Meet Your Fellow Chapter Member: Deb Miller, AHIP

edited by Jo-Ann Babish

1.  Description of professional position.

Deb Miller, AHIP

I am a one-person-librarian (OPL) in a two-hospital health system (Summit Health, which includes Chambersburg and Waynesboro Hospitals). I serve physicians, staff, a large student population, and the general public.  My responsibilities include literature searches, interlibrary loan, purchasing, cataloging, processing and providing audio-visual services to all of my patrons.  I serve on the Patient Education Committee, the CME Committee, and formerly served on the Ethics Committee. The library is a part of the Education Department, so I introduce our databases to all new employees during orientation.  I teach classes to nurses and students on evidence-based medicine and our various databases.  I give presentations to high school students on a regular basis about medical librarianship and give workshops to community senior members on how to find reliable health information.

2.  Past professional experience.

I have been in my current position for twelve years.  Before obtaining my MSLS from Clarion University I was a school librarian.  My positions included libraries in a high school, a middle school, and an elementary school for fifteen years.  I was a technical librarian at Three Mile Island during the “clean-up.”  I have worked as a volunteer in libraries since elementary school and knew for certain I wanted to be a librarian since the age of 14.

3.  What do you find most interesting about your work?

I learn something new every day whether it is in the medical or technical field.  No two days are ever alike.  I love variety and this is the perfect job for me.

4.  What qualities or traits are most helpful in your work?

Since I am an OPL and my desk sits in the middle of the library, I would say the ability to multi-task and prioritize is the trait that serves me best.  I would also mix in a splash of natural curiosity, a pinch of always looking to try something new, and a dash of good listening skills.

5.  What do you enjoy doing for fun?

I love to travel.  I am currently trying to talk my husband of 32 years into going on a camel trek in Morocco.  I helped to start the biking club at our hospital that now has over 200 members and meets every Tuesday night during the spring and summer.  I also kayak, swim, and hike.  When I can sit still long enough, I like to read and quilt.  I am currently working on a quilt for Amy and Dena’s MLA/Washington project  < http://warmupandread.blogspot.com/2009/08/wrap-introduction-calling-all-medical.html>.

6.  Is there anything about you that others might be surprised to know?

I recently completed my first sprint triathlon at age 55.  I competed to honor my friend who is battling breast cancer—she competed in an Iron Man triathlon two months post-double mastectomy.  I won my age group and beat the participants in the age group below mine.  It was a pleasant surprise and now I am hooked.

7.  Why would you encourage members to become actively involved in the Philadelphia Regional Chapter?

This is a hard one for me.  I live 2 ½ hours from Philadelphia.  My hospital has cut all travel so I try to keep up via the website and the newsletter.  I was fortunate enough to be able to help on the Hospitality Committee when MLA was in Philadelphia and met many other wonderful librarians from the chapter.
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