I just wanted to update the SIG on programming for MLA '06 in Phoenix. Yes, even without having attended those "fun" program planning meetings at MLA '05 (but thanks a million to Sally Harvey for gathering the info she did!) I was able to add our name to 3 programs. They are:
(co-sponsored with History of Health Sciences and Pharmacy & Drug Information Sections, and the Mental Health SIG; Contributed Papers, Contributed Posters, and Skits)
Perceptions and treatment of the mentally ill (formerly termed mad or insane) have changed. Papers, skits, or posters may cover topics, persons, or institutions involved with these transformations including pharmacotherapy; stigma; medicolegal information (insanity defense, imprisonment); deinstitutionalization; definitions (e.g., homosexuality was previously considered a psychiatric disorder); or preserving unique or historic library collections about these topics.
Papers, posters, or skits showing the transformation of how society or medicine has viewed mental illness. A psychiatrist who is also an historian will present a paper on changes in pharmacotherapy.
(By the way, we were personally asked to join onto this program, due not only because we're cool but we can also pull off a fabulous skit performance that gets people talking!)
(co-sponsored with Leadership and Management, Corporate Info. Services, Health Association Libraries, and Tech Services Sections; Contributed Papers, Contributed Posters, and Invited Speakers in an Integrated Room Setting)
As libraries evolve, library staff must evolve. This program's focuses on our evolving profession, creation of preemptive change, our role as change agents, and the influence of societal change on our work. Further, this program will focus on achieving necessary changes while maintaining stability and continuity in our organizations and the profession.
SUBMISSION QUESTIONS/REQUIREMENTS: Should librarians develop different skill sets and take on nontraditional roles? How do we influence users' perceptions of libraries? How can library managers facilitate positive growth and change? What societal changes influence us most?
(I jumped on this one as I thought that any discussion of change should be MORE than technological changes, thus the "societal changes" angle. I really hope that our friends from MA, VT, or Canada in particular might have some great presentation about how same-sex marriage's effect on the library as an organization (maybe from a managerial or HR perspective) or the higher profile of GLBTs in society and if that has affected your library for good, bad, or indifference. Come on, get creative!)
(co-sponsored with Relevant Issues, who rock; Contributed Papers, Invited Presentations)
Have you taken a stand on a library concern, an ethics problem, a medical issue, a breaking news story, or a world event—and made it professionally and personally relevant in your library and/or your life? Take the time to tell us how to make one small step for change.
SUBMISSION QUESTIONS/REQUIREMENTS: Send us your good examples of how you saw a problem and showcased it as a relevant issue in your library or program and share with colleagues how you handle the concerns of today's world
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE SUBMIT AN ABSTRACT IF YOU'VE GOT ONE IN YOU! I'm excited about these programs and I think we continuing to gain respect from sections and SIGs alike in our contributions to the programming at MLA. Let's make MLA '06 another good one and make Sally Harvey look like she's all that when MLA comes to her town (OK, she already is all that, but a girl can never get enough "all that" moments.)
Hope all is well in your world,
Michael Scott
Manager of Library Services
University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview Library
This page was last updated on August 31, 2005. Credits