Introduction
Welcome to the AAHSL web site. While we believe our web site is easy to navigate, we like to call your attention to special initiatives, publications and similar information that may appeal to you. Most importantly, we want to make sure you receive the information you are seeking. If you have questions, please contact the following:
For navigation, other technological issues or information you cannot locate, please contact:
James Shedlock, AAHSL Information Management Officer
Director, Galter Health Sciences Library, Northwestern University
j-shedlock@northwestern.edu
Voice: 312-503-8133
For information about membership and to purchase publications, please contact:
Marlis Korber, Executive Director, AAHS:
aahsl@sbims.com
Voice: (206) 367-8704
Information for Deans, University Librarians, and Other Administrators
AAHSL has produced several significant publications of potential interest to higher level administrators:
- Recruiting and Selecting Academic Health Sciences Library Directors: a Guide
http://www.aahsl.org/Publications/Recruitment_Guide_2005.pdf
The Recruiting Guide is particularly aimed at Deans of medical schools, university librarians and other administrators responsible for the recruitment and selection of the academic health sciences library director. Recruitment will likely be a significant administrative issue in the years ahead. Changing demographics in the library and information professions suggest a major turnover of the current director population. This guide is designed to assist chief administrators in defining the process that recruits your next library director.
- The Annual Statistics of Medical School Libraries in the United States and Canada
http://www.aahsl.org/Publications/about_stats.cfm
The Annual Stats provides data gathered from three major surveys: a general survey on library operations including information about collections, services and expenditures; a salary survey of librarians and information professionals working in academic health sciences libraries; and a descriptive survey that produces data on the number of users and educational programs served, space information and related information that is only collected every five years due to the lack of major change. The Annual Stats have been collected for over 25 years, so trend data is readily available. Each member library has online access to the data and also receives a paper copy of the annual survey results. Deans and administrators should contact their library director for specific data. The publication is available for purchase by non-members at $250 per print copy; online access is not available for purchase by non-members. Contact association headquarters for more information.
- Building on Success
http://www.aahsl.org/Key_Initiatives/CTFprint.pdf
Building on Success is the association’s vision for change and development of the academic health sciences library profession. This document outlines the challenges facing academic health sciences libraries and identifies successful responses to those challenges. It also identifies opportunities for collaboration and sharing with units of the academic medical center, the university, and other related professional groups.
Information for Researchers
In response to the need for skilled guidance in identifying scholarly information, the association has developed a guide to responsible literature searching aimed particularly at researchers.
- Responsible Literature Searching
http://www.hsls.pitt.edu/about/news/newsimages/rls.html
“The Responsible Literature Searching for Research module is an instructional tool to teach researchers the fundamentals of responsible literature searching for research practice.
This module was developed by the Health Sciences Library System (HSLS) with support from a contract granted through a cooperative agreement between the Association of American Medical Colleges, and the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. HSLS' application was sponsored by the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries. Primary content developer is Charles Wessel, MLS, HSLS Reference Librarian….”
Information for Health Sciences Librarians and Information Professionals
AAHSL has made a concerted effort to develop the next generation of academic health sciences library directors. Its leadership program provides a continuum of opportunities for career growth and development. This program consists of a CE course, scholarships for leadership development and a fellowship sponsored by the NLM and AAHSL.
- Medical Library Association CE Course, CE 264, Library Director: Knowledge, Skills and Career Paths
http://cech.mlanet.org/node/231
This half-day, face-to-face course is designed to introduce attendees to the issues of becoming an academic health sciences library director. The course touches on four key areas: self-awareness relevant to the skills, qualifications and expectations required of a library director, the politics involved in being a library director, the library director’s role in budgeting, and the process of being hired to be a library director.
- Leadership Scholarships
http://www.aahsl.org/Applications_Awards_Scholarships/introduction.cfm
AAHSL provides funding for a number of scholarships to assist librarians interested in developing their leadership skills. Read reports of past scholarship awardees to get an idea of the opportunities available to librarians and information professionals.
- The NLM/AAHSL Leadership Fellowship
http://www.aahsl.org/Applications_Awards_Scholarships/
NLM_AAHSL_Leadership_Fellows_2008.pdf
The fellowship is a year-long program designed to prepare individuals for application as an academic health sciences library director. A number of meetings, online sessions and related activities form a curriculum that culminates in a two-week, hands-on visit at the library of the fellow’s mentor. Fellows and mentors form a bond that aids the fellow’s career development long after the fellowship is over.
Information for the General Public
AAHSL does not collect or publish health information directed to the general public. Rather, many AAHSL member libraries serve their local communities through the provision of consumer-oriented information services or do so in conjunction with their affiliated hospitals, patient education centers or hospital libraries. To see if a local collection is near you, check the AAHSL membership directory http://www.aahsl.org/Membership_Directory/index.cfm.
An excellent source for online health information directed to the general public is MedlinePlus, http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ . MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. It provides health information selected from numerous government agencies and other health-related organizations.
Another excellent resource that will help the general public understand the language of medicine and health care can be found at MLANET, the web site of the Medical Library Association . This resource is called Deciphering Medspeak: http://www.mlanet.org/resources/medspeak/ . Here you will find a number of online brochures that explain the terms most often used about health conditions. In addition, the Medical Library Association provides its Top Ten Most Useful web sites for finding information about health.
For more guidance on finding other online health information resources, contact your local libraries for assistance.
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