GMR Preparedness and Response
National Network of Libraries of Medicine
Greater Midwest Region
Hardin Library for the Health Sciences600 Newton Road
Iowa City, IA 52242
GMR contact: Jacqueline Leskovec, Network Librarian
Libraries as Recovery Centers: a free CE opportunity from the GMR
Are you interested in an amazing opportunity to learn to work with librarians, first responders, health professionals, and the public in emergencies for free?
The Midwest Chapter of the Medical Library Association (MLA) invites you to attend special training in the field of disaster information and planning at the joint WHSLA*, SWHSL*, and Midwest Chapter MLA Annual Meeting in Milwaukee, WI, on 05 October, 2019. These courses support libraries as recovery centers in their communities. In the morning session, you will learn how your organization can play an important role in making your community more resilient to disasters such as floods, tornadoes, civil unrest, and extreme temperatures. Participants in the afternoon session will develop a disaster response plan with specific actions to put the plan into practice. Attendees are not required to be members of Midwest Chapter MLA, WHSLA, or SWHSL and may attend either or both sessions.
The National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) Greater Midwest Region (GMR) is sponsoring local public librarians, emergency planners and/or responders to attend the training for free. By attending both the morning and afternoon sessions and working independently to complete the free online required training, participants will be eligible to earn the MLA Disaster Information Specialist designation, sponsored by the GMR.
Applicants may select one or both of the following classes:
- Libraries as a Disaster Recovery Resource: How to Make a Difference
- Libraries as a Disaster Recovery Resource: Take Action
The registration fee for one or both of the in-person disaster preparedness classes at Midwest MLA 2019 will be provided by the GMR as a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to local public librarians, first responders, or public health professionals. Only the cost of the sessions for eligible participants will be sponsored--not registration for the conference or travel/lodging costs. Applications must be received by 30 August 2019.
How to Apply
Please complete this form, and we will notify you of acceptance and further instructions for registration.
For more details about the conference, see Midwest Chapter/MLA, WHSLA, AND SWHSL 2019 Annual Meeting.
Contact Jacqueline Leskovec for more information: jacqueline-leskovec@uiowa.edu
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* Wisconsin Health Science Library Association (WHSLA) and the Southeastern Wisconsin Health Science Library Consortium (SWHSL).
Are You Prepared?
NNLM GMR provides assistance to our members in preparing for, and responding to, disasters or localized emergencies. GMR staff are available to assist with emergency preparedness and response activities, from risk assessment to training and developing a disaster plan.
This guide serves as an online collection of resources and tools that are relevant to disaster and emergency preparedness. If you would like to learn more about emergency preparedness resources, or explore training opportunities that are available through NNLM, please contact us! We are here to assist you in learning about the wealth of biomedical and health information available through the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health.
Plain Language Checklist
The Health and Human Service’s (HHS) Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR)and Office for Civil Rights (OCR) recently developed a plain language checklist to help emergency responders provide services to individuals with limited English proficiency and individuals with disabilities during response and recovery efforts. The checklist includes recommendations, specific action steps, and resources to assist first responders in providing on-the-ground language assistance and communicating effectively in disasters. Practical tips range from how to identify language needs in a disaster-impacted community to effectively utilizing interpreters. This 2-page checklist synthesizes essential information that responders need to know. It is now available on Disaster Lit.