UNM hosts medical library conference October 13-17

Annual event draws experts from U.S., Nigeria

Approximately 150 librarians representing health sciences from public and private universities, hospitals, research institutions and public health organizations will convene this weekend at the 2017 meeting of the South Central Chapter of the Medical Library Association.

This year's conference draws medical librarians from Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Tennessee and even Nigeria. The UNM Health Sciences Library and Informatics Center(HSLIC) is hosting the event to collaborate on regional initiatives, engage in scholarly exchanges, share best academic practices and socialize with professional colleagues.

The 2017 event highlights keynote addresses by two nationally recognized library professionals. Patricia Brennan, RN, PhD, director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), will address how NLM is leading the drive toward data-powered health. Siobhan A. Reardon, MLS, president and director of the Free Library of Philadelphia, will speak on thinking creatively to establish a reliable financial future for libraries.

Local radiologist and meditation instructor Lara Patriquin, MD, will headline the annual Hospital Library Interest Section (HLIS) luncheon during the conference. There also will be a special outreach track for native health librarians and health professionals from across New Mexico.