Hello NCNMLG Members,

Happy 2014! We started the year off last week with a fantastic presentation by three of our members. Nancy Dickenson, Peggy Makie, and Geri Bodeker shared innovative ideas on ways to expand hospital/health library services. Thank you to Nancy, Peggy, and Geri for presenting. I would also like to thank Alan Carr and Kay Deeney of NN/LM Pacific Southwest Region for sponsoring the program.

The question and answer portion of the program brought forth an interesting discussion on funding for an MLA liaison to the Joint Commission annual meeting. It was mentioned that funding was no longer available for an MLA representative to attend, but the issue has been clarified. Peggy Makie contacted a member of MLA Hospital Libraries Section and was informed that after much debate, they would be sending a rep to the Joint Commission meeting. Thank you Peggy for following up on this important issue. For more information on Joint Commission and how the accreditation process involves hospital libraries, visit: http://www.mlanet.org/resources/hospaccr.html

Speaking of MLA, the Membership Shuffle Committee is asking chapters to create a poster highlighting their group for the annual conference this year. The posters will be in lieu of a ‘Section Shuffle’ and a way for sections and chapters to attract more members. Please let me know if you are interested in working on the poster – great way to earn AHIP ‘Conference Participation’ credits. If you don’t know what is required for AHIP membership, contact Ana M. Macías, AHIP Credentialing Liaison.

Thank you,
Carmen Huddleston