On this page I have selected artifacts which I feel are representative of the SLIM program outcomes and values. As I have followed this course of study, I have applied what I have learned in my coursework to the field of Medical Librarianship and I have found that the theories of learning and information transfer apply to special libraries and populations, such as medical students and physicians. To actually see this knowledge applied in a work setting has made my SLIM experience a "capstone" one.
Artifact #1
Outcome - Articulate a philosophy of client-centered information services based on the epistemological and ethical foundations of the library and information professions.
Value - Exhibit professional behavior, knowledge, and attitudes, based on client-centered philosophy and ethical guidelines;
LI803: Examining Information Transfer Patterns in Osteopathic Medicine
In the class LI803, there is a focus on gaining a better understanding of the theory behind information transfer and as I wrote this paper, I took a specific topic of Osteopathic Medicine, and showed the creation, production, dissemination, diffusion, utilization, organization, preservation, and destruction of the current understanding of Osteopathic Medicine. I work at an Osteopathic University library and this paper gave me a better understanding of how attitudes about this philosophy of medicine has changed and how the library and information profession must adhere to a philosophy that is client-centered. At an Osteopathic University library, this means that there needs to be a clear understanding of the information transfer process among students, faculty and librarians.
LI813: Analysis of Three Reference Interviews
This course, LI813, helped me to critique the information retrieval process in a reference setting. For this paper I analyzed three reference interviews and came to some conclusions about professionalism and client-based service. Because I work in a reference position, I structured my reference question around a medical theme, and in the back of my mind know how I would have answered the question. I was able to see how reference librarians use neutral and open-ended questioning, non-verbal communication, and active listening skills to create a client-centered information exchange. This has truly helped me in my daily work and I am a better reference librarian today.
Artifact #2
Outcome - Explain and apply interdisciplinary theories and models relevant to managing library and information service agencies.
Value - Exhibit professional behavior, knowledge, and attitudes, based on client-centered philosophy and ethical guidelines;
LI866: NIH Public Access Policy Issues
The National Institutes of Health has taken the lead for implementing government mandates for access to scientific information and in LI866 I researched the progress of the current policy and how it has affected medical libraries, publishers, and researchers. It is important that libraries have an understanding of the processes involved with publishing government funded research and what access issues affect their clients.
LI820: Medical Tourism: A Case Study
In LI820, we studied international information policy and I was able to research the topic of medical tourism and complete a case study focused on international regulating entities that have attempted to create safeguards for patients seeking medical treatment in other countries. This experience helped me to realize the importance of information service agencies that serve the publics needs in the medical industry.
Artifact #3
Outcome - Conduct an information needs assessment, and design and evaluate customized information services and products
based on those needs.
Value - Value self and others, i.e., possess confidence in one’s decisions and value diversity in its many forms;
LI827: Crafting a Preservation Policy for a Medical Library
In my coursework for LI827, we studied the acute nature of preservation in libraries and as I applied these principles to a specific situation, my own medical library where I currently work, I was able to take the concept of the initial drafting of a preservation policy and plot its development including the selection of criteria, methods of preservation, and the environment considerations. The result of this paper and of me taking this course was that the library where I work drafted and developed a preservation policy largely based on this paper.
LI810: Students Preferences of Carrels vs. Tables in a Medical Library
In LI810, the focus was on research methods and I chose to work on a project that entailed defining the preferences of which medical students preferred carrels or tables to study on. I conducted this research and presented it to our Library Director as we are in the process of building a new library and are looking at furniture needs of our students. The study helped me to realize what research entails and how decisions for libraries should be based on research methods.
Artifact #4
Outcome - Based on a diagnosed need, retrieve, interpret, and/or repackage relevant information resources, and evaluate their use and impact.
Value - Advocate for others by displaying a commitment to quality and equity;
LI861: Embedded Librarians: MLS Students as Apprentice Librarians in Online Courses
I was given an opportunity to be an Embedded Librarian for a nursing class from the University of Central Missouri and in this class I had to monitor the online communication of nursing students and retrieve, interpret, and present relevant information and resources when it was appropriate. This class allowed me to “be a librarian” by displaying a commitment to presenting information that was useful for students in doing their research. It also allowed me to learn Web 2.0 skills and utilize online technology in teaching for distance education which I have been able to use with our third and fourth year medical students.
LI805: What is an Organization? My View
One of the first assignments for our LI805 class, was to define in our terms what an organization was and why it was important to study organization theory. This gave me an opportunity to look at the structure of organizations and apply it to my work. We are in the process of building a new library and a general re-design of physical work space is challenging our internal organizational structure. Do we put the Interlibrary Loan workroom close to the periodicals and books or should reference be located on the first or second floor? I work closely with our Library Director and this class has made my perspective broader for understanding how organizations adapt to change.
Artifact #5
Outcome - Lead appropriate change by using effective collaborative, communication and organizational skills.
Value - Imagine outside the box by demonstrating creativity in problem solving, management, and other professional activities.
LI814: Integrating User-Contributed Data into Library Catalogs
In the cataloging course, LI814, I was able to research how user-contributed data is being integrated into our library catalogs and this gave me an understanding of the creative accomplishments the technical site of the library profession. The search and retrieve process has had to adapt with the digital environment and the influence of browser giants such as Google and to make some projections about changes in the future of bibliographic processes.
LI863: Health Science Libraries: Opportunities for Leadership
In LI863, I was able to research how changes in access to digital information have affected the medical reference interview, mentorship in medical librarianship and how medical libraries can extend services on a global platform. These opportunities for leadership demonstrate problem solving, creativity and management in the medical library profession.
Artifact #6
Outcome - Teach information literacy skills in order to facilitate effective learning organizations.
Value - Imagine outside the box by demonstrating creativity in problem solving, management, and other professional activities.
LI843: SSL: Secured Sockets Layer Presentation
For my LI843 class, I prepared a PowerPoint presentation on Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) and was able to present this to our class which gave me a better understanding of what is involved in the protection of data transferred over the Internet using encryption and experience in teaching.
LI813: Bioethics Library Instruction
In LI813, I was able to research the library implications of adding a Bioethics graduate degree program at a medical university. I proposed an instructional system that included the learning theory involved, collection development, educational needs assessment, and the evaluation of learning outcomes. This project helped me to see a broader picture of what is needed for effective information literacy skills for the specific subject of Bioethics.
Artifact #7
Outcome - Demonstrate life-long learning skills by continually acquiring new knowledge, skills and perspectives to respond to changing conditions.
Value - Demonstrate leadership by displaying vision, and adaptability, openness to new ideas, and risk-taking behavior;
LI863: Authentic Leadership
Developing this PowerPoint presentation for LI863 allowed me to focus on what makes an authentic leader and to visually promote the Goleman concepts that we were studying. It turned out to be one of my favorite projects and one that I am most proud of as I was able to demonstrate my own understandings of leadership. I presented this to my Library Director and she gave me some very positive feedback about the role leadership takes in the library profession.
LI866: Reflective Essay
Introduction to Copyright was one of my favorite classes, and one of the hardest for me. I had a basic understanding of copyright, but as I progressed through the class, I learned the definition of copyright, fair use, first sale doctrine, how to cite a court case, and I was able to attend a workshop on the KU campus that emphasized the challenges libraries face dealing with copyright and scholarly publishing and institutional repositories. Digital rights was also discussed and I was able to research the NIH Public Access Policy indepth and then pass this knowledge on to faculty at my insitution who are publishing under government grants. As a whole, this class helped me acquire new knowledge and perspectives on this very changing subject.
Artifact #8
Outcome - Communicate effectively in writing, orally, and in using information technologies.
Value - Demonstrate leadership by displaying vision, and adaptability, openness to new ideas, and risk-taking behavior;
LI843: Design of Posse Website
In LI843, the web design class, one of our group projects was to design a website for a non-profit organization, and from the initial interviewing process to the content, sample pages, pictures, colors, html and Dreamweaver experience, I have gained a greater understanding of not only the mechanics of web design, but the creative process and the ability to work as a team. Communication is key in working with clients and team members, and this experience showed me how important it is to communicate effectively whether gathering information in a verbal conversation or sending information through Email.
