As part of the federal budget, the National Institutes of Health were given a mandate that all NIH funded research be deposited in PubMed Central within 12 months of publication. Many organizations and universities are scrambling to figure out how this will affect their operations and how they can comply with the mandate. Failure of an NIH funded researcher to deposit a research report (usually a journal article) in PubMed Central could result in a loss of current or future funding and could jeopardize future university NIH funding.
UofA wants to adopt a university-wide set of policies and procedures to insure that funding is not jeopardized. Carla Stoffle (Dean of University Libraries) and I met with Leslie Tolbert (UA Vice President for Research, Graduate Studies, and Economic Development) last week. The first outcome of this meeting is that Dan Lee from the Main Library is putting together a web page describing the options available to faculty. (The Association of Research Libraries and other groups have already started putting together informative lists, links and pages.) The web pages from the AHSL, Main and the VP for Research will all point to this new page. A 3D memo will be coming out from Carla, Dr. Tolbert and I informing faculty of the issue and their options. Carla and I are attending a meeting in Denver on March 10 to learn what resources the Greater Western Library Alliance has put together and will be talking with Dr. Tolbert again after that to discuss other methods of supporting faculty participation.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Friday, February 15, 2008
Joint Chapter Meeting
Last week the California, Nevada and Arizona chapters of the Medical Library Association held their joint meeting in Las Vegas and Jacque, Pat and I attended. I think each of us found it to be a valuable and useful meeting. Pat presented a paper on her research into the actual reading levels of “easy-to-read” medical information. Five SIRLS Knowledge River students attended the meeting with partial support from AHSL via our NLM grant. They presented a poster on the WeSearch project, which involved local high school students. (Pat, Annabelle and Mari all helped to support the students with this project.) The students met librarians from all over the West and charmed everyone they met. Jacque and I both moderated sessions and found the papers presented to be educational and sometimes inspirational. Another SIRLS student presented a paper on “visual searching” which discussed and demonstrated web search engines that present results visually, and systems for searching visual images. Jacque moderated a panel discussion on the future of hospital librarianship.
As you can see this meeting packed a lot into two days. I won’t go into detail about the three plenary speakers; Jim Cimino, MD from NLM who spoke on “infobuttons” in electronic health records systems, Mary Guinan, MD, PhD who spoke on her varied life in public health or Tom Bassler, PhD from the Medical University of South Carolina who described their amazing outreach program.
Jeanette is going to see if we can bring a little of the meeting to AHSL by arranging for you to see one or two of the presentations. Unfortunately that is about all of Las Vegas that we can bring back to you!
As you can see this meeting packed a lot into two days. I won’t go into detail about the three plenary speakers; Jim Cimino, MD from NLM who spoke on “infobuttons” in electronic health records systems, Mary Guinan, MD, PhD who spoke on her varied life in public health or Tom Bassler, PhD from the Medical University of South Carolina who described their amazing outreach program.
Jeanette is going to see if we can bring a little of the meeting to AHSL by arranging for you to see one or two of the presentations. Unfortunately that is about all of Las Vegas that we can bring back to you!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Systems vision and more on the budget
Systems “visioning”
One of the roles that everyone in the Systems Department plays is current awareness. They pay attention to new technologies and products and how they are being used or how they could be used in the library. With our Systems Department moving outside of the library and with no Systems Librarian, we need someone to fill this role. I have asked Kristy if she will help us. All of you may not know that she was the Head of Library Technology Services at the Medical College of Georgia before joining the AHSL-Phoenix. She will be keeping up with the latest trends in library technology and will be available to help us decide on the viability of new technology-related projects. Please feel free to call her with questions or ideas.
Budget woes begin
Dean Joiner has announced a plan to increase College of Medicine faculty salaries. This will be partially funded by “sweeping” vacant positions. I have been informally notified that we should not open any searches since at least one FTE vacancy will be taken. I have no more details right now.
One of the roles that everyone in the Systems Department plays is current awareness. They pay attention to new technologies and products and how they are being used or how they could be used in the library. With our Systems Department moving outside of the library and with no Systems Librarian, we need someone to fill this role. I have asked Kristy if she will help us. All of you may not know that she was the Head of Library Technology Services at the Medical College of Georgia before joining the AHSL-Phoenix. She will be keeping up with the latest trends in library technology and will be available to help us decide on the viability of new technology-related projects. Please feel free to call her with questions or ideas.
Budget woes begin
Dean Joiner has announced a plan to increase College of Medicine faculty salaries. This will be partially funded by “sweeping” vacant positions. I have been informally notified that we should not open any searches since at least one FTE vacancy will be taken. I have no more details right now.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Budget
Greg Fahey, the UA's liaison to the state legislature, has published his first state
government update of the new legislative session. You can find his take on the budget situation for the universities at:
http://externalrelations.arizona.edu/government_state_update.cfm
Although the Governor’s plan protects the universities, the legislature’s plan would involve severe cuts. Even the compromise expected could be difficult for us.
Related to this, Cindy and I met on Wednesday with Pat St. Germain, Assoc. Dean for Admin & Financial Affairs for the College of Medicine and Brenda Paulsen, Interim Asst. Dean for Admin & Financial Affairs for the COM in Phoenix. We were explaining how the collections budget for the library works and how we are using funds from Phoenix. We finally got confirmation that our estimate of how much money is available for collections is correct. However, we don't yet know if we will have to return money to the state due to the budget problem. I will continue to keep you posted.
government update of the new legislative session. You can find his take on the budget situation for the universities at:
http://externalrelations.arizona.edu/government_state_update.cfm
Although the Governor’s plan protects the universities, the legislature’s plan would involve severe cuts. Even the compromise expected could be difficult for us.
Related to this, Cindy and I met on Wednesday with Pat St. Germain, Assoc. Dean for Admin & Financial Affairs for the College of Medicine and Brenda Paulsen, Interim Asst. Dean for Admin & Financial Affairs for the COM in Phoenix. We were explaining how the collections budget for the library works and how we are using funds from Phoenix. We finally got confirmation that our estimate of how much money is available for collections is correct. However, we don't yet know if we will have to return money to the state due to the budget problem. I will continue to keep you posted.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
IT reorganization
Library Systems Department and Copy Technology Services
Yesterday the College of Medicine Information Technology Project Team, of which I am a member, met with staff from several departments to announce the beginning of the IT reorganization that has been in the planning stages for about a year. Although no changes take effect immediately, there will be a fairly rapid move to the new organizational structure over the next couple of months.
This is a very complex plan and many details are still being worked out. To summarize, the new COM organization will consist of three groups – Applications Development, Infrastructure Services and Finance & Administration. These groups will be led by Mike Griffith, Steven Wormsley and Paige Winkle.
Marcus, Stef and Ying will move into the new Applications Development group as “AHS Library Applications.” Shanna, Jose and Spencer will move into the Infrastructure Services group. Copy Technology Services will also move into the Infrastructure Group.
All of Biomedical Communications will be distributed through the new organization with web development, graphics, photography and some other media design going into the Applications group. Videoconferencing, TV production and engineering will be going into the infrastructure group.
The Office of Medical Computing will be distributed between Applications and Infrastructure. All of the academic computing group, recently led by Zach Hoffman, will move into Applications.
For the moment no one will be physically moving, although we can expect some folks to be shifted around in the future in order to be near to the others in their workgroups.
Any of the affected staff or I will be happy to try to answer any questions that you might have. As more details are worked out I will keep you informed.
Yesterday the College of Medicine Information Technology Project Team, of which I am a member, met with staff from several departments to announce the beginning of the IT reorganization that has been in the planning stages for about a year. Although no changes take effect immediately, there will be a fairly rapid move to the new organizational structure over the next couple of months.
This is a very complex plan and many details are still being worked out. To summarize, the new COM organization will consist of three groups – Applications Development, Infrastructure Services and Finance & Administration. These groups will be led by Mike Griffith, Steven Wormsley and Paige Winkle.
Marcus, Stef and Ying will move into the new Applications Development group as “AHS Library Applications.” Shanna, Jose and Spencer will move into the Infrastructure Services group. Copy Technology Services will also move into the Infrastructure Group.
All of Biomedical Communications will be distributed through the new organization with web development, graphics, photography and some other media design going into the Applications group. Videoconferencing, TV production and engineering will be going into the infrastructure group.
The Office of Medical Computing will be distributed between Applications and Infrastructure. All of the academic computing group, recently led by Zach Hoffman, will move into Applications.
For the moment no one will be physically moving, although we can expect some folks to be shifted around in the future in order to be near to the others in their workgroups.
Any of the affected staff or I will be happy to try to answer any questions that you might have. As more details are worked out I will keep you informed.
New website, new building, new books and new room!
New Website
Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard on the new look for our website! With its clean look and quick access to many of our information resources the site is sure to be popular with both students and faculty. The home page is as important as our front lobby and it’s what most library “visitors” will see first. We had a great kick-off “party” yesterday that attracted a lot of attention and moved a lot of popcorn. Thanks to everyone involved on the design, construction and promotion of the new site!
New Building in Phoenix
Last week Jacque, Kristy, Lindsey and I (via teleconference) attended a meeting of the planning committee for the Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB) on the Phoenix campus. A new, larger space for the library is planned for this building. The legislature has provided funding for planning the building but hasn’t yet provided funding for construction.
New Books Display
Mary Holcomb has worked with Javad to create a new book display in the lobby, outside of the new videoconference room. Tessie created a sign and the space looks bright and colorful. These books are available for immediate checkout.
Videoconference Room
On Wednesday the Administrative Team held its weekly meeting, the first in the new facility. Communication is so much easier when we can see Jacque and she can see us! This room is available for any meeting that involves participation from folks at both AHSL locations. Linda can schedule the room for your meetings.
Congratulations to everyone who worked so hard on the new look for our website! With its clean look and quick access to many of our information resources the site is sure to be popular with both students and faculty. The home page is as important as our front lobby and it’s what most library “visitors” will see first. We had a great kick-off “party” yesterday that attracted a lot of attention and moved a lot of popcorn. Thanks to everyone involved on the design, construction and promotion of the new site!
New Building in Phoenix
Last week Jacque, Kristy, Lindsey and I (via teleconference) attended a meeting of the planning committee for the Health Sciences Education Building (HSEB) on the Phoenix campus. A new, larger space for the library is planned for this building. The legislature has provided funding for planning the building but hasn’t yet provided funding for construction.
New Books Display
Mary Holcomb has worked with Javad to create a new book display in the lobby, outside of the new videoconference room. Tessie created a sign and the space looks bright and colorful. These books are available for immediate checkout.
Videoconference Room
On Wednesday the Administrative Team held its weekly meeting, the first in the new facility. Communication is so much easier when we can see Jacque and she can see us! This room is available for any meeting that involves participation from folks at both AHSL locations. Linda can schedule the room for your meetings.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Budget and 4th Floor
Budget
You may have heard that the governor and the legislature are beginning to look at solutions to the state budget deficit for this year and the budget for next year. It is too early for us to know how we will be affected. However, some sort of budget cut is coming. I have identified funds in our budget that can cover a moderate cut without harm to our collections or personnel budgets.
Fourth Floor
The College of Medicine is not making as much use of the fourth floor as they had anticipated. I have received approval from Dr. Malan and from Facilities to explore possible reconfigurations of this space in order to better meet the needs of the students. We all recognize that there is no funding identified for this project. However, some improvements may be possible with only minimal expense. I will keep you posted and will be asking for your opinion as I gather information from faculty and students.
Temporary Tattoos available
For those looking to make a statement about reading and/or libraries, take a look at:
http://www.mcphee.com/items/11696.html
You may have heard that the governor and the legislature are beginning to look at solutions to the state budget deficit for this year and the budget for next year. It is too early for us to know how we will be affected. However, some sort of budget cut is coming. I have identified funds in our budget that can cover a moderate cut without harm to our collections or personnel budgets.
Fourth Floor
The College of Medicine is not making as much use of the fourth floor as they had anticipated. I have received approval from Dr. Malan and from Facilities to explore possible reconfigurations of this space in order to better meet the needs of the students. We all recognize that there is no funding identified for this project. However, some improvements may be possible with only minimal expense. I will keep you posted and will be asking for your opinion as I gather information from faculty and students.
Temporary Tattoos available
For those looking to make a statement about reading and/or libraries, take a look at:
http://www.mcphee.com/items/11696.html
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