraries [Internet]. 2012 Dec 28.  Available from: http://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/features/12282012/library-lifeline-getting-past-superstorm-sandy
• Red Hook library reopens after Superstorm Sandy. Brooklyn Daily Eagle [Internet].  4 April 2013.  Available from: http://www.brooklyneagle.com/articles/red-hook-library-reopens-after-superstorm-sandy-2013-04-04-212100
• Register Staff.  Greater New Haven libraries completely booked with residents looking for internet, electricity.  New Haven Register [Internet]. 2012 Oct 31.  Available from: http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2012/10/31/news/doc5091cd2e8282d049348096.txt?viewmode=fullstory
• Samtani H.  In Sandy’s wake, library systems help city keep students connected.  School Library Journal: Extra Helping. [Internet]. 2012 Dec 1.  Available from: http://www.slj.com/2012/12/public-libraries/in-sandys-wake-library-systems-help-city-keep-students-connected/
• Schwartz M.  Urban Librarians Unite plants mini libraries, plans conference. [Internet].  Library Journal. 13 Feb 2013.  Available: http://lj.libraryjournal.com/2013/02/advocacy/urban-librarians-unite-plants-mini-libraries-plans-conference/
• Spear L.  Kids book it to the Westwood library after Hurricane Sandy. NorthJersey.com. [Internet]. 2012 Nov 2.  Available from: http://www.northjersey.com/news/176999661_Kids_book_it_to_the_Westwood_Library_after_Hurricane_Sandy.html?page=all
• State library partners with publisher to help Hurricane Sandy victims tackle ‘do-it-yourself ‘ repairs safely.  Lawrenceville Patch [Internet]. 29 Nov 2012.  Available from: http://lawrenceville.patch.com/articles/state-library-partners-with-online-publisher-to-help-hurricane-victims-tackle-do-it-yourself-repairs-easily-and-safely
• Yee V.  Despite ruin, library offers books and community.  New York Times [Internet]. 2012 Nov 26.  Available from: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/26/nyregion/after-storm-destruction-rockaway-libraries-help-keep-community-afloat.html?hpw&_r=2&
• Zavalick C.  Bernardsville Library serves as multi-purpose center.  The Bernardsville News [Internet]. 2012 Nov 9.  Available from: http://newjerseyhills.com/bernardsville_news/news/bernardsville-library-serves-as-multi-purpose-center/article_a8faeaf8-29b6-11e2-bc59-001a4bcf887a.html

Submitted by Cindy Love
Disaster Information Management Research Center
Specialized Information Services Division
National Library of Medicine
National Institutes of Health
Bethesda, MD 20892-5467
cindy_love@nlm.nih.gov
http://disasterinfo.nlm.nih.gov

The May Grey Literature Report has been published.

You can find it at: http://www.greylit.org/reports/current<http://support.nyam.org/site/R?i=dos6mkjodfH3K7sXrZsqow>.

This report’s main focus is on the Affordable Care Act, with a secondary focus on Gun Violence and Child Nutrition.

We look forward to any comments and questions you may have about the new Grey Literature Report. Please contact us: greylithelp@nyam.org<mailto:greylithelp@nyam.org>.

We hope you will find the report and database useful!

The Grey Literature Team
greylithelp@nyam.org<mailto:greylithelp@nyam.org>
www.greylit.org.

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

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine South Central Region (NN/LM SCR) recently completed a video highlighting the role of public libraries after an emergency.  The goal was for public librarians to show to first-responder groups, city councils, local government, etc. to promote the role public libraries play.  Many groups are not aware of all public libraries can and already do for the community and first responders and libraries have indicated that a video would be the best method to communicate this message.  Preliminary feedback from public libraries in our Region (AR, LA, NM, OK, TX) has been very positive.

The video is available at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZUEChxl74g.  Feel free to share with anyone who may be interested.

Michelle Malizia

Associate Director

NN/LM SCR

The Science of Safety in Healthcare offered by the Johns Hopkins University via “Coursera.org.”

Date: June 3–July 1, 2013.
This free online course will review basic principles of the science and culture of safety in healthcare. Taught by Dr. Peter Provost, “champion of patient safety” and a practicing critical care physicians and Cheryl Dennison Himmelfarb, Associate Professor, Johns Hopkins University.
The goals for this course are:

To provide definitions and context of patient safety concepts and terms using a systems approach.

Explore foundation-level content in the science of safety, patient safety culture, teamwork, patient-centered care, and leading change.

Introduce students to strategies for identifying and mitigating risks through the use of human factors science and quality improvement methods.

Learn about the importance of using data to guide their change efforts, and about the use of the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP)

The content of this course has been adapted from the intensive five-day Patient Safety Certificate Program offered by the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality as well as the Helene Fuld Fellows Program undergraduate course content from the Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing.

Register:  https://www.coursera.org/course/healthcaresafety

Judith Weiner Mills, AHIP, MLIS, MS
Knowledge Manager Librarian
NCNMLG President
Tel:(408)-627-0870

The web adaptation of the traveling exhibition, “A Voyage to Health,” is now online! “A Voyage to Health” explores how the revival of Native Hawaiian sea voyaging traditions spurred on a cultural renaissance and helped heal the soul of the community. The website is augmented by education resources, including K-12 lesson plans, higher education modules, online activities, and more. To visit “A Voyage to Health” online, follow the link: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/avoyagetohealth/

Check out the May issue of NIH News in Health, the monthly newsletter bringing you practical health news and tips based on the latest NIH research. In this edition:

A Bang to the Brain
What We Know About Concussions
Concussions are a type of mild brain injury, but they need to be taken seriously. Learn to recognize the causes and symptoms of concussion, and take steps to prevent head injuries.

On Sound Footing
The Health of Your Feet
Your feet are pretty small, considering they have to support the entire height and weight of your body. But they can cause big problems. So take steps to keep your feet healthy!

Health Capsules:

• Ex-Smokers Gain Health Benefits Despite Added Pounds
• Allergies and Complementary Medicine
• Featured Website: NIH BRAIN Initiative

Click here to download a PDF version for printing.

Visit our Facebook page to suggest topics you’d like us to cover, or let us know what you find helpful about the newsletter. We want to hear what you think!

Please pass the word on to your colleagues about NIH News in Health. We are happy to send a limited number of print copies free of charge for display in offices, libraries or clinics. Just email us or call 301-435-7489 for more information.

All MAR staff are attending MLA in Boston as we speak.  So we ask your patience while we’re out of the office.  We hope that if you’re attending MLA, we encourage you to drop by to visit us at one of our presentations or posters.  We’d love to see you!

Free Printed Summaries of AHRQ’s “Closing the Quality Gap” Evidence Report Series Available

The federal government’s Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) has developed a free resource to help health care providers learn more about the evidence supporting eight quality improvement strategies. “Closing the Quality Gap: Revisiting the State of the Science” offers Executive Summaries of eight evidence reports that focus on various aspects of health care quality. AHRQ’s evidence reports offer an unbiased analysis of available research on specific health care topics. The individual reports are:

• “Bundled Payment: Effects on Health Care Spending and Quality” 12-E007-1
• “The Patient-Centered Medical Home” 12-E008-1
• “Quality Improvement Interventions to Address Health Disparities” 12-E009-1
• “Medication Adherence Interventions: Comparative Effectiveness” 12-E010-1
• “Public Reporting as a Quality Improvement Strategy” 12-E011-1
• “Prevention of Healthcare–Associated Infections” 12(13)-E012-1
• “Quality Improvement Measurement of Outcomes for People With Disabilities” 12(13)-E013-1
• “Improving Health Care and Palliative Care for Advanced and Serious Illness” 12(13)-E014-1

To order the set, request publication OM 13-0014 from the AHRQ Publications Clearinghouse at 1-800-358-9295 or ahrqpubs@ahrq.gov.

To order individual reports, please order by title and publication number:

For online copies, go to http://www.ahrq.gov/research/findings/evidence-based-reports/.

NLM’s spring lecture series continues. The fourth lecture is coming up on Monday, April 29th from 3:30-5:00 pm.  Dr. Brad Hesse, Chief of the Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch at the National Cancer Institute, will be joining us on the NIH campus in the Natcher Conference Center, Balcony B.  The title of his talk is: “Quantifying the Health Information Revolution: Triangulation in an Era of Big Data.”

More information about Dr. Hesse can be found at: http://staffprofiles.cancer.gov/brp/prgmStaffProfile.do?contactId=1546&bioType=stf

This event will be videocast live and archived at:  http://videocast.nih.gov.

Thank you to Dr. Andrew Pleasant for the exciting lecture he gave on April 10^th.  If you missed any of the first three lectures, they are available under “Past Events” on videocast.nih.gov.  Past lectures are listed by date (starting with the most recent).

Background

There are more and increasingly diverse ways for health information to reach the public. The interest among Americans to receive health information also remains high compared to most other topics. To maximize the impact of health information on the nation’s well-being and empower consumers, communicators need to know whether their messages are reaching the right audience, whether the information is understood, and whether the materials make a difference in decision-making and health outcomes. As a result, evaluation is an integral and crucial part of health communication.

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) will host a spring lecture series to highlight innovative approaches and best practices in evaluating health communication. As the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and NLM diversify their use of mass communication channels to dispatch health information, a fresh consideration of evaluation’s cutting edge is timely and important.

NLM and NIH employees are encouraged to attend this series, as are members of the public, other governmental agencies, as well as faculty and students from area universities. The lectures will feature discussion and participation by audience members.

Lecture 4 – April 29^th, 3:30-5:00 pm, Balcony B, Natcher Building 45, National Institutes of Health

“Quantifying the Health Information Revolution: Triangulation in an Era of Big Data.”

Brad Hesse, Ph.D., Chief, Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch, National Cancer Institute (NCI). Dr. Hesse directs several of NCI’s cancer communication research initiatives, including the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) and the Centers of Excellence in Cancer Communication (CECCR).

Gary Kreps, Ph.D., discussant