Feb
27
Posted by benniefinch on February 27th, 2026
Posted in: Blog

Holly Nardini, Joan Stokes, Jeff Orrico
This guest post was submitted by CAHSL members Kristina D’Agostino and Amanda Doughty.
The most recent CAHSL (Connecticut Association of Health Sciences Librarians) meeting was held in person at the Wallingford Public Library on December 5, 2025. The program featured a panel discussion examining how current challenges facing libraries are affecting different sectors of librarianship. The panelists represented diverse library settings, including medical, Holly Nardini, Interim Director from Cushing/Whitney Medical Library at Yale University, academic, Jeff Orrico, University Librarian from Ryan Matura Library at Sacred Heart University, and public, Joan Stokes, Shelton Library System Director from the Shelton Public Libraries. The panel addressed both pre-submitted and prepared questions, with discussion topics including artificial intelligence, funding constraints, and hiring trends. In addition to the educational program, the event included a membership meeting, during which there was information shared on NAHSL, NNLM, and the potential creation or purchase of CAHSL merchandise.
The organization also celebrated some notable achievements, including a CAHSL membership donation to the NAHSL scholarship table (with Anne Romano named as the recipient) and the awarding of emeritus status to Donna Belcinski. Attendance for the event totaled 23 participants, including the three panelists.

Programming Co-Chair Kristina D’Agostino moderating the panel presentation.
Do you support health sciences in your library? Are you a student looking to get involved or interested in learning more about health sciences librarianship? Reach out to your local MLA chapter or join a community of interest with NNLM Region 7.