The Chronicle is the chapter’s official newsletter, published three times annually.

the Chronicle
Volume 28, No. 1, Winter 2010
In this issue…

PDF of entire issue

• From the Chair
• Save the Date: MLA-Phil Annual Meeting
• From the Editor
• Seeking Award Nominations
• Now’s the Time to Register for Local CE Events
• CAPHIS Outstanding Consumer Health Information Service Award
• Meet Your Fellow Chapter Member: Gina Cacace
• Member & Library News
• Update: The Value of Library and Information Services in Patient Care
• Be Bold–Blog!
• Get Connected
• About MLA’s Medical Informatics Section
• TechnoHumanist Corner: Evernote
• Development Report
• Calendar
• the Chronicle Editor and Staff

Cynthia McClellan

Wow! Have you found yourself humming the tune “Let it Snow,” as I have? With record-setting snowfall, 2010 certainly has supplied plenty of “winter wonderland” so far. And, while the snow may have kept us indoors—and often telecommuting—this period of quiet has provided the opportunity to recharge. For me, the winter has provided the time to clear out some clutter, complete existing projects, learn a few new things, and also to consider and plan new undertakings. And although (as of this writing) we are still chilled by Punxsutawney Phil’s shadow, the first inklings of spring are all around. To the first fat robin I saw in my yard last week, to the commencement of the Flower Show, it surely won’t be very long before our crocuses start popping up.

It is my pleasure to report that the Board has discussed the topic of merger with another MLA Chapter at length. We were unanimous in our desire to remain as we are for the foreseeable future. While we may be a small chapter, we are certainly a unique and lively organization, headquartered in a historically significant location, abundant in healthcare information resources and leaders.

In other Board news, we welcome Christina Daley to the Board (Director, Health Sciences Library at Lancaster General Health) as Development Co-Chair. Christina volunteered for this position in response to a request from Development Chair Ellen Justice in advance of her maternity leave. Thanks to you both for your contributions, and for coordinating the sharing of these duties. (And of course, we all extend Ellen and her family the happiest of wishes with their new bundle of joy!)

I also want again to say how much I appreciate our Board members for all of their “thankless” work. Their innumerable “behind the scenes” efforts greatly benefit our Chapter. I am very grateful for everyone’s recent hard work on revamping our organizational Policies & Procedures Manual as a dynamic wiki. Progress on updating this publication is moving swiftly, and we anticipate that it will be very helpful to us and to future Boards of Directors. Sincere thanks to all of you!

Additionally, I am pleased to report that:

• The final financials on 3 by the Sea have been issued. An astounding $18,150 was gained in overall profits, translating to $3993 (22%) for our Philadelphia Chapter–a very nice boost to our Treasury!
• We are offering a $500 Continuing Education grant this year to one of our members.
• We were able to contribute $2000 in support of the Middle Atlantic Region of NN/LM’s important study on “The Value of Library and Information Services in Patient Care.”
• Furthermore, we have pledged our support and participation for an upcoming series of MAR Leadership Institutes, to be coordinated among three Mid-Atlantic Region Chapters: NY/NJ, UNY/OC (Upstate New York and Ontario Chapter) and our Chapter. Anne Seymour will serve on the Planning Committee. (Details will follow as they become available.)

In closing, I would like to remind you to visit MLAPhil.org for updates and events. We will be hosting an MLA Distance Education Webcast on March 24^th, entitled “Understanding the Electronic Health Record Maze and Health Sciences Librarians’ Roles” <http://www.mlaphil.org/wp/ce/2010/02/18/ehr-webcast-will-be-march-24th/>. We will also be posting details on our upcoming Annual Meeting, which is shaping up to be an informative and sumptuous event. And, as ever, I urge you to become involved through volunteering with our organization. It’s a great way to do something worthwhile for our profession, and to get to know some of your wonderful colleagues. Curious? I welcome any questions you might have—feel free to contact me any time.

Wishing everyone a safe and happy winter’s end, and a wonderful new spring beginning (soon)!

Cynthia McClellan
Chair, 2009-2010

Speaking of the Calendar, thanks to Sheryl Panka-Bryman who stepped in as guest editor of the Calendar for this issue while Janet Clinton is out on medical leave.  Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Janet.

This is also the season of deadlines: Please be sure to submit your nominations for chapter awards and grants to the nominations team chaired by Etheldra Templeton.  Awards will be presented at our Chapter’s Annual Meeting in late April.

Events like Continuing Education activities and our Annual Meeting are often made possible by the generous donations of sponsors.  Christina Daley provides the development report in this issue. Christina is stepping in, as Ellen Justice is busy with a “special project” of her own—read all about it in Member & Library News, edited by JoAnn Babish.

Our Chapter is helping to support a research study regarding the value of library and information services inpatient care.  An update on the project, undertaken by the Middle Atlantic Region of NN/LM, is provided herein.

Nationally, you can apply to become an official blogger for the MLA ‘10 Annual Meeting.  You can also find out who else will be attending and make contact with individuals with similar interests using the CrowdVine social networking tool provided by MLA.

You can also get involved in the many special Sections of MLA, such as the Medical Informatics Section described by Jeanette de Richemond in this issue.  And to manage the research you might do regarding informatics (or any other topic, for that matter), check out Evernote, explained by our very own TechnoHumanist, Carlos Rodriguez.

Welcome to new member and soon to be new librarian Gina Cacace, who is profiled in this issue.  If you have a particular interest in being profiled, let us know, whether you are a new member or not.

And if you have any interest in helping out on the Chronicle, let me know.  We can always use folks to help us edit photos or upload photos and articles to the website.  Our particular need is for someone to take the web material and format it newsletter-style.  If you have those skills, contact me or Gary Kaplan, our webmaster.

Rachel

The deadline for the next issue of the Chronicle (Volume 28, No. 2)  is July 1, 2010.

by Etheldra Templeton

The Nominating Committee seeks member recommendations for 2010 Chapter Awards. Award and grant descriptions and application forms are posted on the Chapter website http://www.mlaphil.org/wp/15/grants-and-awards/. Recommend an admired colleague or your deserving self.

Nominating Committee members are Etheldra Templeton (PCOM), Barbara Kuchan (Temple), and Gary Childs (Drexel).

Send recommendations to etheldrat@pcom.edu.

The deadline for award suggestions and completed applications is Monday, March 15th.

• Beatrice Davis Education Award provides an award of $600 to a student pursuing a career in health science librarianship.
• Grant Program for Professional Development provides a grant of up to $500 to support a librarian’s continuing education in health science librarianship.
• Randy Brenner Memorial Consumer Health Award is given to an individual or group in recognition of outstanding contributions to consumer health information services and patient education.
• Robert Preston Lee Memorial Award is given to an individual (or group of individuals) in recognition of outstanding contribution in the application of technology to the delivery of technical services.

Please contribute your ideas. The awards are a great opportunity to honor special individuals in our accomplished membership.

Etheldra Templeton
Nominating Committee Chair/Parliamentarian, 2009-2010
215-871-6486
EtheldraT@pcom.edu