Posted on October 3, 1998
News Stand 4
Is it time to pick a new name for NAHSL?
Shakespeare said that a "rose by any other name would smell as sweet," but …..
NAHSL--as fond as some members are of this acronym--has come under scrutiny as the name of choice for this MLA chapter. For one thing, North Atlantic is not a readily recognizable region of the United States. It was an appropriate name when we included our neighbors north of the border, but the composition of our chapter has changed. The states that comprise our chapter are collectively referred to as "New England," a region of the country with which most MLA members nationwide are familiar. It cannot go without mention that we sometimes take some ribbing for our acronym (whether pronounced "nasal" or "nozzle"). Certainly it's memorable, but do we want the fact that it elicits a chuckle or two to be the reason why it's remembered?
So, folks, it's time to take a vote. How deeply do you feel about our name? Is it time for a change? To give you a "point of reference," other MLA regional chapters go by the following names:
So, let your voice be heard! Cast your vote for one of the names listed below, or suggest one of your own. The results of this informal poll will be used to help the Board decide whether or not it's time to go through a "name change." If you didn't vote at NAHSL in Boston, send your vote to Amy Frey at
afrey@hfsc.org and be counted! The names that have been proposed include:
International Anyone?
by Donna Flake
For many years, I have been heavily involved with the International Cooperation Committee of MLA. The pleasures and rewards of this work have been tremendously important to me. I want to encourage you to pay the $10 extra above the regular MLA dues to joint this dynamic and fascinating section of MLA.
About the International Cooperation Section of MLA
The International Cooperation Section of MLA was established in 1989. (Prior to this there was an International Cooperation Committee of MLA.) This group of members from over 25 countries value the international sharing of ideas and resources and the coming together of librarians from different lands. Some of the work of this section includes: A sister library program, Job Exchange Committee, Providing an annual International Reception at MLA.
MLA consults with the chairman of the International Cooperation Section when selecting several of its appointments including: MLA Representative to EAHIL, MLA Representative to Canada.
This section’s newsletter is excellent and highlights international medical librarians’ work around the globe. The web site at (http://ahsl.arizona.edu/ics) is fascinating and provides a good overview of section activities. Carole Gall is the current chairman of the International Cooperation Section of MLA. She can be contacted at cfgall@iupui.edu or phone: 317/274-1411.
Two of the 1998-1999 goals of the ICS include global connectivity and information technology transfer.
A Personal Perspective
My first involvement with the International Cooperation Committee (forerunner of the International Cooperation Section), was being asked to join when I returned from a six month medical library job exchange in England in 1984. I was delighted to join this dynamic and passionate group of librarians who cared deeply about the cause of international cooperation. In 1989, the International Cooperation Committee was dissolved, and the new International Cooperation Section came into existence.
One result of my international efforts was that in 1986, in 1988, and in 1992, I visited England to present papers or poster sessions at the Medical Health, and Welfare Librarians Group (which was recently renamed the Health Librarians Group). In 1991, I was asked to present the keynote address at the Second Annual CD-ROM Conference in Tokyo.
Over the years, I have done a great deal of work with the International Cooperation Section. Twice I served as a member of the Cunningham Fellow Selection Jury and once as Itinerary Chair for the Cunningham Fellow. Twice, Cunningham Fellows stayed with me in Wilmington, North Carolina. From 1993 until 1998, I chaired the Job Exchange Committee of the International Cooperation Section.
In 1995, MLA appointed me as their representative to EAHIL. (The European Association of Health Information and Libraries.) I feel this happened as a result and my persistent interest and involvement in the International Cooperation Section of the Medical Library Association. So now new opportunities for international cooperation and travel have opened up for me. Since 1995, I attended EAHIL conferences in Prague (1995), Coimbra, Portugal (1996), Budapest (1997), and Utrecht, the Netherlands (1998). In 1999, I will attend the EAHIL meeting in Tartu, Estonia, and I am currently on the Program Planning Committee for this meeting.
In 2000, I will attend the 8th International Congress of Medical Librarianship in London (this is a joint meeting with EAHIL) and I am on the Scientific Program Committee for this meeting too. Indeed, MLA’s International Cooperation Committee broadened my horizons. But more importantly, my international experiences have made my life profoundly more meaningful, more exciting, and more joyful. I tell you all of this to say:
Reach Out To The World! It all starts with just $10 by joining the
International Cooperation Section of MLA!
Join the International Cooperation Section - Get Involved - Travel Abroad!
Submitted by:
Donna Flake
Coastal AHEC
2131 South 17th Street
PO Box 9025
Wilmington, NC 28402
910/343-2180
910/762-7600 (fax)
dbfl@med.unc.edu (email)
Donna Flake is Co-Chair of the Membership
Committee of International
Cooperation Section, along with Pamela Lee of
Hong Kong
Please submit items for the News Stand section of the Web page to: Amy Frey, Hospital for Special Care, 2150 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT 06053 or via e-mail to: afrey@hfsc.org
