Copyright (c) 2009 All rights reserved. http://works.bepress.com/martine Recent documents in Elaine Russo Martin en-us Sat, 26 Sep 2009 23:31:20 PDT 3600 http://works.bepress.com/martine/30 http://works.bepress.com/martine/30 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:50:43 PDT This article describes a unique career ladder model for library support staff. Major components include a promotion in place opportunity based on specified achievement levels, competencies, cross training, and measurable evaluation. The authors discuss the background, development, and program description of the career ladder model. Jane Fama Career Mobility Libraries, Medical Library Administration Staff Development Lamar Soutter Library University of Massachusetts Medical School http://works.bepress.com/martine/29 http://works.bepress.com/martine/29 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:59 PDT In 1995, the National Library of Medicine (NLM) and the Public Health Service (PHS) recommended that special attention be given to the information needs of unaffiliated public health professionals. In response, the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM) Greater Midwest Region initiated a collaborative outreach program for public health professionals working in rural east and central Iowa. Five public health agencies were provided equipment, training, and support for accessing the Internet. Key factors in the success of this project were: (1) the role of collaborating agencies in the implementation and ongoing success of information access outreach projects; (2) knowledge of the socio-cultural factors that influence the information-seeking habits of project participants (public health professionals); and (3) management of changing or varying technological infrastructures. Working with their funding, personnel from federal, state, and local governments enhanced the information-seeking skills of public health professionals in rural eastern and central Iowa communities. Linda J. Walton Comparative Study Computer Communication Networks Internet Iowa Medical Informatics Public Health http://works.bepress.com/martine/28 http://works.bepress.com/martine/28 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:56 PDT The University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) provides the campus community, including the main campus and three regional sites, with a local MEDLINE option through a GRATEFUL MED fixed-fee licensing agreement with the National Library of Medicine. Searching is available via the Internet. A password server and customized GRATEFUL MED clients were built in order to adapt this off-the-shelf product to match the look and feel of other UIC campus-wide Internet resources. Installation, documentation, and training issues affecting the success of the project are discussed. Elaine Russo Martin Chicago Comparative Study Computer Communication Networks Computer User Training Grateful Med National Library of Medicine (U.S.) Universities http://works.bepress.com/martine/27 http://works.bepress.com/martine/27 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:54 PDT Teams are prevalent in many academic libraries, including those associated with medical schools. The objective of this study is to apply J. Richard Hackman's framework on team effectiveness to academic medical library settings. Study findings inform academic medical library managers regarding the adoption of teams about the necessary conditions to put in place and to strengthen the effectiveness of preexisting teams. Team effectiveness is also linked to team leadership.Introducing teams into an organization is not a trivial matter. Effective teams require time, patience, commitment on the part of the library director, and leadership from everyone. Elaine Russo Martin Leadership Teams in the workplace Organizational Case Studies Librarians Personnel Staffing and Scheduling United States Libraries, Medical Library administration http://works.bepress.com/martine/26 http://works.bepress.com/martine/26 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:51 PDT Elaine Russo Martin Computer Literacy Computer User Training Librarians http://works.bepress.com/martine/25 http://works.bepress.com/martine/25 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:49 PDT The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information Center has funded a medical library project to develop an electronic resource of current, evidence-based public health best practices identified in the journal literature. This resource will assist university faculty and federal, state and local public health department personnel in identifying evidence-based best practices in maternal and child health. The results to date include a project website; lists of public health journals and bibliographic databases; a chart of public health sources, knowledge domains, and sub-domains; current evidence-based best practices identified in maternal and child health; and a table of public health journals matched with each knowledge domain and sub-domain. This methodology for developing resources related to a specific knowledge domain such as maternal and child health can also be used in other areas of public health. The description of the criteria presently used for defining evidence-based best practices can be used in reviews of the public health literature.Presented at the 131st Annual Meeting of the American Public Health Association. Sharon L. Telleen Evidence-Based Medicine Public Health Public Health Practice Public Health Informatics Child Health Services Maternal Health Services http://works.bepress.com/martine/24 http://works.bepress.com/martine/24 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:46 PDT Objectives: The objective of this study is to apply J. Richard Hackman's framework on team effectiveness to academic medical library settings. Methods: The study uses a qualitative, multiple case study design, employing interviews and focus groups to examine team effectiveness in three academic medical libraries. Another site was selected as a pilot to validate the research design, field procedures, and methods to be used with the cases. In all, three interviews and twelve focus groups, with approximately seventy-five participants, were conducted at the case study libraries. Findings: Hackman identified five conditions leading to team effectiveness and three outcomes dimensions that defined effectiveness. The participants in this study identified additional characteristics of effectiveness that focused on enhanced communication, leadership personality and behavior, and relationship building. The study also revealed an additional outcome dimension related to the evolution of teams. Conclusions: Introducing teams into an organization is not a trivial matter. Hackman's model of effectiveness has implications for designing successful library teams. Elaine Russo Martin Libraries, Medical United States Evaluation Studies Medical libraries Case studies Teams in the workplace Library administration Academic Dissertations http://works.bepress.com/martine/23 http://works.bepress.com/martine/23 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:43 PDT Elaine Russo Martin Libraries, Medical Planning Techniques Professional Competence Program Development http://works.bepress.com/martine/22 http://works.bepress.com/martine/22 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:40 PDT BackgroundMovement towards evidence-based practices in many fields suggests that public health (PH) challenges may be better addressed if credible information about health risks and effective PH practices is readily available. However, research has shown that many PH information needs are unmet. In addition to reviewing relevant literature, this study performed a comprehensive review of existing information resources and collected data from two representative PH groups, focusing on identifying current practices, expressed information needs, and ideal systems for information access.MethodsNineteen individual interviews were conducted among employees of two domains in a state health department - communicable disease control and community health promotion. Subsequent focus groups gathered additional data on preferences for methods of information access and delivery as well as information format and content. Qualitative methods were used to identify themes in the interview and focus group transcripts.ResultsInformants expressed similar needs for improved information access including single portal access with a good search engine; automatic notification regarding newly available information; access to best practice information in many areas of interest that extend beyond biomedical subject matter; improved access to grey literature as well as to more systematic reviews, summaries, and full-text articles; better methods for indexing, filtering, and searching for information; and effective ways to archive information accessed. Informants expressed a preference for improving systems with which they were already familiar such as PubMed and listservs rather than introducing new systems of information organization and delivery. A hypothetical ideal model for information organization and delivery was developed based on informants' stated information needs and preferred means of delivery. Features of the model were endorsed by the subjects who reviewed it.ConclusionMany critical information needs of PH practitioners are not being met efficiently or at all. We propose a dual strategy of: 1) promoting incremental improvements in existing information delivery systems based on the expressed preferences of the PH users of the systems and 2) the concurrent development and rigorous evaluation of new models of information organization and delivery that draw on successful resources already operating to deliver information to clinical medical practitioners. Nancy R. LaPelle Information Services Access to Information Needs Assessment Public Health Public Health Administration Public Health Informatics Qualitative Research http://works.bepress.com/martine/21 http://works.bepress.com/martine/21 Fri, 28 Mar 2008 16:26:37 PDT e-Mental Health in Central Massachusetts (EMH) is a web-based resource designed to improve access to evidence-based mental health information and local resources for mental health professionals and consumers. The Lamar Soutter Library, University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS), in collaboration with the UMMS Department of Psychiatry and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, developed EMH to meet the needs of practitioners, patients and caregivers. The project provides an integrative web-based information resource that includes searchable databases of (1) local mental health care services and (2) quality-filtered information about mental health conditions and diseases. Centralized access to professional resources, information literacy training, professional reference services and document delivery to a traditionally underserved population are also provided. After training, participants in the program use the resource regularly and demonstrate heightened awareness of reliable mental health information available to them. The collaborative spirit also continues and will surely benefit future endeavors. Elaine Russo Martin Mental Health Mental Disorders Patient Education Internet