FRIEDA O. WEISE FOCUSES ON THE FUTURE AS THE NEW MLA PRESIDENT
Frieda O. Weise, AHIP, Executive Director, Health Sciences and Human Services Library, University of Maryland–Baltimore, has assumed the role of president of the Medical Library Association (MLA) for the 1999/2000 year. Weise began her presidency in May at the conclusion of MLA ’99, MLA’s ninety-ninth annual meeting.
One of the profession’s most respected leaders, Weise is the recipient of several honors including the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Director’s Honor Award. She is a distinguished member of the Academy of Health Science Professionals (AHIP) and has also been an active MLA member, serving as MLA treasurer, Board member, chair of the Public Services Section, and chair of the 1998 National Program Committee.
Because of the electronic revolution and the information explosion that has taken place in recent years, the changing role of the health sciences information professional is one of the most important issues facing medical librarianship today. As president, Weise aims to support medical librarians as they continue to reposition themselves within their institutions to address these changes. “Normally in the background, librarians now take center stage as Web developers and managers, consultants and vital members of the health care team in our institutions. Our ability to reinvent ourselves throughout the changes we’ve faced shows great fortitude and flexibility.”
Reaffirming the medical librarians’committment to the profession is another top priority for Weise. “We at MLA must renew our commitment, enable our members to anticipate the future, and prepare them to play different roles. As we look ahead into the next century, I think it is important that we not only renew our commitment to the fundamental values of the profession, but also become practical risk takers,” she stated.
MLA looks forward to working under Weise’s leadership as it faces the new millennium and its second century of serving society and the health sciences information professional.
This release is available at www.mlanet.org/press/
Carla J. Funk
at 312/419-9094 x14
MLA RELEASES NEW COMMUNICATIONS TOOL KIT
The Medical Library Association (MLA) has created the Making
a Difference: Communications Tool Kit for medical librarians.
This new public relations tool published by MLA will assist medical
librarians in developing and maintaining a higher visibility in
their workplaces and in their communities. Filled with techniques
for creating and conducting a successful communications campaign,
the kit gives health sciences information professionals useful
information that will also aid them in sharing their vast knowledge
with consumers, physicians, nurses, hospital administrators, and
others in the health care field. Among the many topics
covered in the kit are:
- How to create an appropriate contact list
- When and how to contact the media
- The purpose of a press kit and what to use when preparing a press kit
- The differences in working with print versus broadcast media
- Tips on coordinating special events, including a checklist
- Guidelines for preparing different types of presentations and speeches
The MLA communications tool kit has been produced in both paper and electronic versions. The electronic version can be found on MLANET. There is a limited quantity of the print version of the Kit available for only a small shipping and handling fee of $5.00. To obtain a print copy of Making a Difference, please mail a check for $5.00 to MLA, P.O. Box 4267, Carol Stream, IL 60197-4297. For further information, please contact Tomi Gunn at 312/419-9094 x11.