NLM Information Resource Grants to Reduce Health Disparities (G08)

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) solicits resource grant applications for projects that will bring useful, usable health information to health disparity populations and the health care providers who care for those populations. Access to useful, usable, understandable health information is an important factor during health decisions. Proposed projects should exploit the capabilities of computer and information technology and health sciences libraries to bring health-related information to consumers and their health care providers. Preference will be given to applications that show strong involvement of health science libraries. Institutions with demonstrated commitment to the needs of health disparity communities (including Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI) and other institutions in rural and socially disadvantaged areas) are encouraged to apply.  http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-LM-12-001.html  /ch

Help the RML determine the value of our region’s libraries to their institutions!  Go to http://nnlm.gov/mcr/advocacy/#A2 and enter your library’s data into the Library Valuation Calculators.  Be sure to give us your name and any stories you might have about how you used this data to advocate for your library.  We will have a special Advocacy session later this year to highlight how you have used the calculators to promote the value of your library. (bbj)

How would you describe your health information literacy practice?  Do you work with patients and families helping them find good health information?  Have you implemented an Information Rx program in your hospital?  Are you working with your hospital translation staff to provide quality information?  These are only three of the ways you might be involved in health information literacy.  We want to hear from you.  What are you doing to promote health information literacy? Contact your State Coordinator with your stories!  (bbj)

Want to learn something, share something?  How about a Professional Development Award?  There is still time!  And there are still funds available for you to use before  April 31, 2012  Funding is available for up to $1500 for travel costs/conference registration.   Learn more and apply at:  http://nnlm.gov/mcr/funding/  (mm)

The March 2012 issue of the Plains to Peaks Post, newsletter of the NN/LM MidContinental Region is now available at: http://nnlm.gov/mcr/p2pp/category/march-2012/

In This Issue:

• Low Down on the iTest iPad Project
• NN/LM MCR on Facebook and Twitter
• Best Practices & DOCLINE
• Whooo Says
• We Want to Hear From YOU!
• Who’s Doing What in the RML
• Introducing Monica Rogers
• Refugee Health Resources
• Professional Development in Mindfulness
• Downloadable E-books

Are you interested in improving the health information literacy of your organization? The Institute for Healthcare Advancement (IHA) invites you to attend the  Eleventh Annual Health Literacy Conference, “Operational Solutions to Low Health Literacy,” May 9-11, 2012, at the Hyatt Regency, Irvine (near Orange County/John Wayne airport). MLA credit is offered for attending. There is even a special discount for librarians! Use discount code MLA12 when you register here, and save $50 off the regular low registration rate.   Register early to get this special rate –early registration deadline is on or before April 11^th.

Questions? Visit the conference website, send an email to mvillaire@iha4health.org or call (562) 690-4001, ext. 202 for more information.

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) recognizes that members have a role to play in health literacy and encourages you to attend this conference.   The NN/LM and the Medical Library Association will be hosting an exhibit table at the conference to help inform attendees how librarians can support improved health literacy.

WISER for iPhone/iPod touch 2.0

The second release for WISER for iPhone/iPod touch is now available.  Investigate what’s new in this updated release:

WISER’s Help Identify Chemical capability is now available on the iOS platform. Identify and validate an unknown chemical based on the following criteria:

• physical properties of the substance gathered by observation or sensors
• signs and symptoms of victims of exposure
• the ability to categorize a substance, such as a substance used in a meth lab or a flammable substance
• hazard values from NFPA 704 placards
• transportation identification, including DOT placards, type of road trailer, and type of rail car
• Use WISER’s protective distance mapping feature on your iPhone or iPod touch. Visualize the areas likely to be affected during the first 30 minutes after a substance is spilled or released on a live map. The Department of Transportation’s Emergency Response Guidebook is the source of WISER’s protective distance data.

WISER for iPhone/iPod touch can be downloaded and installed directly from the Apple App Store:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wiser-for-iphone-ipod-touch/id375185381?mt=8

Reviews are always appreciated.  If you’d like to let us know what you think of the latest WISER enhancements, please consider leaving a comment on the App store. You can read more about our privacy policy on Third-Party Web Sites and Applications at http://www.nlm.nih.gov/privacy.html when reviewing WISER on the iTunes App Store.

WebWISER Update

WebWISER has been updated to include protective distance mapping.  Visualize a protective distance map directly within your web browser.

Coming Soon

Look for these exciting additions in the coming months:

• Universal iOS (iPad) support
• WISER for Android 2.0, which adds Help Identify Chemical and protective distance mapping to this popular platform

Dan Wilson, Coordinator, NN/LM Emergency Preparedness & Response Initiative will present “10-Step Approach to Service Continuity Planning” This webinar is FREE and is a step-by-step approach to how a library can continue to provide its core resources and services to patrons in the event of a disaster or any kind of service disruption. Time: 1:00 pm MT, 2:00 pm CT

Place:https://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcr
Equipment: Computer, Internet connection and phone.
Just login as a “Guest” to enter the room. The system should automatically call your phone. Captioning will be provided.

Contact: Jim Honour, jhonour@uwyo.edu or call 1-800-338-7657 opts. 1,2, 8 (within the region.) [jh]

Working with minority populations?  Ever wish there were resources that were specific to a minority population?  This Spotlight! session will highlight minority health resources so you can use tools tailored for minority health needs.   Taking the one-hour class and completing the exercises and class evaluation makes you eligible to receive 1 Medical Library Association Continuing Education credit. This online training is FREE. Register online at http://tinyurl.com/mcrclasses

URL: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcr/ Equipment: connection to the Internet and a phone,  Login: as a guest with your first and last name. Instructions to connect to the audio will show up once you’ve logged in. Captioning will be provided.  Questions to mmagee@unmc.edu. (mm)

Updates from : 1) Jim Honour, Wyoming and Membership Coordinator AND  2) John Bramble, Technology Coordinator – to support the recent launch of the iTest iPad project, will introduce guest Peter Jones, Public Services Associate for the Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library.  According to John Bramble, “Peter is a high level iPad expert and aficionado and would be fantastic at sharing his knowledge on iPads …”  Peter’s other interests include educational technology, online delivery of library services and the use of mobile technology in medical education. Peter will review some of his favorite productive and medical apps.

URL: https://webmeeting.nih.gov/mcr/ Equipment: connection to the Internet and a phone, Login: as a guest with your first and last name. Instructions to connect to the audio will show up once you’ve logged in. Captioning will be provided a few minutes before the hour. Questions to mmagee@unmc.edu. (mm)