Thank you to the Syed Maghrabi Conference Scholarship Committee for selecting me to receive a full scholarship to the 2017 HSLI Conference “The Times are Changing.” As a new health sciences librarian, I attended my first HSLI conference excited with the prospect learning more about health science librarianship and meeting peers from around the state (as a solo librarian, I needed to develop a network). Both of these expectations were met and exceeded.
Gabe Rios presented on several new and developing technologies in the “Emerging Technologies for the Busy Librarian” session. I was not aware of all the library and non-library apps available for health and how to select and evaluate them. This session really opened my eyes to the possibilities apps (and technology in general) have to enhance learning and research in the health sciences. I have already downloaded several NLM apps and will be promoting the HIV/AIDS related apps when the Methodist College Library hosts the NLM traveling exhibit “Surviving and Thriving” in 2018. I also made a note to actively seek an IT staff member to join the library advisory committee (once I have a library advisory committee).
I thoroughly enjoyed the poster sessions as I had the opportunity to speak to several librarians about their research and what they were doing at their institutions. From this experience, I am now planning to pilot a journal club. Before the HSLI conference I had never heard of journal clubs. My hope is that this pilot is successful and the college can produce and sustain several journal clubs. The resources I received about journal clubs will also help me collaborate with nursing faculty members to redesign a journal analyzing assignment which many of the students struggle with.
My biggest take away from this conference is that I am not alone, even as a solo librarian. I shared my struggles and successes with many attendees and they exchanged insights and ideas. My first HSLI conference was a very valuable experience and I am looking forward to participating in the next conference.