by Terri Ottosen, Consumer Health Coordinator, NN/LM, SEA Office

The National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Southeastern Atlantic Region is committed to serving the needs of its members. Toward that effort, the Consumer Health Program has established a CHollaboration resource designed for network members to share consumer health best practices. We decided to call it CHollaboration in the spirit of Consumer Health collaboration and our quest to maintain clever titles. You may have already used the LibGuides on the state pages: health literacy and electronic medical records. The Southeastern Atlantic Region is now sharing our LibGuides with the entire country and all Regions of the NN/LM. (See http://guides.nnlm.gov) If you’ve bookmarked our previous SEA Guides URL, you can continue to access our guides that way, but you can also access them with the new URL. The Chollaboration space is a specific kind of LibGuide called a CampusGuide, which enables password protection of the guide while allowing members to post and share their successful outreach projects and ideas. To directly access this guide, see http://guides.nnlm.gov/chollaboration.

Nancy Patterson, Community Outreach Coordinator, and Terri Ottosen, Consumer Health Coordinator, share the responsibilities for managing the Consumer Health Program for the Region, although each targets a different audience. Nancy primarily serves community and faith organizations, and Terri focuses on public and health sciences librarians along with the general consumer. The creation of this collaborative space is the direct result of feedback received at the Year 04 Regional Planning Meeting which also revealed a need for ready-made, “to-go” outreach materials for the many outreach leaders who have networks in place and passion for their work but lack the time to create materials. Nancy will be working on developing packaged outreach models over the next few years, the first of which will be a health ministry outreach model. Once completed, the models will be uploaded to the CHollaboration space. All members of CHollaboration are encouraged to upload their own successful outreach models as well. Together, we can create a wealth of resources to help organizations and individuals engage in the outreach required to improve the health of their communities.

Several different platforms were considered for this collaborative space, including Moodle, which is the course management system the NN/LM uses for distance education classes, a wiki, which is less than ideal considering security concerns, and other means of providing a secure, shared space. Having gained access to SpringShare’s LibGuides, it was decided to make use of the additional features of CampusGuides, which will easily allow network members to securely share best practices. This platform will also allow sharing by other Regions of the NN/LM, making it a truly cross-regional effort. Once we see how this initial collaborative space works, we will promote it and open it to other Regions in the network. We know that there are some very creative and successful projects in the consumer health field and we’d love to see these projects shared and replicated whenever possible. The collaborative space has a discussion board, so members can post questions or comments to each other, as well as a link to share websites or material locations. Currently, the following categories are tabbed in the CHollaboration space: Training, Outreach Models, Exhibits/Health Fairs, Projects, Webinars, and Websites. We also welcome suggestions for additional categories or anything you may think of that would improve the Guide. Please think of this space as yours, as we are completely open to your ideas. To view the CampusGuide CHollaboration, please visit: http://guides.nnlm.gov/chollaboration. To submit your idea, project or anything else you’d like to share, please contact Terri (tottosen@hshsl.umaryland.edu) or Nancy (npatters@hshsl.umaryland.edu) for the password. If you’ve never created or added to a LibGuide before, we’d also be happy to accept your submission and add it to the site ourselves. We are excited to see what results from our CHollaboration.

Recorded Presentation: May 9, 2012 – Beyond the SEA: Study Design and Systematic Reviews (SR)

Date:  May 9, 2012

Time:  Noon to 1:00 pm (ET)

Presenter: Mary Lou Klem, PhD, MLIS – Dr. Klem received a PhD in clinical psychology from University of Memphis in 1993, going on to complete a residency in clinical psychology at University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Jackson Mississippi VA Medical Center.  From there, she moved to the University of Pittsburgh and served as a postdoctoral fellow in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Graduate School of Public Health.  From 1999 to 2003, Dr. Klem held an appointment as an assistant professor of psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During this time period, she also completed a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences at Pitt.  In 2003, as part of a career transition from clinical psychologist to librarian, she completed a traineeship in Health Sciences Librarianship and Biomedical Informatics at Pitt’s Center for Biomedical Informatics.  Dr. Klem is currently a faculty librarian for the Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh.

Presentation: Study Design and Systematic Reviews (SR)

Systematic reviews are literature reviews that critically appraise and summarize the “best available evidence” for a clinical question or topic. While the most well-known “best evidence” is the randomized controlled trial (RCT), other study designs may also be appropriate for use in systematic reviews. This presentation provides an overview and description of two broad classes of study designs (experimental and observational), an explanation of critical differences between these two types of design, and a real-world example of the impact of such design differences on study outcomes.

Please click on the link below to hear the recorded presentation:

https://webmeeting.nih.gov/p59735852/

 ”Our greatest impact is achieved when we are flexible enough to adapt our programs to meet real, articulated needs.”

Judith Rogers
Manager, Learning Resources & Faculty Technology Services
University of the Virgin Islands
St. Thomas & St. Croix, USVI

What is your position?

Manager, Learning Resources & Faculty Technology Services – meaning: manager for University Libraries (both campuses of UVI), and faculty support for the learning environment.

Is there something in your own personal story that led you to do the work you do?

There are three major events that have led to what I do:

1. I began my affiliation with the libraries as a paraprofessional in the Greenblatt Library, Medical College of Georgia (MCG). Through this association, I became affiliated with the Medical Library Association, through which I was awarded a scholarship to complete my MLS degree. The attainment of the MLS degree equipped me to return to the U. S. Virgin Islands and take up a professional position at the University of the Virgin Islands Library (UVI) Library on St. Croix Campus
2. With my medical library experience at MCG and knowledge of the NN/LM programming, I reached out to the Juan Luis Hospital (JLH) librarian for partnership in a grant to educate health professionals throughout the Territory about Medline and other NLM resources. At the time, St. Thomas and St. John did not have access to a medical library locally. We introduced participants to Grateful Med, and successfully promoted the JLH Hospital and UVI libraries to meet some of their information needs.
3. My appointment as the UVI campus librarian opened up several opportunities to grow the library programs through closer collaboration with faculty at UVI. One such opportunity was in chairing an ad hoc committee for faculty development. Through leadership in this position, we established faculty resource centers that are still sustained today through the Libraries as Centers for Excellence in Teaching & Learning.

What do you love most about your outreach work?

I enjoy seeing participants develop an awareness of the vast resources freely available through the NLM and NN/LM SE/A. When you are immersed in the profession, it is easy to assume that information about these resources is being communicated effectively simply because announcements have been made here or there. It is so important to promote our programs actively and continuously using a wide variety of media. Otherwise, folks simply don’t get it!

What is the biggest challenge in what you do?

Developing professional staff who “buy-in” to the vision that effective promoting, teaching and program outreach is very necessary for succession planning. But, that is also our major challenge. In the environment of Internet and social media, some may feel that human interaction for outreach and communicating the value of the profession is diminished. In fact, it is even more important for ensuring that libraries get attention as dynamic entities that meet communities where they are, and provide solutions for their critical needs of daily living.

What has been the most fulfilling part of your work in terms of health outreach to your community’s underserved populations?

Outreach to Juan Luis Hospital and health professionals, including UVI faculty and students, amazingly, continues to produce dividends for the UVI library programs. The library’s strong partnership with the UVI School of Nursing actually grew out of the JLH project, and continues to be strengthened through our outreach to health professionals in the community. I believe the School of Nursing sees us as genuine partners with them in developing students to be effective and nurturing caregivers in the community

What do you see as the biggest health concerns in the communities you serve?

Asthma cases are extremely prevalent here. I’ve experienced this first hand with two members of my own family. Infants, young children and the elderly particularly are impacted. HIV-AIDS and hypertension issues are probably the second and third major concerns.

How did you first come to know NN/LM SE/A?

I learned about NN/LM SE/A as an employee at the Greenblatt Library, MCG. I became more aware of the programs through the visits of various SE/A outreach coordinators who have embraced the USVI since the early 1990’s.

In what ways has NN/LM SE/A been of help to you?

Outreach from SE/A for training and funding opportunities has been especially helpful. In 2010-11, UVI participated in another NN/LM SE/A funded project to provide training for community healthcare professionals and lay persons. In addition to the success with project participants, the activity brought an added dimension to the UVI programs through the services of an additional staff member, and promotion of the library within the community.

Can you share a success story about the impact of health outreach in your community?

In the early 1990’s I was contacted by a physician on St. Thomas as a follow-up to the health information outreach training conducted there. She became quite proficient in locating articles to support her work and used my library as a supplier for the full-text of articles. Although the St. Thomas Hospital had since established a mechanism for supporting physicians there, our relationship continued for over 10 years until she passed away a couple years ago. She often expressed that the benefit of friendly service and understanding towards her needs was worth reaching out across the water when she needed help.

What advice would you give others who are interested in doing health outreach work in their communities?

1. Ask your contacts in the community to identify their needs and look for ways to match your ideas/resources with solutions to meet those needs. Our greatest impact is achieved when we are flexible enough to adapt our programs to meet real, articulated needs.
2.  Be prepared to have back-up plans for every activity.
3. Don’t give up, even if the response is weak in the beginning. Health outreach enhances the quality of life in the community and, by association, the work that we do.

For more information, please contact Nancy Patterson (npatters@hshsl.umaryland.edu).

Date:  May 9, 2012

Time:  Noon to 1:00 pm (ET)

Presenter: Mary Lou Klem, PhD, MLIS – Dr. Klem received a PhD in clinical psychology from University of Memphis in 1993, going on to complete a residency in clinical psychology at University of Mississippi Medical Center and the Jackson Mississippi VA Medical Center.  From there, she moved to the University of Pittsburgh and served as a postdoctoral fellow in cardiovascular epidemiology at the Graduate School of Public Health.  From 1999 to 2003, Dr. Klem held an appointment as an assistant professor of psychiatry at Western Psychiatric Institute & Clinic at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. During this time period, she also completed a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences at Pitt.  In 2003, as part of a career transition from clinical psychologist to librarian, she completed a traineeship in Health Sciences Librarianship and Biomedical Informatics at Pitt’s Center for Biomedical Informatics.  Dr. Klem is currently a faculty librarian for the Health Sciences Library System, University of Pittsburgh.

Presentation: Study Design and Systematic Reviews (SR)

Systematic reviews are literature reviews that critically appraise and summarize the “best available evidence” for a clinical question or topic. While the most well-known “best evidence” is the randomized controlled trial (RCT), other study designs may also be appropriate for use in systematic reviews. This presentation provides an overview and description of two broad classes of study designs (experimental and observational), an explanation of critical differences between these two types of design, and a real-world example of the impact of such design differences on study outcomes.

How to get connected:

What do you need to join these conferences?

*   A computer (with Flash installed)

*   A telephone

How do I connect?

Go to this URL: http://webmeeting.nih.gov/beyondthesea

Enter as a Guest

Sign in with your first and last name

Follow the instructions in the meeting room to have Adobe Connect call your phone or call 1-800-605-5167 and enter the participant code 816440 when prompted.

Jan Orick
Director, Biomedical Library
St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital
Memphis, TN

How long have you been a librarian?

I received my masters in 1989 from LSU. Prior to that, I worked in libraries in high school and during my undergraduate and graduate degrees, and as a Library Assistant at the Memphis Public Library before going to library school.

How long have you been at St. Jude/in your current position?

I have been at St. Jude since 1995, Director since 1998

What made you decide to be a librarian?

I am embarrassed to tell this, but I cataloged my private book collection, including pockets, cards, and catalog cards (recipe file box), when I was 11. I guess it was my calling! I have just always worked in a library of one form or another – except for a couple of summers at Wendy’s and one summer as a file clerk for the County Courts.

What do you consider your biggest work related challenge?

Balancing what people want and what my budget allows. This is especially difficult now with electronic resources. Everyone wants instant access.

What do you consider to be the most fulfilling part of your job?

I like providing information to our users. It feels good to find the answer that helps with patient care or research.

What do you see as the biggest concerns in hospital and/or health sciences librarianship?

Electronic journals are resulting in fewer hospital libraries, as Administrators have no idea how much behind the scenes work it takes to make access seamless! The library staff has to get out of the library and go where their users are. We can no longer sit in the library and wait for people to come to us.

How did you first come to know NN/LM SE/A?

I learned about NN/LM SE/A at a Southern Chapter meeting.

In what ways has NN/LM SE/A been of help to you?

I am grateful for the assistance with Docline and the availability of classes for CE.

Will you share a success story about your library?

During National Library Week, one of our patrons was telling me how they remembered that when I was interviewed for the Director’s job, I described this vision of an electronic library! Now, 15 years later the conversion to electronic journals continues to impact our institution. Now everything is at the users’ fingertips when it is needed. This improves research and patient care, as there’s no waiting to get the information they need. There are more downloads now because we have access to more journals. We had 400 print journals; we now have 4000 online journals that we keep track of.  We converted to electronic resources so seamlessly they all think it’s free – getting rid of print was hard, but I simply didn’t have a choice. And, with the transition from print to electronic, we managed to keep all of our positions. We re-trained staff to manage electronic journals so we didn’t lose anyone.

What advice would you give others who are interested in being a hospital and/or health sciences librarian?

My advice is to not expect to stay in the library and be successful. Fighting to get people into the library, onto the library website, and away from Google is hopeless: it just won’t happen. You have to get out of the library and go where your users are. Provide access where they want it, how they wish to use it, and make it all as easy as possible for them. Be prepared to do anything: provide the services they want no matter what they are, even if it’s just making photocopies. You can’t pick and choose what you want to do, especially in medical and health sciences libraries. Also, taking on the NIH public access policy is a really good idea. People call and are thrilled I am here to help with their submissions and getting the PMC numbers and tracking the process. Provide a full service library with whatever you’re given, and you’ll be successful. I pick my battles. If it’s coming from the boss, you can’t really argue. Try to find a way to make it work for your library and your patrons.

For more information, please contact Sheila Snow-Croft – ssnowcro@hshsl.umaryland.edu

By David Midyette,  Outreach and Communications Coordinator, SE/A Region

Do you want to get the word out about NLM resources?  What about your own resources?  Exhibiting in partnership with the RML can be a great way to spread the word about PubMed, MedlinePlus, and your own services. Each year, the SE/A RML funds exhibit awards to network members for exhibiting at regional, state, and local events. This is a great opportunity to show the value of NLM and yourself as providers of quality health information.

Who can exhibit?

Libraries and library groups are the primary recipients of exhibit awards, but they are by no means the only recipients. Community organizations and faith-based organizations have also received awards to exhibit at shows and conferences all over the Southeastern U.S.. RML staff exhibit at over 20 conferences and shows a year, and by offering exhibit awards to network members, we can extend the number of people we reach and be represented at over 40 events each year. With almost 25% of the U.S. population in our region, it is important to have partners in our mission to share quality health information, and that is where region members play an important role.

What do I need?

We have pop up exhibits, table drapes, pamphlets, pens, and all of the things you need to participate. You can also print off brochures from the SE/A website (http://nnlm.gov/sea/services/promotional.html) or request informational materials (http://nnlm.gov/sea/services/promomatpol.html). Beyond that, you need the desire to share information with others.

Where should I exhibit?

Consumer health shows, community health fairs, health professional conferences, powwows, and library association meetings are all good examples of exhibit locations. The key is to be where people want to know about health information. The Southeastern states have events year round because of the warmer climates, so there are always opportunities to exhibit. Most of our awardees exhibit at single day events which makes things very manageable in terms of time commitment. There are also multiple day events which could be a great networking opportunity for several groups or a group with a larger membership.

How do I get involved?

The first step is to apply for an exhibit award (http://nnlm.gov/sea/funding/exhibit.html). We fund exhibit awards throughout the year so the deadlines are more flexible. We are just beginning a new funding cycle so the time to get involved is now. Start thinking about or looking for upcoming events in your area and take a look at the application on our website. The process is really quite simple and the online form is easy to access and complete. Also, keep in mind that we consider all kinds of exhibiting opportunities of all sizes. Our mission is to get the word out about NLM resources and help connect people to quality health information.

If you would like additional information on exhibiting or have questions, please contact David Midyette (dmidyette@hshsl.umaryland.edu).

Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) Medical Library: Forging a new library – inception, planning and open for business

 “The most fulfilling part of working with a new medical school faculty and staff is watching them take on new challenges as the school grows.”  — Frank Fajardo

Francisco (Frank) Fajardo, MA, MPA, MLIS
Access Services Supervisor
Florida International University
Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine (HWCOM) Medical Library
Miami, FL

What is your position and what was the path that led you to it?

I am the Access Services Supervisor for the HWCOM Medical Library, overseeing circulation of materials, resource sharing, the day-to-day operations for the medical library, and supervising a staff of six. I have held this position since May 2009. Since then, I have watched a new medical school grow and expand with each new class of students and faculty.

It was a former coworker who told me to apply for the position. She felt I had the necessary management skills that the job required. Of course, I had no prior library experience before accepting the job, but I loved the challenge.

Is there something in your own personal story that led you to do the work you do?

Before the HWCOM Medical Library, I worked for the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners as a Legislative Analyst. During my tenure, I analyzed proposed legislation, briefed officials on the public policy impacts to the citizenry, and provided vital budgetary information from the State of Florida’s legislators. It was a challenging job that involved countless hours of research and dedication but served as a valuable lesson in organization and management. Coming into the HWCOM Medical Library with no library experience was certainly a challenge, but I successfully turned this uncertainty into determination by earning my MLIS. I started my MLIS in Fall 2009 and recently graduated in December 2011 from Florida State University.

What do you love most about your outreach work?

I love to travel to other academic and hospital libraries in the area. It has been a joy to work closely with our local consortium libraries in providing resources to our students and faculty. It involves working with various clinical faculty and students at our hospital partner sites and making sure they have the proper resources and access to our library.

What is the biggest challenge in what you do?

The biggest challenge for me is working with many organizations within the University to make our library more accessible to our students. This involves coordinating with administrators to maintain the facility and keep it open (especially since our library is in the main University library) when the university is closed or on a shortened schedule. It is a careful designing of various schedules, staff, and communication.

What has been the most fulfilling part of your work in terms of working with the new medical school faculty and staff? 

The most fulfilling part of working with a new medical school faculty and staff is watching them take on new challenges as the school grows. Most often, my work starts when administrators and faculty require resources for their own research or provide resources to our students in the classroom. It is most fulfilling when they are able to see tangible results of our services, i.e., articles or books via interlibrary loan. I often hear the positive feedback from faculty on how fast and prompt our services are. Or hear them boast about how courteous our library staff is when helping them. This all means a job well done.

What do you see as the biggest health concerns/obstacles in the communities that the medical staff and students serve?

The biggest health concern in the communities we serve is preventative care and the lack of consumer health resources in many of the underserved neighborhoods of South Florida. Through the Green Neighborhood HELP™ program (for more information visit (http://medicine.fiu.edu/education/md/curriculum/service-learning/neighborhoodhelp/index.html), our medical students are paired with students from the College of Law, School of Social Work, Public Health, and the College of Nursing to provide services to many families in these underserved areas. It is through these cohorts that I have an understanding of what resources and information these families lack in providing proper healthcare for themselves and their children.

How did you first come to know NN/LM SE/A?

I first came to know NN/LM SE/A through the DOCLINE listserv. I was searching for a class on how to use DOCLINE and their automated interlibrary loan system. It was here where I decided to explore all that NN/ LM SE/A had to offer. I immediately bookmarked the page and discovered so much useful information about class offerings, outreach and other training opportunities.

In what ways has NN/LM SE/A been of help to you? (if applicable)

The trainings and staff have been particularly helpful. Whether it is a class on using DOCLINE or on Emergency Preparedness for our library, NN/LM SEA has always provided a wealth of information for our facility. Classes on how to use DOCLINE are particularly helpful to my staff for learning document delivery and resource sharing. Occasionally, my staff comments on how easy the DOCLINE website is so intuitive and easy to use after attending training or reading instructional materials online.

Can you share a library success story about the impact of a particular work effort that was involved in the planning or operation of the medical school?

One particular success story I am proud of is starting our interlibrary loan service from scratch. It was I and my supervisor at the time, the Head of Information and Reference Services, who helped organize our resource sharing services for the library. It was a daunting task. I had to learn the fundamentals and procedures of running an interlibrary loan service in a matter of three months before the HWCOM Medical Library opened in August of 2009. Since then, the number of requests and users has multiplied with each incoming class and faculty members. I am proud of how our patrons come to rely on the service to find vital information for research. It continues to be a popular and essential service at the HWCOM Medical Library.

What advice would you give other librarians who uniquely find themselves in the formative stages of bringing a fully accredited medical school to fruition?

My advice would be to be patient and be ready for rapid change (even for the most seasoned professional librarian). Between changes in the curriculum and college administration, your library will always be affected. Therefore, always be attentive to the needs of your students and faculty; they are the best allies to have. 

For further information, please contact P.J. Grier (pgrier@hshsl.umaryland.edu).

By Andrew Youngkin, Emerging Technologies and Evaluation Coordinator

I attended the Computers in Libraries conference, held in Washington, DC, March 20-24, 2012. The conference theme was “Creating Innovative Libraries” with a full schedule of workshops, sessions, keynote speakers, and networking events. The aim of these sessions was to discuss and explore ways in which libraries can, and have been embracing technology to support, extend, and/or strengthen library services.

My focus during the conference was to assess what new and emerging technologies were being introduced and used in library environments. This would allow me, in turn, to share this information with colleagues and with class participants planning to attend technology classes I will soon be offering. With that in mind, I attended sessions on screen-casting, social media marketing, cloud computing, QR codes, E-books, augmented reality, mobile technologies, Google+, and interactive and educational media, tools, and products. Thanks to the wide range of offerings, I walked away with many new and/or enhanced knowledge innovation technologies that libraries might consider implementing or adopting.

There were some overall impressions that I brought home:

•  There are many technologies out there—especially in regards to social media, collaboration & communication tools, and learning assessment/management.
• Not all technologies are appropriate for all libraries.
• Libraries will need to assess those technologies that are most appropriate for them and their users/patrons/learners.
• Technology should be purpose-driven and not adopted simply for the sake of adopting new technology, thus “Purpose driven, user-centered.”
• Libraries—especially public libraries (based on what I saw) are doing some really cool stuff with emerging technologies and often on dramatically reduced budgets.
• Libraries using new technologies to solve all sorts of problems and fill a variety of needs—from a cloud-based ILS, to social media marketing campaigns that rival traditional models and augmented reality programs to deliver information experiences to patrons.

It was great to not only get insight into some new technologies but also very eye opening to see the different ways libraries were able to make them work at their institutions. I look forward to integrating as much of my learning as possible into future classes and presentations. For further information, please contact Andrew at ayoungki@hshsl.umaryland.edu.

Date:  April 18th, 2012

Time:  Noon to 1:00 pm (EST)

Presenter: Janet Schneider

Bio:  Janet Schneider is recently-retired Chief of Library Service at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital in Tampa, Florida.  She was instrumental in the formation of one of the first VA patient education library programs in the nation in 1976, and has spent her professional career in promoting the librarian as an integral part of the health care team. She has worked to advance the rights of patients to access reader-appropriate evidence-based information, including their own health records, in order to make informed decisions about their health care. She has chaired the VA Library Network’s (VALNET) Consumer Health Library Panel, and has authored numerous articles and one book chapter on patient education and consumer health issues. She began a formal information therapy program in 1997, and has been involved with the Department of Veterans’ Affairs electronic patient health record program “My HealtheVet (www.myhealth.va.gov) since its inception in 2001.

Presentation:  Electronically Embedded:  Librarians and the Electronic Medical Record

Electronic medical records (EMRs) are increasingly being implemented by health care organizations and private practitioners.  The benefits to patients and health care organizations are great, providing continuity of care and patient safety through clinician access to one’s comprehensive health records. Librarians have the opportunity to provide point of care resources directly through the EMR as well as participate in information therapy services, to provide consumer health information in collaboration with the referring clinicians. A case report of how  Veterans Healthcare Administration librarians are providing services and resources through the VA’s Computerized Patient Record System (CPRS) and My HealtheVet web portal will be presented.

How to get connected:

What do you need to join these conferences?

• A computer (with Flash installed)
• A telephone

How do I connect?
Go to this URL: http://webmeeting.nih.gov/beyondthesea
Enter as a Guest
Sign in with your first and last name
Follow the instructions in the meeting room to have Adobe Connect call your phone or call 1-800-605-5167 and enter the participant code 227471 when prompted.

We’ve added 12 new books to the SE/A Professional Development Library:

• Hernon, Peter. Assessing service quality: satisfying the expectations of library customers /Peter Hernon and Ellen Altman. 2nd ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2010.
• Crawford, Walt .Open access: what you need to know now. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011.
• Kern, M. Kathleen. Virtual reference best practices: tailoring services to your library. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009.
• Barber, Peggy and Wallace, Linda. Building a buzz: libraries & word-of-mouth marketing. Chicago: American Library Association, 2010.
• The library PR handbook: high-impact communications /edited by Mark R. Gould. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009.
• Bite-sized marketing : realistic solutions for the overworked librarian /Nancy Dowd, Mary Evangeliste and Jonathan Silberman. Chicago: American Library Association, 2010.
• Landau, Herbert B. Winning library grants: a game plan. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011.
• Kane, Laura Townsend. Working in the virtual stacks :the new library & information science. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011.
• Pre- & post- retirement tips for librarians /edited by Carol Smallwood. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012.
• Doucett, Elisabeth. Creating your library brand: communicating your relevance and value to your patrons. Chicago: American Library Association, 2008.
• Harris, Lesley Ellen. Licensing digital content: a practical guide for librarians. 2nd ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2009.
• The ALA book of library grant money /edited by Ann Kepler. 8th ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 2012. (2 copies available)

As always, borrowing these books is free. For instruction on borrowing these items and a list of all titles, please visit our Professional Development Library page at: http://nnlm.gov/sea/services/professionaldevelopmentlibrary.html