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).

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

SE/A Funding Opportunities Now Available

We are pleased to announce the availability of NN/LM SE/A award applications for the 2012-2013 year. The following RFPs and CFAs are now available on our website. Funding for these awards will begin May 1, 2012; however, the SE/A budget for 2012-2013 has yet to be determined, and all funding is dependent upon availability.

• Outreach to Health Professionals and Consumer Health Outreach Project
• Disaster Recovery Award
• Express Hospital Library Promotion Award
• Express Library Technology Improvement Award
• Express Training Award
• Express Library Digitization and Conservation Award
• Express Outreach Pilot Project Award
• Health Literacy Pilot Project Award
• Express Planning and Assessment Award
• Express Outreach Follow-up Award
• State and Regional Exhibiting Award
• Information Technology and Policy Awareness Award
• Express Mobile Technology Project Award

The due date for all applications (except exhibit, training, and disaster recovery awards, which will be awarded until allotted funds are spent) is March 9, 2012, close of business. All proposed projects must be completed by April 30, 2013.

In the meantime, anyone who anticipates applying for an Outreach to Health Professionals Project or Consumer Health Outreach Project should email J. Dale Prince (dprince@hshsl.umaryland.edu) with initial intent and estimated budget within the next two weeks (no later than Wednesday, February 17, 2012).

NN/LM SE/A award descriptions and applications are available at: http://nnlm.gov/sea/funding.

Model Practices applications are underway. You, too, can be a winner!

You and your local health department can be a winner. NACCHO is now accepting model practice applications Oct. 10 through Nov. 11.

NACCHO’s Model Practice Program nationally honors and recognizes outstanding local public health practice and shares the outstanding practices through the Model Practices Database. By submitting a practice, LHDs contribute to the overall improvement of public health through evidence-based practice methods.

Five Reasons to Apply

1.             Recognition for your LHD’s success and leading by example.

2.             Local and national recognition through press release templates and a spotlight in the 2012 fall issue of NACCHO Exchange.

3.             A listing in NACCHO’s online Model Practices Database.

4.             Receive a coveted award and public honors, and showcase a poster of your practice at the Model Practices Reception during the 2012 NACCHO Annual Conference.

5.             Be eligible to receive a stipend to attend the 2012 NACCHO Annual conference in Los Angeles, July 11-13. (The opportunity for a stipend is only available to dues paying members)

LHDs can submit a Model Practices application by logging into the NACCHO website at http://www.naccho.org and selecting NACCHO applications.  For more information about the Model Practices program, please visit www.naccho.org/topics/modelpractices or contact the Model Practices team at practices@naccho.org or 202-507-4250.

We look forward to receiving your application.

NACCHO Model Practices Team

The MLA Research, Development, and Demonstration Project Grant is awarded annually to support projects that will promote excellence in the field of health sciences librarianship and information sciences.

Grants will not be given to support an activity that is operational in nature or has only local usefulness. Grants range up to $1,000 and more than one grant may be awarded in a year.  The deadline for applications is December 1, 2011. For questions, contact Ellie Bushhousen, Jury Chair, at ellieb@ufl.edu.