Professional Development Grant Report: Internet Librarian 2023

Thank you to NCNMLG for awarding me the professional development funds to attend the Internet Librarian Conference in 2023. This year, the conference was held online from October 16 – 19, and included access to the session archives through the end of December.

One of my favorite sessions was titled ‘Decision-Making Dartboard: Watch your Aim’ and delivered by M.J. D’Elia, Associate Chief Librarian, University of British Columbia, Okanagan and Scott Hargrove, CEO, Fraser Valley Regional Library. During the session, they shared a graphic dartboard that can be used to identify what type of decision you are making and what type of method should be used (for instance: an emergency in the library may require immediate executive decision-making by the Library Director whereas other types of decisions may be more appropriate for seeking a consensus). I found this presentation extremely useful and am planning to share these concepts in my library in 2024.

Due to my professional role (which includes supporting library technology), a few sessions that I especially found relevant were ‘Fostering Tech-Savvy Staff,’ which was delivered by Nick Tanzi, Assistant Director & Library Technology Consultant, South Huntington Public Library as well as ‘Readying Staff for Innovation,’ by Eric Kokke, Marketing Manager, Go School for Information. An element of Tanzi’s session included best practices for delivering tech instruction to library staff plus specific tips for how to format training materials and evaluate tech-related proficiencies. The presentation also included a discussion of soft skills and ideas for developing a work culture that encourages interest in technology. Kokke’s session shared some different types of innovation, reasons to innovate, as well as insight into why we and our teams may be resistant to innovation and change. Kokke also discussed drivers of successful innovation and provided specific tips for encouraging innovation in the library setting.

Many of the sessions for this year’s Internet Librarian Conference were focused on exploring artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in libraries. One of the workshops I attended that discussed AI (including a chat conversation around how librarians and library staff are experiencing AI along with their patrons) plus many other technologies was ‘Tech Trends for 2024’ hosted by David Lee King. King discussed how different technologies are being used in libraries as well as how they are impacting our larger world.

In previous years, I have attended the Internet Librarian Conference in-person, but this was my first time attending virtually. I learned a lot and was so grateful to NCNMLG for providing me with the funds to participate! For any librarians or library staff who are in technology-related roles or just have an interest in technology, you can check out the 2023 program and see if it looks like a conference you may be interested in attending in the future: https://site.pheedloop.com/event/ILC23/conference/schedule

And for any NCNMLG Members, I highly recommend applying for one of NCNMLG’s Professional Development Grants to support your own professional growth!


– Submitted by Marina Aiello

Nominate a Colleague for the Louise Darling Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Collection Development in the Health Sciences

The Louise Darling Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Collection Development in the Health Sciences is seeking nominations or applications! *Applications are due October 15th, 2023.*

The Louise Darling Medal is presented annually to recognize distinguished achievement in collection development in the health sciences. The medal honors Louise Darling’s significant accomplishment in this professional specialty. The jury reviews nominations and awards points based on achievements, leadership, cooperative efforts, and service.

Please consider applying or nominating a colleague. Full information on the award, criteria, and the nomination form can be found through the Louise Darling award page: https://www.mlanet.org/p/cm/ld/fid=242

Link to: Louise Darling Medal for Distinguished Achievement in Collection Development in the Health Sciences


— Submitted by Sara Pimental

In Memoriam: Naomi Cordero Broering (1929-2023)

Alan F. Carr, M.L.S., M.P.H., AHIP

Former MLA President Naomi Broering passed away on January 11, 2023, in La Jolla, CA, after a two-year battle with cancer. During Naomi’s remarkably long and distinguished career in health sciences librarianship, she served in a number of key leadership positions. Born in New York City, Naomi lived throughout her career in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C. (Georgetown), Houston, and finally, La Jolla.

Naomi received her MLS from UCLA, followed by a one-year NLM Postgraduate Fellowship at the UCLA Biomedical Library. She also completed all coursework for a PhD in history at UCLA, and earned an MA and BA (cum laude) from California State University, Long Beach. Naomi served as Reference Librarian at the USC Norris Medical Library and completed a year of law school from West LA University in 1970-71, while also serving as Hospital Librarian at Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles.

Naomi’s last position was the Dean of Libraries at the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine (PCOM) in San Diego, beginning in 2001. Previously, she was Director of the Herrick Library at Grossmont Healthcare District in La Mesa, CA. Prior to her relocation to the NNLM Pacific Southwest Region in 1999, Naomi was the Executive Director of the Houston Academy of Medicine–Texas Medical Center Library in Houston and Director of the NNLM South Central Region for nearly five years. Before that she was the Director of the Biomedical Information Resources Center and Medical Center Library at Dahlgren Memorial Library, Georgetown University Medical Center, for 22 years. Naomi announced her retirement in March 2018.

During her tenure at PCOM and at the Grossmont Healthcare District, Naomi and I developed a close working relationship. Naomi could be counted on to participate in an NNLM focus group, assist at an NNLM exhibit, contribute to any NIH or NLM Request for Information, or provide other needed assistance to the RML. Naomi had an exceptional track record of successfully applying for NNLM and NLM outreach awards. She highly valued and respected the work of both organizations. Naomi conducted a number of projects involving extensive outreach to various communities in San Diego County. The projects ranged from 12-18 months, targeting both health care professionals and consumer audiences. In these projects, Naomi developed collaborations with many community organizations, including public libraries, churches, community centers, veterans centers, and HIV/AIDS clinics. She reached underserved communities populated by Hispanics, African Americans, Native and Pacific Islander Americans, and areas of high HIV incidence. Naomi was well known and respected for her efforts promoting access to NLM and NIH health information resources.

A particularly notable result of Naomi’s successful efforts with the Senior Health Project: Access to Electronic Health Information in San Diego was the PCOM Library being named one of the top ten finalists for the 2006 U.S. National Commission on Libraries and Information Science (NCLIS) Health Information Awards for Libraries. In addition to NNLM outreach awards, Naomi also successfully competed for several NLM HIV/AIDS Community Information Outreach Program awards, furthering outreach penetration in the San Diego area. She also received an NLM Disaster Health Information Outreach & Collaboration Award in 2012, to conduct a project reaching out to San Diego County’s Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT). To enhance the visibility of these significant outreach contributions, Naomi highlighted them as an author of many scholarly articles and presenter of papers and poster sessions, such as three articles in the Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, including “HIV/AIDS Health Information Outreach Service in San Diego” in 2012.

Naomi accumulated an extensive list of professional honors, awards, and contributions during her long career. She served as President of the Medical Library Association (MLA) in 1996-97. Naomi received MLA’s Marcia Noyes Award in 2003, the association’s highest professional distinction. She was named an MLA Fellow in 1995 and a Distinguished Member of MLA’s Academy of Health Information Professionals. Naomi was the 21st editor of the Journal of the Medical Library Association (formerly the Bulletin) from 1991 to 1996. In 1986 she received MLA’s Frank Bradway Rogers Information Advancement Award. In service to the National Library of Medicine, Naomi was a member of a Planning Panel for the NLM Long Range Plan (2000-2005) and a member of the NLM Biomedical Library and Informatics Review Committee. In 2015, Naomi received MLA’s first Hispanic Heritage Award in recognition of her past accomplishments in medical librarianship and library informatics. She co-founded the Friends of the NLM and served as Secretary of the Board of Directors.

Naomi was the Principal Investigator of the Georgetown University IAIMS Program, an NLM grant program. She oversaw development of the Georgetown University Library Information System, which included a “Mini-MEDLINE” search system component. She authored over 200 scholarly journal articles, two books, and presented papers at national and international library conferences. At other related associations, Naomi was Secretary and Board member of the American Medical Informatics Association (AMIA) from 1992-1996 and was elected Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics (ACMI) in 1989-90. Other professional honors include the Special Libraries Association (SLA) 1999 Winifred Sewell Award, the SLA 1987 Professional Award, and the Vicennial Award from Georgetown University in 1995. She was an active ALA member her entire career and was a lifetime member of ALA, MLA and retired member of AMIA/ACMI.

Personally, it was a joy to collaborate with Naomi. I especially relished her volunteer assistance at NNLM exhibits and the chance to hear some of her many tales about the profession. Her fluency in Spanish often came in handy! When I encountered her at MLA Annual Meetings, she would gladly introduce me to people in her vast network of colleagues, including current NLM director Patti Brennan. These contacts were invaluable to me as the NNLM PSR Associate Director.

Naomi was very generous. She endowed the MLA Naomi C. Broering Hispanic Heritage Grant. Never forgetting her roots at UCLA, she donated to a scholarship fund at the Graduate Program in Library and Information Studies. Naomi was always invited to the annual dinner honoring the contributions of donors and the scholarship recipients. She often had scheduling conflicts with the dinners, and offered me her ticket to attend in her stead. I always appreciated this opportunity to maintain contact with the faculty and students.

The totality of Naomi’s career had a tremendous impact on the profession. Her considerable knowledge and boundless enthusiasm were priceless assets, which will be greatly missed by many. I will always treasure the memories of Naomi as a friend and colleague.

Naomi is survived by her husband, Gregory Chauncey, and two nieces, Emily Albrecht and Jaye Meyer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Naomi Broering’s honor to the Gregory A. Chauncey and Naomi C. Broering Engineering Veterans Scholarship at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), or to the Naomi Cordero Broering Endowed Scholarship Fund (#31359C) at the UCLA Foundation.


Alan F. Carr, M.L.S., M.P.H., AHIP,  acarr@ucla.edu, is the retired Associate Director, NNLM Pacific Southwest Region, UCLA L. Darling Biomedical Library, Los Angeles, California, 90095.

Allyship and Advocacy at Work: Moving from Awareness to Action

Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023
Time: 12:00-1:30PM Pacific / 1:00-2:30PM Mountain / 2:00-3:30PM Central

Members from sponsoring chapters need not register as they will receive an email from their chapter with the presentation login information. Sponsoring members include the Southern Chapter of the Medical Library Association (SC/MLA), the North Atlantic Health Science Libraries (NAHSL), and the Northern California Nevada Library Group (NCNMLG).

The MCMLA Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee along with the Education Committee have arranged for a special DEI presentation and discussion event, September 13, by Dr. Linda Grace Solis. Dr. Solis will speak for 60 minutes and then there will be a 30-minute discussion to follow.

Description: Each of us has a role to play in building an inclusive and equitable workplace. Even if you are not in a position of traditional or positional power, you can be an ally and an advocate for the people around you. In this session, you’ll have the opportunity to explore what it means to be an ally and an advocate at work, and you’ll walk away with concrete tools you can use to build a workplace culture that is inclusive and where everyone can feel a sense of belonging.

Short Bio: Linda Grace Solis, PhD, has long been passionate about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) issues as related to medical education and to healthcare in general. Dr. Solis serves as faculty advisor for several learner affinity groups at UIWSOM and loves getting to know the learners through these groups. She delights in mentoring students on their journeys to and through medical school, especially those students who are from communities that are under-represented in medical education and healthcare. A lifelong fan of libraries of all kinds, Dr. Solis is fortunate to be a “librarian-in-law” through her sister, who has been a medical librarian for over 25 years. Dr. Solis holds a PhD in Leadership Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University.

Note: The Zoom link will be shared via the NCNMLG Listserv.

Flyer for event

– Provided by Brenda Linares

NCNMLG Chapter News | August 2023

Upcoming Chapter Activities
NCNMLG will be sending out a 6-question survey to the listserv this month. Everyone is highly encouraged to respond.

We are currently partnering with Mid Continental Chapter to host a virtual webinar in September: “Allyship and Advocacy at Work: Moving from Awareness to Action”. More information will be coming soon.

We are in the process of planning a fall Chapter meeting. Be alert for a poll coming through the listserv asking for your input on a preferred date and time (select from 2-3 options).

Open Positions
We are seeking an Archivist for NCNMLG. Please see page 20 of the Policy and Procedure Manual for more information on the Archivist role. If you have any interest in volunteering or any questions about the role, please email: NCNMLGChapter@gmail.com

Recently Filled Positions
Lara Katrina Schott has taken on the role of Chair and Sarah Naumann has joined as a member for the Bylaws/Nominating/Election Committee.

Morgan Brynnan has taken on the role of Membership Coordinator.

Welcome to our new NCNMLG Officers and NCNMLG Committee Members, and thank you to those outgoing officers and committee members! NCNMLG appreciates your support as well as all the time and energy you’ve contributed to our NCNMLG work!

Joint Meeting Postponement
The Joint Meeting has been postponed and will no longer be held in 2024 in San Diego. More information to come.