Help: Collection Development

Hi Everyone,

As a recent grad, I'm tackling my first major overhaul of the library - long overdue! I'm looking for suggestions to efficiently tackle a top to bottom thorough purging and replacement. So I don't empty the shelves, I'm doing two passes - 1989 and older and then a second round, 2000 and older. Hopefully I'll have replacements in so the second round won't leave skimpy shelves! Also looking for access to other rehabilitation hospital library catalogues that I could use as a benchmark and guide to be sure I am covering all that I need to.

TIA!

Another Intro

My name is Robb Mackes and I was Amy's partner in crime with the former Rehab Librarians SIG, so I'm very happy to see Amy continuing virtually what she started in the "real world." At the time, I was medical librarian at KMRREC (Kessler Medical Rehabilitation Research & Education Corporation) in West Orange, NJ. I have since moved on from that position (twice!) and am now DelMIRA Project Coordinator/Electronic Resources Librarian at the Delaware Academy of Medicine in Newark, DE. But as anyone who knows Amy can tell you, even though I'm not a rehab librarian any more, once she's got you hooked, you just don't want to walk away!

I'm a recent transplant to Delaware, having lived in the Pocono and Lehigh Valley areas of Pennsylvania all my life. For over 10 years, I commuted into NJ between 60 and 90 miles one way to work. I now live 7 miles from work and am loving it...especially as gas approaches $4/gallon here. I like to travel, camp, read, play Pinochle, and spend time with my friends and family.

Journals: Core List and Shared Lists

I read an e-mail from Val Strantzen (REBLs - Australia) in which she was talking about "compiling journals lists which we think appropriate for the AFRM Training in Rehabilitation Medicine Reading Lists." A number of years ago, Kate Kelly (formerly Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital - Boston, MA; currently, Royal College of Surgeons - Dublin, Ireland) and I published a core list of journals for rehabilitation collections in National Network. I have pondered updating this list and would be interested in knowing if this would have any value to the group. I've done the lion's share of the work in the past, so updating it would not be that difficult.

Also, I'd love to develop a list of "who owns what." That way, if we are in need of an article, we could direct the ILL request to one of our members via Docline (here in the States) OR assist our colleagues abroad via EDD. What do you think? If you are interested, you all have my work e-mail address and can start sending me those lists. I'll enter into an Excel spreadsheet and post on the Blog (or send to you individually if that's better).

Suggested Guidelines

I think we may need one or two very basic guidelines.  

1) DO NOT include your e-mail address in your posts.  This will leave you open to potential spamming.  You will be able to comment on posts and respond that way.  We want this to be an interactive community within the blogosphere.

2) Make sure your Subject line is descriptive, especially if you are seeking advice, assistance, etc.  That way people know it is a new topic.  

3) Suggest any additional guidelines to me.  I want this to be a collaborative effort.  I don't believe in draconian rules :)

Best,

Amy

Hello friends

Hello friends.

What a good idea! One of the delightful parts of being at the MLA conference was to realize that there are a bunch of medical librarians. And then to find out that although a lot are academic, not ALL are. There are actually others around just like us. How many others? I don't know, but it eases the sense of isolation and promotes a feeling of companionship to know that there are some other people in close to the same situation that I am.

I have just been hired by Drake Rehabilitation Center as their manager of medical libraries. This is my first professional position after graduation, so I feel pretty green, AND the MLS was all theoretical, so anyone looking for technical expertise and practical day-to-day management skills from me will find a steep learning curve and a lot of potential. My employers believe I can do this, and I find their trust flattering. Of course I CAN do this. It will just take a bit of proving over time before we both know it.

Their first priority is that I support their researchers with lit searches and the newest EBM standards. So far so good. Then I get to obtain collections and design a research library and a patient/family library. So wish me luck.

First. I know how to read Medlib, but I haven't figured out how to make any posts or requests. It's probably simple. How do I participate in this activity?

Barbara

Wonderful idea!

Amy, you're a gem to come up with this. For those of us who attended MLA this year, we know it was all about social networking, so I think this is a great idea for us rehab people to pool ideas. I'm Carol Stukey from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. I've been medical librarian here for 2 1/2 years, 20 hours a week--my boss is trying to get me more hours, but part-time does have its appeal. 

Stroke Prevention & Recovery: the ultimate video guide

This was reviewed in JAMA on 23/30 April 2008 and was given a great review. It's from New Zealand. My contact in Australia provided the following information, in case you're interested:

It is a 3 DVD set based on one of Valery Feigin's books: When lightning strikes: an illustrated guide to stroke prevention and recovery. HarperCollins, 2006.
Stroke Education Ltd can be contacted at: PO Box 59203, Mangere Bridge, Manukau 2151 New Zealand. PH +64 9 6369626
http://www.stroke-education.com/

Complete set of DVDs is $99.95

Thanks for doing this, Amy!

I have known Amy for many years now. I am really glad that she got this going. I think it will be fun and informative.
I am the Library Director at Gaylord Hospital in Wallingford, CT. I've been at this job for 11+ years, and previously worked in other hospital libraries, a junior college library and a law school library. My MLS is from Southern CT State University.
My family is greatest achievement. In addition to 3 great sons (35, 32 and 29) I have 2 grandchildren (5 and 2) and a husband of 37 years! I like to travel, read, and ride my bike and I am looking forward to being more involved in our state association in the future. I am wrapping up my second term as Secretary of CAHSL (CT Association of Health Sciences Librarians) and will become Vice-President next month.
Thanks again, Amy.

This is great!!!

Greetings from Daria Drobny @ the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan @ the Detroit Medical Center. I've been here for 38 years and if I stay 12 more years I'll retire in 2020. I manage a Learning Resources Center which includes a Staff Library, Patient Education Library and Media Center. We also provide services to nearly 30 satellite clinics.

I have 2 FTEs...I am fulltime and my staff is part-time. I have one delightful daughter who just received her Masters in Clinical Psychology and 2 cats. Enjoy gardening, walking and am learning to knit.

Looking forward to sharing ideas and resources.

Great Idea!

Hi! I am a librarian at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada - since Nov. 2007. I graduated from the University of Alberta with my MLIS fall of 2006. My first librarian position was a maternity leave, researching and supporting the research teams working on systematic reviews for the Alberta Research Centre for Child Health Evidence / University of Alberta / Capital Health Evidence-based Practice Center. Previously I had worked as a community pharmacist. Personally: I am married with two wonderful children (27 and 25), I am embarking (running concurrently) an independent information research business, enjoy camping and the outdoors, travelling, reading, sewing and knitting when I have a "free" moment. One day I hope to be able to afford and go to MLA.

A NEW BEGINNING!

A number of years ago, I began a Rehabilitation Hospitals SIG through the Hospital Libraries Section of the the Medical Library Association.  It was difficult to keep it going as many of the potential members never made it to the annual MLA meetings.  Given the myriad of ways that have emerged for communicating "virtually," it is time to try again.  We can, as librarians in rehabilitation hospitals around the world, share our expertise, suggest resources, aid with searches, and much more, using the technologies now available.  This is a first step.  I invite you to join this SIG and help create a new community of cooperation.

Please take a moment to introduce yourself.

I am the librarian - since 1994 - at Hospital for Special Care in New Britain, Connecticut, USA.  I began my career in public libraries, worked for Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. as a librarian, worked for a geriatric education center as inhouse librarian, before coming to HSC.  I am an active member of MLA and edit the Hospital Libraries Section newsletter, National Network.  On the personal side, I am married, the mother of two great young men (19, 25), enjoy being outdoors, traveling, reading, knitting (to name a few).  I am a graduate of the University of Connecticut and received an M.A. in library science from the University of Minnesota.

Now, it's your turn!