Welcome to MDMLG

The closing keynote speaker is Mary Joan (M.J.) Tooey, immediate past president of MLA. Her topic is Investment strategies for medical librarians. M.J. is a very fun, dynamic speaker.

Invest in:

Politics
-Find out who the opinion leaders, influencers and heat seekers are.
-Learn to speak their language.
-Now your advocates and your enemies.
-Be a good listener.

Service
-Get out. Be visible. Don't be afraid to promote yourself ande your services.
-Find out what keeps your users awake at night. What is the problem they are
trying to solve? How can you help?
-Make yourself and your expertise invaluable NOW. Advocate.
-Find areas for future opportunities. Try new things. Be aware of trends from
other industries that may have an impact on your work.
-Find partners and collaborators.
-Don't rely on entitlements for survival.

New MLA resource - Vital Pathways page.

Research
-So, what does keep your users awake at night?
*Research dollars?
*Length of stay?
*Outcomes?
*Patient safety?
*Time savings?
-Do you have an effect on any of these?
-Become familiar with the language of research.
-Research does not have to be complicated and long - sometimes it just involves a
simple question.
-Acquaint yourself with the literature of research.
-Take classes.
-Ask colleagues what questions they want answered.
-Don't be afraid.

Evaluation tool - NNLM

Education
-Be curious
-Learn new things
-Partake in continuing education
-Read outside the profession
-Broaden your horizons
-Be a lifelong learner

Now
-Network
-Join and get professionally involved - locally, statewide, regionally,
nationally.
-Reach out, teach, think of the community and community organizations - "think
globally, act locally".
-Apply for grants, contracts, awards, scholarships.

Future
-Go to K-12 career daya.
-Go to career fairs or exhibits.
-Teach library school classes.
-Mentor a new professional.

Why she thinks the future is bright...

-By making investments - knowledge, viability, validity, new perspectives,
support.
-New roles, opportunities emerging - but don't expect them to be "given" to us.
-Increased energy, enthusiasm, ideas.

Last thought... invest in yourself

-Work to live, don't live to work. Get your priorities right
-Your health (mental aned physical)
-Be kind to yourself and others - "Civility costs nothing and buys everything."
(Lady Mary Wortley Montagu, 1689-1782)

Labels: MHSLA