MLA-Phil

Philadelphia Regional Chapter of MLA

This report covers the period between April 2003 and November 2003. There are 181 Chapter members.

GOAL 1: RECRUITMENT, MEMBERSHIP AND LEADERSHIP IN THE PROFESSION

Recognition. The Chapter honored member achievements by presenting the following awards at the Annual Business Meeting on April 29, 2003: Certificate of Appreciation, Chapter Achievement Award, and Grant Program for Post-Masters Students. The names of award winners are available on the Web (http://www.mlaphil.org/awards.html). Additionally, the Randy Brenner Consumer Health Award has been established in recognition of outstanding contribution to consumer health information services and patient education. One person has been awarded $300 under the Grant Program for Professional Development, which is given twice annually. The individual uses the funds to help cover the costs of attending a professional conference or a continuing education workshop.

Recruitment. There has been a 12% increase in Chapter membership in one year. Also, the Membership Committee annually attends a professional association membership meeting at Drexel University. The members explain about our association and use the forum to recruit new members. A similar offer has been made to Clarion University of Pennsylvania, but a response is pending.

Mentoring. To date, two Chapter members are registered as mentors in the MLA Mentoring Database.

National Participation. Jo-Ann Babish is serving on the National Program Committee for the upcoming conference in Washington, DC. Anne Seymour received a nomination for the MLA Nominating Committee.

GOAL 2: LIFE LONG LEARNING

Continuing Education. A variety of continuing education courses were offered at the QuintEssential Conference. The list of courses is available on the conference website (http://www.quintmeeting.org/ce.html). The MLA Health Literacy teleconference was held on November 7, 2003. The Expert Searching teleconference offered by MLA is scheduled for March 10, 2004, while two NLM taught PubMed training sessions are scheduled for March 21 and 22, 2004. A Chapter program from November 2002, Communicating with Physicians for Librarians, will be offered as a Continuing Education course at the 2004 MLA national meeting in Washington, DC.

Programming. A variety of programs were offered at the QuintEssential Conference. The list of programs is available on the conference website (http://www.quintmeeting.org/program.html). A roundtable program is being planned for March.

GOAL 3: ADVOCACY

Promotion. A drawing was held for a free membership to MLA by the Membership Chair on November 24, 2003. It was drawn from the names of all Chapter members in good standing. The winner was Sheila Logan-Wyner.

Communication. The Chapter’s newsletter, the Chronicle, keeps members informed, as does the Chapter listserv and website.

Cooperation. On October 26-28, 2003, the Chapter co-sponsored a Quintessential Conference in Philadelphia, PA. Three other MLA Chapters (Middle-Atlantic, New York/New Jersey, and Pittsburgh Regional) and one SLA Chapter (Philadelphia) also co-sponsored the event. The Chapter had many members serving on various committees that worked hard in the planning this conference.

GOAL 4: CREATING AND COMMUNICATING OUR KNOWLEDGE

Web Development. The Chapter website added features such as board member photographs. We are attempting to streamline the membership update process, so that when there is a change in information in our member database it will also update our online directory. Additionally, the Chapter Webmaster updated a majority of the QuintEssential Conference website as the conference developed (http://www.quitmeeting.org).

Publishing. The Chronicle is published three times a year and Communication Committee actively solicits articles from Chapter members. Also, Brad Long has been contacted by the MLA Book Panel to inquire about developing his Communicating with Physicians for Librarians Continuing Education course into a Quick Guide.

GOAL 5: BUILDING A NETWORK OF PARTNERS

Other Chapters. The Chapter co-sponsored the QuintEssential Conference with three other MLA Chapters (Middle-Atlantic, New York/New Jersey, and Pittsburgh Regional) and one SLA Chapter (Philadelphia).

Other Organizations. The Chapter Chair will be participating in a panel discussion at an American Medical Writers Association, Delaware Valley Chapter Freelance Workshop on January 17, 2004.

Support of Other Institutions. The Chapter Chair was consulted by the Library Director of the Dover (DE) Public Library about contracting for a Consumer Health Librarian position. The position has been provided through the Delaware Academy of Medicine and funded through state tobacco money.

MOTION

This report is informational and requires no action by the Board of Directors.

Chapter Officers:
Chair: Bradley A. Long
Chair-Elect: Lenore Hardy
Treasurer: Stephanie Ferretti
Secretary: Melanie Cedrone
Council Representative: Susan Couch
Council Alternate: Marion C. Chayes

Submitted by Bradley A. Long