WMLA Activities

Current issues of interest to our members

David Silver sent this Flyer promoting this year's September Project. Mr. Silver spoke at the 2004 WMLA meeting about this project which encourages "public events on freedom, democracy, and citizenship in libraries on or around
September 11."

At the 2005 Business meeting Susan Barnes presented the minutes of the 2004 Business Meeting. She also announced that the Washington State Library is again offering statewide access to ProQuest, to nonprofit, non-federally funded libraries. She distributed a list of titles available.

WMLA takes action on current issues that matter to our members. 2002 WMLA President Boo Horak wrote a letter on behalf of WMLA to King County Library System, expressing disappointment in the recent decision to eliminate the Consumer Health Librarian position from KCLS. The text of the letter, as well as KCLS's response, are available below.

WMLA's Letter to the King County Library System

June 26, 2002 Bill Ptacek, Director King County Library System Administrative Offices 960 Newport Way NW Issaquah, WA 98027 Dear Mr. Ptacek, The members of the Washington Medical Librarians Association would like to express to you our disappointment in the fact that the KCLS has chosen to eliminate the position of Consumer Health Librarian after the retirement of Maureen Carleton, who did an exemplary job for the past 10 years. Many Hospital-based medical librarians have a mission to serve the healthcare professionals in their particular institutions, with little time or resources to adequately serve the public consumer. It has always been an invaluable resource for the medical librarians in the greater Seattle area to be able to direct patrons to the capable hands of the KCLS Consumer Health Librarian. I’m sure you are aware of current studies showing that more citizens in our society are taking responsibility for researching their own and their family’s health care issues. Although the Internet supplies a wealth of health information, there is no substitute for the informed guidance of an information professional--even experienced Internet searchers need expert advice regarding the best, reliable Internet healthcare sites. By employing a Consumer Health Librarian, the KCLS has always shown itself to be in the forefront of providing informed, professional, readily available consumer health reference service to its constituents. We would urge you to reconsider your decision to eliminate this position. Sincerely, Beula B. Horak, MLS President, Washington Medical Librarians Association Medical Librarian, St. Joseph Hospital 2901 Squalicum Parkway Bellingham, WA 98226

PDF image of the response from KCLS, written by Mr. Bill Ptacek, Director of the King County Library System.

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