Overview of WMLA:
The Washington Medical Librarians Association (WMLA) is a not-for-profit organization established in the late seventies. The mission is to improve the quality of health sciences library service in the State of Washington, to provide opportunities for professional growth by interaction and continuing education, to improve the role of librarians and the library in the healthcare institution, and to enable members to assist healthcare professionals in providing excellent care. Membership is open to all librarians and library staffers who are affiliated with Washington hospitals, health care centers, and institutions or corporations concerned with medicine or health care.
WMLA provides continuing education, professional development activities, and participates in an email discussion list (HLIB). It also publishes the WMLA Newsletter Online and the web page. (www.wmla.org) to keep members up to date on what is happening in Washington medical libraries and among health sciences librarians. WMLA comprises 40 members from a variety of organizations. About half are employed by hospital or healthcare libraries. Other members include librarians from biotechnology, the University of Washington Health Sciences, and the National Network of Libraries of Medicine--Pacific Northwest region. The annual one-day meeting, which takes place in late March or early April, provides an environment for continuing education, vendor evaluation, and professional networking. Topics have included negotiating licensing agreements, complementary and alternative medicine resources, electronic journals, electronic medical records, and end-of-life care.
Meeting Details:
The annual meeting is held on the Bastyr University campus on the north end of Lake Washington in Kenmore, Washington (http://www.bastyr.edu/about/map.asp) Attendance is usually about 35. Prior to the meeting, the program chair will contact you for a bio, title and summary of your presentation. We will also need to know what equipment you will need. WMLA can provide a laptop, laser pointer, white board, microphone and overhead projector. Please remember to have a backup copy of your talk available.
Meeting Format:
A member of WMLA will introduce you using the information from your bio. Please let him or her know whether there are any changes. Either two or three speakers will be presenting. If you prefer a particular time slot, please let the program coordinator know and we’ll try to accommodate your request. Presentations are usually 90 minutes, including 15 minutes for questions. Handouts and PowerPoint notes are always appreciated. A member will be available to assist you with equipment setup.
Questions:
Please contact the program chair if you have any questions or need additional information.