Staff Bio

Bobbi L. Newman, MLIS, MA

Community Engagement and Outreach Manager, Region 6

She/Her pronouns 

Bobbi Newman serves at the University of Iowa Libraries in Region 6 of the Network of the National Library of Medicine. Her Senior Librarian and Wellness Ambassador roles involve leading instructional design, managing national projects, and providing leadership in initiatives that fulfill community health information needs through dynamic education and outreach programs.

Bobbi has coordinated impactful outreach initiatives, including managing large-scale national symposia that have attracted thousands of attendees. She successfully directed the 2023 Virtual Health Misinformation Symposium and the 2021 Symposium on Library Staff Health and Wellness, each with over 3,000 participants. Her effective collaboration with key groups such as the American Library Association, Public Library Association, and Association of Small and Rural Libraries has been crucial in managing grants and strengthening library partnerships.

In her instructional design work, Bobbi has developed and led numerous courses for the NNLM, aimed at enhancing library services and public health knowledge. Notable among her contributions are the courses "Wellness in the Library Workplace" and "Stand Up for Health, Health and Wellness Services for Your Community" both of which are now retired, reflecting the dynamic evolution of educational offerings. Her work also includes "Bridging the Digital Health Divide," available in both in-person and virtual formats. Additionally, she co-developed the "Exploring Complementary and Integrative Health" online course and the comprehensive "Beyond an Apple a Day" course, offered in multiple formats. Bobbi also co-launched the successful Book Discussion series and led a significant partnership with Public Libraries Online. Her thorough and progressive educational strategies underscore her dedication to advancing library and community health literacy.

Classes I Teach

Event Title Summary
Exploring Complementary and Integrative Health: Information, Resources, and Evaluation This class will explore the definitions of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH), encompassing both Eastern and Western medicine perspectives. We will delve into various approaches to CIH, discussing their associated risks and benefits. We will also equip you with strategies to help your users discern trustworthy CIH information and avoid fraudulent claims.
Exploring Complementary and Integrative Health: Information, Resources, and Evaluation This class will explore the definitions of Complementary and Integrative Health (CIH), encompassing both Eastern and Western medicine perspectives. We will delve into various approaches to CIH, discussing their associated risks and benefits. We will also equip you with strategies to help your users discern trustworthy CIH information and avoid fraudulent claims.
Fatness and libraries: Amplifying the Voices of Fat Librarians in DEIA work, A Region 6 Spotlight Speaker Join us for a one-hour webinar with Meg Galasso as she delves into the important topics of weight discrimination, fat representation, and anti-fatness in the library profession. Drawing from comprehensive interviews with public-facing librarians across different library types, including public, school, academic, and special libraries, this webinar will provide valuable insights into the experiences and perspectives of these professionals. Gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities surrounding these
Fostering Connection: Addressing Library Employee Loneliness, a Region 6 Spotlight Speaker Webinar Join guest speaker Alejandro Marquez (he/him) to learn about loneliness among library staff and practical strategies to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace environment.
From Contraception to Menopause: Identifying and Addressing Reproductive Health Misinformation Reliable information about reproductive health has never been more important. However, taboos, legal restrictions, and a dearth of women's health research have enabled misinformation to flourish, with dire implications for health outcomes. This talk will provide an overview of the prevalence, characteristics, and impacts of reproductive health misinformation.
Holding Space to Discuss a Complicated Past: Exploring Medical Libraries’ Role in Perpetuating Racial Science, A Region 6 Spotlight Speaker Webinar Join Raymond Pun, Nicollette Davis, and Patrice R. Green for a webinar presentation based on their recent commentary in the Journal of Medical Library Association (JMLA) titled "Medical Libraries and Their Complicated Past: An Exploration of the Historical Connections Between Medical Collections and Racial Science." The presentation will explore the historical ties between medical libraries and racial science, focusing on empire-building. Attendees, particularly those involved in library instruction, will gain valuable insights into how medical sciences and collections have been influenced by racial science discourse, which continues to impact today's medical practices for patients who identify as Black, Indigenous, or persons of color.
NNLM Book Discussion, Aug 14 - Oct 31: The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness by Meghan O'Rourke Join us August 14 - October 31 to discussion "The Invisible Kingdom: Reimagining Chronic Illness" by Meghan O'Rourke
NNLM Book Discussion, May 2 - July 31, Doing Harm You are invited to join us for the first NNLM Book Discussion. From May 1 until July 31, join your fellow librarians and read Doing Harm: The Truth About How Bad Medicine and Lazy Science Leave Women Dismissed, Misdiagnosed, and Sick by Maya Dusenbery! 
NNLM Book Discussion: "You Just Need to Lose Weight" And 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon, August 1, 2024 – October 31, 2024 Join us August 1 – October 31, 2024, to discuss the book "You Just Need to Lose Weight" And 19 Other Myths About Fat People by Aubrey Gordon.
NNLM National Virtual Health Misinformation Symposium This free virtual symposium will explore both the research behind health misinformation movements and provide practical and evidence-based solutions to support librarians, health educators, and direct care providers in combating the spread of all types of health misinformation.

Contact Information