Free Consumer Health Classes for Librarians & Information Professionals

Have you ever thought about pursuing the Consumer Health Information Specialization from the Medical Library Association but didn’t have the money to invest in classes or the time to spend a half-day or a full-day taking courses to reach the goal?

Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center is offering a free program to anyone looking to complete the Consumer Health Information Specialization. Made possible by funding from the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, South Central Region, this program will provide short educational offerings completely ONLINE to help those who may not have time or money to take classes that qualify for the Consumer Health Information Specialization. Through this initiative, participants can obtain all required credits in eight months while taking one or two classes a week, depending on the level of specialization they would like to achieve. For those who do not want to pursue the formal specialization, the program offers an innovative progressive education (discussions) on the general issues of consumer health for librarians, information professionals and any others with an interest.

Here are a few of the discussion topics:

  • What consumer health library services are you ethically and legally able to provide? What you must report, what you cannot report, and what you cannot say.
  • How can your personal beliefs affect your information interactions?
  • How you can work with teachers or healthcare organizations in your community to promote consumer health services?

For more information on this educational initiative, visit http://guides.lsuhsc.edu/geauxconsumerla, where you can learn more about the primary courses that will be offered by NNLM (all online) and see the full list of the discussion/presentation sessions with NATIONAL leaders.

Public librarians, schoolteachers and others across the country interested in this specialization are encouraged to participate in this specially organized educational opportunity! The one- to two-hour online sessions make it perfect for those with limited opportunity to leave their workplace to further their education.

Those in Louisiana who participate in this program may apply to have the specialization fee waived by following the instructions given on the GeauxConsumerLA program website.For more information, contact Julia M. Esparza, Head of User Education and Outreach Services at LSU Health Sciences Library, at 318-675-4179 or jespar@lsuhsc.edu.

What I did last summer: Applying for AHIP using a NCNMLG Professional Development Grant, by Michelle Lieggi

As a librarian new to health sciences in 2005, I was eager to apply for membership in the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP). Provisional members (less than 5 years experience) are encouraged to participate in continuing education and professional activities as a means toward full membership. But there is a fee to apply, so I was hesitant to submit my application. Even after 5 years experience, completing several CE courses, and being active in NCNMLG and MLA, the application languished on my desk. It would be another 5 years before I picked it up again. Fortunately, I had stayed active in NCNMLG and MLA, so by 2016, I had plenty of points towards AHIP membership. That’s when I discovered that NCNMLG had a professional grant – and it would fund the $200 application fee! After a summer spent working on my application, I was finally awarded Distinguished membership in AHIP in October 2016.

Just remember…NCNMLG’s professional development grants are available to ANY member, whether a newbie to the profession (or a “seasoned” member like me). And it’s never too late to apply for AHIP! Thank you NCNMLG for funding my application.

AHIP Application Support: A Post from NCNMLG Professional Development Grant awardee Michelle Rachal

I applied to MLA’s AHIP program this week thanks to a professional development grant I received from NCNMLG. I applied at the Provisional level and I’m looking forward to completing the requirements for the Member level. I feel this is an excellent opportunity for me to increase my skills in medical librarianship. When I started working in a medical library in 2009 I was hired as paraprofessional staff, eager to become a full-fledged librarian (I already had my MLIS). I did get promoted to a faculty position early in 2013 but I was still not a medical or health sciences librarian. Even so I was very interested in joining MLA and becoming a part of AHIP. Finally in August of 2013 I became the Health Sciences Librarian at the main library on our campus, University of Nevada, Reno. I became a member of MLA and NCNMLG but couldn’t afford the tuition for the AHIP program so I feel really fortunate to be able to finally join. Thank you NCNMLG for your support!

NCNMLG Member Renewals Now Due

Dear NCNMLG MEMBERS:

I am writing to remind you to renew your NCNMLG membership. Our fiscal year began on June 1st 2015 and runs through May 2016. In addition to regular membership benefits that include:
• Networking
• Educational Opportunities
• Free Access to Survey Monkey
• Directory Listing

Discounted fees for the 2016 Joint Meeting (http://ncnmlg.mlanet.org/joint2016/) will be available. You must be current in your NCNMLG Membership to qualify for discounted Conference Fees. Please renew early so you can take advantage of these discounts.

You may renew by credit card online at: http://ncnmlg.mlanet.org/benefitsNCNMLG.html#join
Another option is to renew by sending a check & your completed membership application to:
NCNMLG
ATTN MEMBERSHIP
P O BOX 64099
Sunnyvale, CA. 94088

Please share this information with anyone you know who might be interested in joining our organization. We welcome and encourage new members.

Feel free to contact me at any time if you need Membership Assistance.
Thank You For Attending To This Message,
Mike Liddicoat, Membership Chair
Mike_Li@elcaminohospital.org
(408) 866-4044