In Spring 2007, in order to better understand the assets, strengths and needs of our member organizations, the RML conducted a network member assessment via a web-based questionnaire. SurveyMonkey was used to collect responses. Two hundred and four (204) library members were eligible to participate and 142 questionnaires were returned, making for a 70% response rate. Library respondents included health sciences, academic (non-health sciences), public, government, corporate and other libraries.

The NN/LM PNR would like to thank all the network member libraries that participated in the assessment and contributed to the information that was collected. Over the next years of our contract your responses will help the RML shape and improve NN/LM PNR services. Also, responses will provide baseline data for evaluating the effectiveness of our program during our current 5-year contract with the National Library of Medicine.

A full analysis and report will be made available soon. Evaluation consultant, Dr. Cynthia Olney, of the Outreach Evaluation and Resource Center, is finalizing it.

In the meantime, here are some interesting highlights from sections of the report: (more…)

EFTS, the Electronic Fund Transfer System used to debit and credit member accounts for the cost of interlibrary loans, was started in 1996 and currently has over 1200 participants.  There are now EFTS libraries in each of the 50 states, Canada, and Mexico.  In developing the service over the past 12 years, EFTS staff has had the opportunity to listen to many librarians who have raised questions, issue and concerns regarding EFTS.  Here are some of the more frequent questions and answers: (more…)

The Pacific Northwest Region is excited to welcome five new members to the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. Read on for more details. (more…)

New professional development opportunities for NN/LM PNR Network members. To borrow, please send email to: nnlm@u.washington.edu. To view the entire collection, please see the NN/LM PNR Lending Library web page.

	Medical Librarians 2.0: Use of Web 2.0 Technologies in References Services. Edited by M. Sandra Wood. Haworth Press, 2007.

	Teaching Web Search Skills: Techniques and Strategies of Top Trainers. Greg R. Notess, Information Today, 2007.

The NN/LM offers many resources you can use when showing healthcare professionals or the public how to access good health information. Recently some of the brochures have been revised. Below is information on how to access three updated resources. By the way, a new feature: you can customize many of the trifold brochures by adding your organization’s information in the space provided on the back! Be sure and go to http://nnlm.gov/training/pamphlets.html to see all of the pamphlets and brochures available. (more…)