MLA Symposium: Health Information for Public Librarians

Posted by Carolyn Martin on February 6th, 2018 Posted in: Health Literacy, News from NNLM, News From NNLM PNR, Public Libraries, Training & Education

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The Medical Library Association (MLA) has joined forces with the Public Library Association (PLA) and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM) to provide a health information symposium for public librarians that runs concurrent with the last day and a half of MLA ’18, including the Tuesday Silver and Gold Networking Dinner.  Health Information for Public Librarians is a symposium which provides a unique opportunity for both public and health sciences librarians to learn and network.

U.S.-based public librarians with interest or responsibility in providing health information to their communities qualify for a free registration for the 1-1/2- day symposium.  MLA headquarters staff will review the application for compliance before sending a confirmation email. Attendance is limited to 150 qualified public librarians, who commit to attending the symposium by registering. Applicants beyond 150 will be placed on a waiting list.

Eligible applicants can also apply for a stipend for up to $500 from the NNLM Greater Midwest Region.  Click here for the NNLM Greater Midwest Region stipend application.  In addition to the $500 stipend, more funding support to defray travel costs is also available from the NNLM Pacific Northwest Region.  After first applying for the NNLM Greater Midwest Region stipend, public librarians in the NNLM Pacific Northwest Region (Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, and Washington state) should contact Carolyn Martin, NNLM Pacific Northwest Region Consumer Health Coordinator (martinc4@uw.edu) about obtaining additional funding  to defray or cover the entire cost of a round trip plane ticket to Atlanta (deadline for NNLM Pacific Northwest Region funding is March 30, 2018).

In short, you only have to commit your time to expand your knowledge of health information and to develop your network of peers in public libraries, health sciences libraries, and NNLM.

Learning objectives include:

• Understand how advances in precision medicine are affecting the need for public health information and learn about the All-of-Us objectives
• Understand the competencies for public health information, self-assess, and create a personal development plan
• Connect health sciences librarians with public librarians involved in health information
• Learn about available resources for learning, networking, and outreach, including from MLA, PLA, and NNLM
• Overcome barriers to providing health information to the public
• Learn what others are doing to engage the public in health information
• Learn about national strategies and trends in areas of health disparities, social determinants of health, disease control, and prevention

The symposium will be held during the last day and a half of MLA’s  annual meeting at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia.

• 7:00 a.m., Tuesday, May 22, 2018, to
• noon, Wednesday, May 23, 2018

It is recommended to review the full details on the MLA conference website if interested in attending.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Space is limited to a maximum of 150 public librarians.