Scott Garrison Selected as New MLANET Editor

February 1998
The Medical Library Association (MLA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Scott Garrison, Systems Librarian, Medical Center Library, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, as the new MLANET editor.

A search committee chosen by MLA President Rachael K. Anderson, selected Mr. Garrison for his active involvement in MLA and his considerable technological skills and Internet capabilities. He has contributed to the MLA annual meeting Web pages for the past three years and served as National Program Committee Web Site Task Force Co-Chair for MLA '96 and MLA '97. He has also taught Web-related courses at the Mid-Atlantic Chapter meetings and has presented several Web-related posters at MLA meetings.

As MLANET Editor, Mr. Garrison will work with the staff and MLA chapters and sections to develop the editorial content of the Web site in accordance with MLA's mission and policies. He will also be responsible for facilitating member involvement in the association's Web site.

"I see the potential for MLANET to serve as a central point of access to information from many separate sources, like meeting programs and events, the Bulletin, the News, and more. I also plan to promote MLANET not just as a service to the membership, but also as a vital resource to which members should contribute," he said.

Mr. Garrison's duties as editor will also include evaluating, editing and organizing copy submitted for MLANET; ensuring that MLANET editorial polices are consistent with the priorities and direction of MLA's communication program; and coordinating the work of associate editors while providing them with guidance and support.

During his three-year appointment as MLANET editor, Mr. Garrison hopes to make even more progressive changes to the newly re-designed Web site. "As MLANET editor, I look forward to providing more Internet-based services such as allowing members to update their own directory entries online, vote in MLA elections online, and possibly create MLA annual meeting plans using online scheduling and messaging tools," he stated.

In addition to his other duties, Mr. Garrison serves as Web Manager for the Duke University Medical Center and co-Web manager for the university's Medical Center Library Web site.

MLA Web Site Redesigned with User in Mind

February 1998
The Medical Library Association (MLA) is starting the new year off by launching the highly anticipated re-design of MLANET,the association's online presence.

While the information already available on the Web site remains, the navigation system and overall structure has
completely changed. Major topic areas important to medical librarians such as continuing education, jobs, and MLA
publicationsare clearly identified and highlighted.

New features of the site include:

¨ a search engine feature on every page allowing users to type in a word or phrase and locate every Web page on MLANET that contains that word(s). The number of times the word appears is also provided;

¨ a comprehensive pop-up index that follows users wherever they travel while visiting MLANET. The index provides immediate links to all the primary pages in the site including the Centennial Celebration page and the new press room;

¨ interfacing and graphics that produce less glare on a monitor making it easier on the eyes for people who routinely read a lot of data online.

Working with MLANET Editor Scott Garrison, the MLA staff will continue to improve the Web site. Currently in the works is a "Contact Us" button that will allow users to provide feedback to headquarters regarding any topic, from voicing opinions about the Web site to asking questions about their membership and more.

Also coming soon is an MLA store that will allow members and others to securely purchase items such as DocKits and library standards online.

With its exciting new features and design, MLANET continues to be the best online professional resource for medical librarians.

New Leaders to Serve on MLA National Board of Directors

January 1998
Members of the Medical Library Association (MLA) have elected Frieda O. Weise, AHIP, as president-elect for the 1998/99 centennial year. Rosalind Farnam Dudden and Suzanne Grefsheim were both elected to serve three-year terms on the MLA Board of Directors. During MLA '97 in Seattle, WA, last spring, MLA's Chapter Council elected Mary Joan (M.J.) Tooey as their new Chapter Council Chair.

Ms. Weise, Director, Health Sciences Library, University of Maryland, Baltimore, will begin her one-year presidency in May 1999. She has served as an active participant on several MLA committees, presiding as the chair of the 1998 National Program Committee and of the Public Services Section. Ms. Weise has also served two previous terms on the MLA board (including a term as treasurer) and as the MLA representative to the Friends of the National Library of Medicine.

As president, Ms. Weise believes that the success of MLA and of the profession can only be obtained through a collective effort. "I believe the president must listen to members' concerns, take guidance from the board, and enable headquarters staff to help us reach our goals. Henry Ford is credited with saying that coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success. I agree," she stated.

Suzanne Grefsheim, Director, National Institutes of Health Library, Bethesda, MD, strongly believes survival, and more importantly, advancement in the changing health care environment is the one universal issue facing medical librarians. Ms. Grefsheim has served as chair of numerous MLA committees and sections including the Continuing Education Committee, the Medical School Libraries Section, the Technical Services Section, and the MLA Strategic Planning Task Force.

Creativity and a personal gift for making connections and generating ideas is what Rosalind Farnam Dudden looks forward to bringing to MLA in the association's next century. A recipient of several MLA awards and honors including the 1995 Frank Bradway Rogers Information Advancement Award, she has served as chair of the Hospital Libraries Section and as liaison to the MLANET Task Force. Ms. Dudden is the Health Sciences Librarian at the National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Gerald Tucker Memorial Medical Library, Denver, CO.

Mary Joan (M. J.) Tooey, AHIP, Associate Director for External Services and Development, Health Sciences Library, University of Maryland at Baltimore, is one of MLA's most active members. Last year's recipient of the Estelle Brodman Award for Academic Medical Librarian of the Year, Ms. Tooey served on the 1993 National Program Committee and has served as chair of MLA's Mid-Atlantic Chapter.

MLA to Launch Centennial Celebration at MLA '98

January 1998
The Medical Library Association (MLA) prepares for its largest annual meeting everMLA '98the kickoff for its year-long Centennial Celebration. The meeting will be held May 2329, 1998, in Philadelphia, PA, America's birthplace and the site of the association's first annual meeting in May 1898.

The meeting's theme, "Visions of the Future, Reflections on the Past," captures the essence of the meeting. Medical librarians from all over the world will have the opportunity to take a step back in time while looking ahead to the future of the health sciences information profession. Several events are planned including the sealing of the Centennial Time Capsule, and a Centennial Kick Off Party opened by the popular string band and Philadelphia tradition, the Mummers.

"The Centennial meeting will be an opportunity to call attention to librarians who provide access to the quality information that both patients and physicians use to make better health care decisions," stated MLA President, Rachael K. Anderson.

As in previous years, the Hall of Exhibits will be a major attraction. A wide range of exhibits will give medical librarians a chance to learn about state-of-the-art health information management products and services offered by more than 100 vendors.

Also in the Hall of Exhibits this year, the National Program Committee has scheduled two poster sessions designed to celebrate the future and the rich history of MLA and the health sciences information profession. Each session features both print and Web-based presentations. The "Visions" session will be presented by nearly sixty medical librarians and will include demonstrations of their solutions to current library and professional issues. Historical themes will be the focus of the "Reflections" poster session as approximately forty colleagues tell the stories of MLA regional chapters and specialty sections.

MLA continues to be committed to the professional development of its members by helping to prepare them for growth and changes in the industry brought on by technological advances. Several new courses at the meeting focus on the ever-changing environments of health and information science. Just four of the new courses include Licensing Electronic Resources; PubMed and IGM: Searching NLM Databases via the Web; Librarian Marketing Know How: Gaining Respect and Increasing Value; and Developing Web-based Instruction.

"MLA '98 will offer a diverse array of learning opportunities along with a healthy dose of fun. It will be a time for renewal and remembrance, as well as a time for sharing and celebrating the achievements of our profession," promised Frieda O. Weise, chair of MLA, 1998 National Program Committee.

To keep abreast of MLA '98 and MLA Centennial Celebration news and events, visit the MLA Web site MLANET. To receive a copy of the MLA '98 Preliminary Program, contact MLA headquarters at 312/419-9094 or info@mlahq.org.

FRIEDA O. WEISE to Serve as MLA President for Year 1999/2000

January 1998
Members of the Medical Library Association (MLA) have chosen Frieda O. Weise, AHIP, to lead the association into the next millennium. Ms. Weise, director, Health Sciences Library, University of MarylandBaltimore, will serve as president during the 1999/2000 year. Her term will commence when she joins the MLA's Board of Directors as President-elect in May 1998.

A widely published author, Ms. Weise has been one of MLA's most involved members. She has been active in several MLA sections including the Medical School Libraries Section, the Research Section, and the Public Services Section for which she served as chair. She is currently chair of the 1998 National Program Committee and has previously served as MLA Board treasurer.

One of Ms. Weise's top priorities as president will be to focus on ways to advance the skills of MLA members and prepare them for working in the information age, reflecting her role as a former member of the MLA Continuing Education Committee. "I will support investing in MLA's professional development programs so that members can face the challenges ahead with confidence," she said.

A well-known leader within the health sciences information profession, Ms. Weise has received several national honors including distinguished membership in the Academy of Health Science Professionals (AHIP) and the National Library of Medicine (NLM) Director's Honor Award.

Ms. Weise believes that medical librarians must look ahead and reposition themselves to insure a major role in the
networked information environment. "I support the efforts of the MLA Task Force on the Role of the Information
Professional in the Twenty-first Century. As president, I will seek to enhance the image of and promote the value of the health information professional," she stated.

MLA Thanks Chapters for New Members

February 1998
With the association's centennial fast approaching, MLA seeks the participation of as many health sciences librarians as possible to lead us through the challenges and opportunities of the next century. The Chapter Membership Incentive Program encourages chapter members to recruit non-MLA members to participate in the national organization and provides sample materials for members to use in recruitment efforts.

In January 1998, five MLA Chapters received thank you donations for new MLA members who joined under MLA's Chapter Membership Incentive Program. Chapters encouraged eight new members to join under the program between August 1 and December 31, 1997.

The following are the chapters and donations each received:

Hawaii Pacific, 2 introductory regular members, $50.00
Midwest, 2 introductory regular members, $50.00
New York / New Jersey, 1 student member, $5.00
South Central, 1 student member, $5.00
Upstate New York & Ontario, 2 introductory regular members, $50.00

If you would like to join your fellow chapter members and participate in the Chapter Membership Incentive Program, please contact your Chapter chair, an MLA Membership Committee Chapter Representative, or MLA headquarters (Kate Corcoran, 312/419-9094 x12; corcoran@mlahq.org) to request recruitment packets.

Not only do chapter members benefit from becoming MLA members, but through this program, each chapter also benefits. Chapters will continue to receive a $5 donation for each new student member and $25 for any other new member recruited. Chapter support for membership recruitment is greatly appreciated!