2020 SC/MLA Virtual Annual Meeting: Submit Paper & Poster Abstracts by October 4!

The SC/MLA Programming Committee invites you to submit proposals for contributed papers and posters for the SC/MLA Virtual Annual Meeting in November 2020.

Crossroads: Libraries and Southern Culture

Our profession, our professional lives, and even our personal lives as Southerners have come to a crossroads. What are the challenges we face in our libraries, in health information, research, and leadership? What steps have we taken to meet those challenges? What paths have we chosen, and with whom have we chosen to partner as we go forward? How do our Southern roots and culture inform and shape our past, current, and future paths? Explore these themes in our presentations, posters, and paper sessions.

Please submit a blinded abstract through this form following the structured abstract format by MLA's Research Section. There is a 300-word maximum. The blinded abstract, which will be used in a blind review process, must not include any specific information that would identify authors or institutions. The deadline for paper and poster abstract submissions is Sunday, October 4, 2020.

2020 SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Call for Papers & Posters - DEADLINE EXTENSION

2020 SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Call for Papers & Posters

The SC/MLA Programming Committee invites you to submit proposals for contributed papers and posters for the 2020 SC/MLA 70th Annual Meeting in October 2020. While details are pending, this meeting will likely be held virtually.

Crossroads: Libraries and Southern Culture

Our profession, our professional lives, and even our personal lives as Southerners have come to a crossroads. What are the challenges we face in our libraries, in health information, research, and leadership? What steps have we taken to meet those challenges? What paths have we chosen, and with whom have we chosen to partner as we go forward? How do our Southern roots and culture inform and shape our past, current, and future paths? Explore these themes in our presentations, posters, and paper sessions.

Please submit a blinded abstract through this form following the structured abstract format by MLA's Research Section. There is a 300-word maximum. The blinded abstract, which will be used in a blind review process, must not include any specific information that would identify authors or institutions. The deadline for paper and poster abstract submissions has been extended to September 1, 2020.

You may wish to consider the following when submitting abstract proposals:

• Share experiences in which you have brought together disparate people, programming, or services to improve the quality of research, clinical practice, education, or outreach. 
• Share how recent watershed moments have brought you to a crossroad, how you evaluated the path forward, and how things may look different in the future.

Both papers and posters will be evaluated on originality, innovation, organization, and clarity of presentation, as well as relevance to the meeting's theme.

Authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection by September 15, 2020. If accepted, you will be asked to submit an unblinded abstract for the meeting program. Additional information (presentation time, setup instructions, etc.) will be sent with acceptance notification.

For questions, please contact:

• Papers: Margaret Ansell, meansell@ufl.edu
• Posters: Emily Brennan, brennane@musc.edu

2020 SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Call for Papers & Posters

2020 SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Call for Papers & Posters

The SC/MLA Programming Committee invites you to submit proposals for contributed papers and posters for the 2020 SC/MLA 70th Annual Meeting in Montgomery, AL on October 22-24.

Crossroads: Libraries and Southern Culture

Our profession, our professional lives, and even our personal lives as Southerners have come to a crossroads. What are the challenges we face in our libraries, in health information, research, and leadership? What steps have we taken to meet those challenges? What paths have we chosen, and with whom have we chosen to partner as we go forward? How do our Southern roots and culture inform and shape our past, current, and future paths? Explore these themes in our presentations, posters, and paper sessions. Network with your colleagues, and experience Southern culture through conference hospitality, food, music, and tours of historic sites in Montgomery and Tuskegee.

Please submit a blinded abstract through this form following the structured abstract format by MLA's Research Section. There is a 300-word maximum. The blinded abstract, which will be used in a blind review process, must not include any specific information that would identify authors or institutions. The deadline for paper and poster abstract submissions is Wednesday, July 1. 

Note: We encourage you to consider submitting whether or not you anticipate being able to attend in person in Montgomery.  The public health situation for October is not yet known; however, we anticipate holding this conference in Montgomery, online, or in a hybrid format. 

You may wish to consider the following when submitting abstract proposals:

• Share experiences in which you have brought together disparate people, programming, or services to improve the quality of research, clinical practice, education, or outreach. 
• Share how recent watershed moments have brought you to a crossroad, how you evaluated the path forward, and how things may look different in the future.

Both papers and posters will be evaluated on originality, innovation, organization, and clarity of presentation, as well as relevance to the meeting's theme.

Authors will be notified of acceptance or rejection by July 15, 2020. If accepted, you will be asked to submit an unblinded abstract for the meeting program. Additional information (presentation time, location, setup instructions, etc.) will be sent with acceptance notification. Those presenting in Montgomery must be registered for the meeting.

For questions, please contact:

• Papers: Margaret Ansell, meansell@ufl.edu
• Posters: Emily Brennan, brennane@musc.edu

Clarivate Analytics/MLA Doctoral Fellowship

Clarivate Analytics sponsors a fellowship to foster and encourage superior students to conduct doctoral work in an area of health sciences librarianship or information sciences and to provide support to individuals who have been admitted to candidacy. The award supports research or travel applicable to the candidate's study within a twelve-month period. The award may not be used for tuition. The application form and more information about the fellowship, including more detail about application components, can be accessed under Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships.


Applications are due by December 1, 2019 by 11:59 pm (CDT) and must include the following components:

• Completed application, including signed statement of terms and conditions.
• Transcripts of graduate work submitted directly from the institution to MLA or proof of enrollment in the graduate program and a list of courses completed.
• Name and contact information of doctoral advisor.
• Updated MLA profile. 
• Two letters of reference, submitted by the reference directly to MLA (awards@mail.mlahq.org), one from applicant's advisor. References must include the following information:
• Applicant's name, position/status, institution, and project summary.
• Reference name, position, institution, and location.
• How long and in what capacity the reference has known the applicant?
• Would reference like their comments held in confidence?
• An assessment of:
• the professional merits of the applicant’s proposal, especially its significance and feasibility;
• the depth of applicant’s knowledge in the professional area of the proposal;
• the applicant’s research competence; and
• the applicant’s personal traits, including the ability to work with colleague.

2019 SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Paper & Poster Abstracts - deadline extension (June 19)

The SC/MLA Programming Committee invites you to submit proposals for contributed papers and posters for the 2019 SC/MLA 69th Annual Meeting in Savannah, GA on October 10-13.

The meeting theme is "Squaring the Circle: Libraries Shaping the Future"

Please submit a blinded abstract through this form following the structured abstract format by MLA's Research Section. There is a 300-word maximum. The blinded abstract, which will be used in a blind review process, must not include any specific information that would identify authors or institutions. The deadline for paper and poster abstract submissions has been extended to Wednesday, June 19 (11:59pm). 

Please consider the following when submitting abstract proposals:

• "Squaring the Circle" is an impossible mathematical task and a metaphor for trying to accomplish the impossible. Please share experiences in which you have attempted the impossible, and either failed or succeeded.
• Shaping the Future: Please describe how you are shaping the future of libraries and the health sciences in the areas of technology, resources, services, or library spaces.

2019 SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Call for Papers & Posters

The SC/MLA Programming Committee invites you to submit proposals for contributed papers and posters for the 2019 SC/MLA 69th Annual Meeting in Savannah, GA on October 10-13.

The meeting theme is "Squaring the Circle: Libraries Shaping the Future"

Please submit a blinded abstract through this form following the structured abstract format by MLA's Research Section. There is a 300-word maximum. The blinded abstract, which will be used in a blind review process, must not include any specific information that would identify authors or institutions. The deadline for paper and poster abstract submissions is June 10, 2019.

Please consider the following when submitting abstract proposals:

• "Squaring the Circle" is an impossible mathematical task and a metaphor for trying to accomplish the impossible. Please share experiences in which you have attempted the impossible, and either failed or succeeded.
• Shaping the Future: Please describe how you are shaping the future of libraries and the health sciences in the areas of technology, resources, services, or library spaces.

SC/MLA...Just Around the Corner!

The 68^th SC/MLA Annual Meeting is just around the corner! If you haven’t given much thought to the meeting venue, now’s the perfect time to take a look at what the Orlando has to offer. The Wyndham Lake Buena Vista is located within walking distance of the Disney Springs area, which might be worth exploring if you find yourself with some time to spare. And be sure to keep an eye out for more information about the Welcome Reception and Banquet – two popular events you won’t want to miss.

Temperatures will range from the upper 60’s to the lower 80’s, but it looks like there might be some rain on first day or so of the meeting. Don’t forget to pack an umbrella! You’ll find key information about the hotel and getting to and from the meeting on the website.

We’re looking forward to seeing you all in Orlando at the end of the month!

SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Sneak Peek of the Poster Presentation, "Flying without a Text: Using Open Educational Resources, E-books, and LibGuides for Nursing Education"

This week, we are offering you a preview of the poster, "Flying without a Text: Using Open Educational Resources, E-books, and LibGuides for Nursing Education," by Gregg Stevens, Stony Brook University. 

In recent years, many universities have supported efforts to reduce student textbook costs through encouraging faculty to incorporate Open Educational Resources (OERs) and other alternatives to expensive textbook purchases. What are the opportunities and challenges for this in health sciences education? This poster describes the experiences of a nursing librarian working with faculty to make the shift. 

If you’re interested in learning more about the possibilities, check out Poster S-02, “Flying without a Text: Using Open Educational Resources, E-books, and LibGuides for Nursing Education” during the Saturday poster session on October 27.

CE Offerings: Communicating Clinically

Are you looking to get move involved with clinicians in their environment, but aren’t exactly sure how to communicate with them? Do you want to learn about “rounds” and the common dialogue? If so, this Thursday afternoon CE, Communicating Clinically, might be exactly what you need!

It’s important for librarians to reach out to clinicians outside the library and this course will teach you common techniques to better communication with physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in their environment. Julia Esparza, the course instruction, will illustrate what clinicians see as useful information. In addition, participants will listen and identify information needs from actual clinical rounds.

Sign up for this course and receive 4 MLA CE credits. It’s being held on Thursday, October 25 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. The price is $100/member or $125/nonmember. For more information, please see the website.

CE Offerings: From Idea to Reality: How to Successfully Plan and Promote Library Events

Hoping to take a CE, but aren’t planning on getting in until Thursday morning? A Thursday afternoon CE might be the right choice for you! Luckily, the SC/MLA annual meeting offers two different afternoon CEs for you to choose from. From Idea to Reality: How to Successfully Plan and Promote Library Events is for those wanting to learn more about how to draw users into their library while also learning how to better plan and promote events.

Taught by Shalu Gillum, Natasha Williams, and Amelia Strickland, this course works with attendees to brainstorm creative program ideas and takes a look at different marketing techniques. You’ll also learn how to use an editorial calendar as a promotional scheduling tool. It’s a great opportunity to practice creating, implementing, and marketing a service or event for you library!

Sign up for this course and receive 4 MLA CE credits. It’s being held on Thursday, October 25 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm. The price is $100/member or $125/nonmember. For more information, please see the website.

CE Offerings: What Did You Hear? Qualitative Data Analysis

There are some great continuing education courses being offered at this year’s SC/MLA annual meeting! Wanting to analyze qualitative data from a research project but not sure how? Then sign up for this CE to learn all about qualitative data analysis!

What Did You Hear? Qualitative Data Analysis will be taught by Ayaba Logan from the Medical University of South Carolina. Attend this CE to learn all about qualitative data, identify tools to analyze qualitative data, and appraise the quality of the process and data derived. Participants will learn through lecture, hands-on exercises, and group discussions. If you decide this CE is for you, remember to bring a WiFi-enabled device.

Sign up for this course and receive 4 MLA CE credits. It’s being held on Thursday, October 25 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. The price is $100/member or $125/nonmember. For more information, please see the website.

CE Offerings: Transforming a Needs Assessment into a Marketing Tool

The SC/MLA Annual Meeting is less than 2 months away and there’s some great Continuing Education courses to choose from! Are you interested in learning about the needs assessment process and how to incorporate what is learned into a marketing plan? Then Transforming a Needs Assessment into a Marketing Tool CE class is for you!

Come learn about needs assessment tools as well as how to effectively communication about library services from Skye Bickett and Christine Willis. Not only will you learn what a needs assessment is, but you’ll learn how to use one. The course will teach you how to decide whether to conduct a needs assessment or use a survey. In addition, the course will teach you best practices for marketing design. Best of all, you’ll learn how to formulate a needs assessment and marketing plan to use in your library!

Sign up for this course and receive 4 MLA CE credits. It’s being held on Thursday, October 25 from 8:00am to 12:00pm. The price is $100/member or $125/nonmember. For more information, please see the website.

Reminder - Call for Papers and Posters

Hello Southern Chapter:

This is just a reminder that the deadline for submission is this Sunday, July 15th.  

SC/MLA 2018 Call for Papers and Posters

The 2018 SC/MLA Programming Committee invites you to submit proposals for contributed papers and posters for the 2018 SC/MLA 68th annual meeting in Orlando Florida during October 25 – October 28th. The meeting will be held at the Wyndham Lake Buena Vista Disney Springs Resort. This year’s theme is “Experience the Magic: Libraries of Tomorrow.” Check the conference website for full meeting details and up-to-the-minute information. This year’s posters’ and papers’ theme is “Warp speed ahead: keeping up with trends, managing change, and anticipating the unknown."

MLA Event - Library School Reunion Tea

Library School Reunion Tea

As you're planning your conference activities, don’t forget this annual event!!!

You are invited to the Library School Reunion Tea, hosted by the Medical Library Education Section.

Q: What is the Library School Reunion?

A: The Library School reunion is a networking event that is open to any MLA attendee.  Due to the generous support of our Library Schools, you can stop by, meet with former classmates, and make new connections over tea and assortment of treats.

Sunday, May 20th, 2018, 2:00 PM—2:55 PM

Hyatt Regency Atlanta

Room: Courtland

Join us for great refreshments and raffle drawing

Life gives us brief  moments with another…….but sometimes in those moments we get memories that last a life time

Reflections on a New RDM Course

By Elena Azadbakht, MSI, University of Southern Mississippi, Hattiesburg

I recently had the opportunity to participate in the inaugural Biomedical & Health Research Data Management for Librarians (mostly) online course, sponsored by the NLM and NNLM Training Office. I am one of about thirty librarians enrolled in the eight-week Moodle course, the online component of which concluded during the first week of March. Each module focused on a different aspect of research data management:

• RDM Overview & Data Lifecycle
• Data Curation & Documentation
• Data Standards, Taxonomies, & Ontologies
• Data Security, Storage, & Preservation
• Data Sharing & Publishing
• Data Management Plans
• Data Wrangling
• RDM at Your Institution

Reflections on the SC/MLA CE Course, "Systematic Reviews: The Role of the Librarian"

By Christine Willis, MLIS, AHIP, Noble Learning Resource Center, Shepherd Center

Systematic reviews have been daunting to me in theory and practice, so for a challenge and an opportunity to expand my understanding of them I signed up for the SC/MLA CE class, Systematic Reviews: The Role of the Librarian. The instructor, Margaret Foster, MS, MPH, AHIP, from Texas A&M University provided many pointers from her 500+ systematic reviews she has participated in with students, faculty, and staff. Defining the question to be answered with the proposed systematic review was key. It didn’t hurt that in her slides she presented many of the phrases that people think are systematic reviews along with an image from The Princess Bride. She shared how to conduct the reference interview for a review article. She provided tools to help establish that the project framework is well designed before jumping into searching databases. Reminders on the recognized protocols was helpful as well.

There were several resources for organization and writing that were intriguing to me and I have added them to my own toolbox to share. They include: PRISMA Flow Diagram Generator, Rayyan, and a book titled, An Introduction to Systematic Reviews by David Gough, Sandy Oliver, and James Thomas. The course was well organized and the time flew by with activities and lecture. I can say with confidence that I am no longer daunted by the thought of working on a systematic review. After this course, I feel much more equipped in knowledge and resources for such a project.

MIA/MLA Career Development Grant: Apply by December 1

The MLA Medical Informatics Section (MIS) awards up to $1,500 to support a career development

activity that will contribute to the advancement of the field of medical informatics.  If you’ve been wanting to take a course or attend a conference related to medical informatics but haven’t had the funds, then this is an opportunity worth exploring! MIS membership is a preferred qualification, so as a member you already have a step up on the competition!

The deadline to apply is December 1, 2017. For further information or to apply, please visit the MIS/MLA grant information page.

Students: Apply for the MLA Scholarship!

A scholarship of up to $5,000 will be granted to a student entering an ALA-accredited library school or with at least one-half of the requirements of the program to finish when the scholarship is awarded in March. The award will be given to a student who shows excellence in scholarship and potential for accomplishment in health sciences librarianship. The scholarship is announced at the annual meeting of the association, where the recipient will also receive a one-year student membership in the Medical Library Association and free inclusive student registration at the association’s annual meeting.

The application deadline is December 1, 2017. Please see the MLA website for details on how to apply.

67th SC/MLA Annual Meeting: Change is in the Air: Passion, Purpose, Possibilities

It is exciting to see everything coming together for our meeting!

Take a look at our CEs! Systematic Reviews: The Role of the Librarian (MLA), Cool Creative Communications: Dazzling Data Visualization, Leadership Considered: Refining and Defining Your Skills for Today and Tomorrow, and Measuring what Matters to Stakeholders.  Please see the conference website for more details.

Local attractions: Knoxville is only a about an hour drive from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Gatlinburg – it’s definitely worth taking some extra time to drive through Cades Cove and experience the beauty of an historic frontier settlement. Plus, don’t forget about all the mini golf courses and Dollywood!

The Hilton is easy walking distance to some of Knoxville’s finest restaurants and shopping, as well as right across the street from the main branch of the Knox County Public Library. Go ahead and look up menus for Yassin’s Falafel House (also across the street from the Hilton), Tupelo Honey Café, Nama Sushi, Tomato Head, Not Watson’s, Downtown Grill and Brewery, and Babalu Tacos and Tapas. Also, enjoy the Market Square Farmers’ Market on Saturday, October 21!

Our banquet will be held at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame: experience history, maybe shoot some hoops, and get ready to dance!  Our DJ is booked and ready to go, so send your requests to Michael jmlindsay@utmck.edu or Cynthia cvaughn@utmck.edu. 

Make your reservations TODAY!

See you in Knoxville!

Your Local Arrangements Committee Co-Chairs, J. Michael Lindsay and Cynthia Beeler

MOOCs for Librarians

Many of us are planning on taking advantage of the CE offerings at this year's SC/MLA meeting. Even more of us enjoy the training opportunities provided by the NN/LM. But how many of us make use of another (mostly free) form of professional development: Massive Open Online Courses or MOOCs?


While fitting a MOOC into our busy schedules may not be an easy task, most of the major MOOC providers (Coursera, edX, Udacity, etc.) allow learners to "audit" courses free of charge and at their own pace. There a several MOOCs currently on offer that relate to the work that we do. Perhaps you're interested in learning more about data science or, more specifically, research data management? Or maybe you wish you were more familiar with  open education or bioinformatics? Or perhaps you're interested in how people learn and would enjoy taking one of the most popular MOOCs around?

Have you taken any MOOCs? Did you have a good learning experience?