Andrea Kenyon

I am delighted to tell you about some exciting opportunities for Chapter member involvement and professional growth. Participating in Chapter activities give members the chance to develop and hone library and leadership skills in a supportive environment.

Committee participation is an excellent way to get involved. We would like to engage more members in helping our new Website Chair, Ene Belleh, enhance the Chapter’s webpages. Have ideas for Chapter programs or continuing education? Do you enjoy planning and organizing events? The Program and Continuing Education Committee Chairs would welcome your assistance. Fundraising and membership cultivation are other areas of Chapter involvement that would benefit the Chapter and provide you with valuable development experience. These are just a few examples of rewarding ways to benefit from Chapter membership.

Another way to get involved is through conference planning. I am pleased to announce that our Chapter will be participating in a joint library health information conference with three other MLA chapters to be held in Baltimore, Maryland in the fall of 2012. Conference participation offers our Chapter members a chance to gain experience submitting posters, serving as presenters and moderators and networking with a larger group of health information professionals. Priscilla Stephenson, Chief of Library Service at the VA, has agreed to serve as the Philadelphia Regional Chapter’s representative to the conference planning team. This is a huge undertaking and many volunteers are needed to help plan and implement the conference. With your help we have every expectation that this conference will be a valuable opportunity for networking, collaboration and professional education. Please contact Priscilla and let her know how you might help with the conference.

I want to personally invite each of you to attend the Philadelphia Regional Chapter’s 60th Annual Meeting and Reception on April 6 at Pennsylvania Hospital, starting at 4 p.m. Program Chair Gary Kaplan has invited a speaker to describe The Public Health Management Corporation’s Community Health Database. The Public Health Management Corporation is a leading nonprofit provider of public health resources. The evening promises to be a very special one in a beautiful, historic setting.

In the last Chronicle, I sought your feedback about the Chapter–what you value as a member and the direction you feel the Chapter needs to go in order to help you on your career path. Questions include: How can we engage you in Chapter activities? How can we engage members outside of Philadelphia? Should we merge with another Chapter? I was hoping to initiate a dialogue. So far I have not been overwhelmed with responses. Please take a moment to reflect on what the Chapter means to you and send me an email at alkenyon@verizon.net

Wishing you a productive and happy spring!

Andrea

Despite its size (the smallest Chapter of the MLA in geographic size and members), the Philadelphia Regional Chapter has had a proud history of serving its members and its members serving their Chapter. The Chapter continues to serve as a forum for education, networking, and collegial support. It provides opportunities for skill-building and professional growth.  Changes in the world at large, in librarianship, and in the perception of organizational membership constantly challenge me to think carefully about what the Chapter should be doing for its members and what the members should be doing to further the aims of the Chapter. The words I mentioned above come to mind.

Acceptance. I accept that things are changing and I want to position the Chapter as not only being receptive to change, but also as being part of the momentum for change. We need to provide members with the tools they need not only to accept change but also to serve as change agents. We as members need to accept the fact that if we don’t provide feedback to the Chapter Board and MLA national about our ideas/needs for Chapter activities and the direction of the MLA organization, change may not reflect our vision. We also have to accept that if we don’t participate in Chapter activities or volunteer to serve on committees there may be no reason for a Chapter.

Opportunity. I am taking this opportunity to seek your input and advice in making the Chapter what you feel it needs to be in order to help you on your career path. How can the Chapter serve as a key voice for medical librarianship and information professionals (or whatever name you call yourself) in the region? You have the opportunity to become more engaged in the Chapter by serving on committees, posting interesting information on our Facebook page, asking advice on our email list and participating in activities. We are planning a four-Chapter joint conference in the fall of 2012. Now is your chance to block out some time to get involved.

Resistance and Avoidance. I have resisted and frankly avoided until now the idea of discussing the option of merging the Philadelphia Regional Chapter with another Chapter. But I felt it is important to address the elephant in the room if only to feed him some peanuts and move on. There are a number of benefits to remaining small but there also benefits to merging.  I want to know what you think.

Rest assured that the Chapter is financially in good shape. Membership is moving up but has room to grow.  What continues to challenge us is the underwhelming participation in committees and activities. The Board is an amazing, committed group of professionals that makes my job easy. But how can we engage you in Chapter activities? What will make the Chapter a priority? Furthermore, how can we engage members in our region outside of Philadelphia?  There have been several ideas proposed including plans to create a journal club, provide more webcasting, and offer a meeting in the middle, southern or western part of our region. What suggestions do you have?

I know that there are more questions than answers. In my next column I hope to share some answers- hopefully, responses from my readers and colleagues. Email me at alkenyon@verizon.net or call me at 610-626-6119. Better yet, post your thoughts on the email list or Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/mlaphil> and start a dialogue. Now that’s participation!

Speaking of changes, I will be leaving my position at The College of Physicians of Philadelphia on January 3, 2011, after more than twenty-five years.  I am looking forward to a new chapter in my career, including revising my consumer health book for public librarians and continuing as Chapter Chair. I will have more time to have lunch with you and continue this discussion. So call me.

Andrea Kenyon
Chair, 2010-2011

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