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LAC June 14, 2011

LIBRARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE

MEETING MINUTES
June 14, 2011 7:30 AM
C1800

Members present: C. Robinson (chair), Timothy Cooper, Michael Darowish, Ali Jaffry, Stephanie Patton, Bogdan Prokopczyk, Joan Ruffle, Vicky Schirm, Brandon Smith, Justin Sloane, Philip Wilson, Zhaohia Yang

Library faculty: Nancy Adams, David Brennan, Tamara McMahon

Apologies: Rena Kass

Cynthia, Robinson, the Director of the Harrell Health Sciences Library and chair of the Library Advisory Committee opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. Refreshments were provided.

1. Library Update

  • Cynthia introduced Tamara McMahon, Emerging Technologies Librarian who started with the library on May 2, 2011.
  • Budget – No news regarding final budget numbers from the State or institution. We do partner heavily with University Park with regard to collections. Joan Ruffle commented that a worst case scenario is to hopefully keep what we have but add nothing new. David Brennan replied that the collections are never static and we look to see usage stats constantly. Joan Ruffle asked if budgets restrictions would affect staff in the library, Cynthia responded that we have one of the smallest staffs at any academic medical center of this size. Michael Darowish questioned seat restricted costs as opposed to unlimited. David responded that this is IP and seat based, and the number of seats depends on the vendor. Zhaohia Yang asked about budgets and the relationship with University Park, Cynthia replied that we have a separate budget.
  • UpToDate was discussed, it is a clinical tool and the library was able to successfully negotiate the subscription for the next years, should major budget cuts be implemented, then UpToDate is a subscription that the library would have to consider cancelling.
  • LibGuides was discussed, Michael Darrowish asked about the lack of password protection in LibGuides. Nancy Adams responded that password protection would have to be at the title level, not at the LibGuides level. LibGuides are a library tool. A tool to increase access, share information that is there, it is NOT a tool strictly to tailor and provide access to a specific department.

2. Frankenstein Exhibit

  • A traveling exhibit from the National Library of Medicine on Frankenstein will come to Penn State Hershey August 29 – October 8, 2011
  • The idea behind the Frankenstein Exhibit to talk about the interaction of Science and Research.
  • Brandon Smith asked about the cost of the exhibit during this time of budget restraints.
  • Cynthia responded that the cost to the library is minimal and is being funded by our Gift Fund. The library is also partnering with the Department of Humanities and the Kienle Center for Humanistic Medicine
  • The exhibit will be part of the special events during the Alumni Weekend.

3. Harrell HSL updating our Strategic Plan – Seeking input from committee. The question asked: What is important? What do you value?

  • Philip Wilson asked about any other resources that may be cut in addition to UpToDate.
  • Brandon Smith stated for many clinicians the library is “what I can access online very quickly” or what journals can I read at home or in the office? Also stated that UpToDate with occasional use of Harrisons is what the medical students use.
  • Justin Sloane mentioned that both Dynamed and Epocrates are used by students.
  • Drs. Darowish and Prokopczyk mentioned PubMed as being a reliable source online.
  • Vicky Schirm talked about the Liaison Program and how useful it is to NRC and beyond, as nurses come to the library to check policies and procedures that are evidence-based.
  • Vicky also stated that her area is the staff nurse clinicians, and use UpToDate.
  • Cynthia stated that that approximately approx 40% of questions asked at the reference desk are IT problems.
  • Fauzia Mahr asked about books and journals for Psychiatry.

Meeting adjourned at 8:30 AM