Best Wishes for a healthy and fulfilling 2009 from the CHLA/ABSC Board of Directors 
Welcome to new and returning members! 
Please be sure to acquaint yourselves with the Association website and use it to network, share ideas and success stories. 

February 2nd Deadline for Applications for Chapter Initiatives Fund 
The CHLA/ABSC Chapter Initiatives Fund is intended to support and recognize special initiatives, activities, programs or projects undertaken by CHLA/ABSC Chapters, which further the mission of CHLA/ABSC. This fund provides a tangible way for the Association to foster member development at the local or regional level. Full criteria and procedures for the application may be found on the web site at: http://www.chla-absc.ca/?q=en/node/122. Completed application forms must be received by Dianne Kharouba at president@chla-absc.ca; with a copy to Alison Farrell at secretary@chla-absc.ca by February 2nd for consideration at the Winter Board meeting to be held February 26 and 27. 

February 2nd Deadline for Award Nominations 
Nominations must be received in written form by February 2, 2009 for consideration at the Winter Board Meeting. The Board will be meeting on February 26 and 27. 
Please consider nominating an outstanding CHLA/ABSC member and colleague for one of the following awards. Full criteria for these awards as well as a list of prior recipients may be found on the web site at: http://www.chla-absc.ca/?q=en/node/130 

NEW! CHLA/ABSC AWARD FOR INNOVATION 

The CHLA/ABSC Board created the Award for Innovation in 2008 to recognize librarians or teams who have created or demonstrated improvements in health sciences library services for their users or the profession through innovative thinking and approaches. 

NEW! THE LOGIN CANADA STUDENT PAPER PRIZE 

The Login Canada Student Paper Prize is awarded annually to the library student who submits the best unpublished paper on health sciences librarianship to the competition. Research papers and review articles are eligible for the prize, which includes publication in JCHLA, a certificate and a cheque for $350.00. 

CHLA/ABSC AWARD OF OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT 

The candidate must have made a significant contribution to the field of health sciences librarianship in Canada. The candidate's contribution must be of more than passing importance, interest or local advancement. 

CHLA/ABSC CANADIAN HOSPITAL LIBRARIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 

This award recognizes the contribution of an individual hospital librarian to the advancement of health care and health librarianship in Canada. 

CHLA/ABSC EMERGING LEADER AWARD 

This award recognizes the skills, enthusiasm and energy that new health science librarians contribute to the profession. 

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP IN CHLA/ABSC 

The candidate must have played an active role in the affairs of the Association, and fulfill the following: 1. be at or near the close of an active career in health sciences librarianship; 2. hold a regular membership at the time of nomination; 3. have made a significant contribution to the advancement of the purposes of the Association. 
Send nominations to: Susan Powelson, CHLA/ABSC Past President, Director, Health Sciences Library, University of Calgary, 3330 Hospital Drive NW, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1 
(Fax) 403 210 9847 email: past-president@chla-absc.ca 

Hospital Library Salary Survey - Calling Interested Hospital Librarians 
CHLA/ABSC is putting together a small taskforce to develop a salary survey for you. If you are a hospital librarian and interested in working with the taskforce, please email Susan Powelson atpast-president@chla-absc.ca 

Canadian Virtual Health Library (CVHL) 
The deadline for applicants for Project Leader for the Canadian Virtual Health Library has been extended to Friday, January 23, 2009. The position is posted on the NNLH websitehttp://www.chla-absc.ca/nnlh/indexe.htm. Anyone interested is encouraged to apply or to contact the NNLH co chairs for further information. 

Your Voice Matters - Improving Consumer & Public Involvement in Standards Work 
CHLA-ABSC has been asked by the Standards Council of Canada to review the report and recommendations prepared by its Consumer and Public Interest Committee (CPIC). The documents are posted on the CHLA-ABSC website http://www.chla-absc.ca/. Please send your feedback to president@chla-absc.ca by January 26, 2009. 

January 23rd Deadline for Submission of Posters for the CHLA/ABSC Conference May 30-June 3, 2009 
The deadline was extended to Friday, January 23, 2009. Please visit the conference web page http://www.chla-absc.ca/2009/ for details on how to submit. 

Hospital library standards – Accreditation Canada 
What are your experiences in using the new standards? Jean Maragno, CHLA’s representative to Accreditation Canada, and I will be continuing our conversations with the organization. 

Winter Board Meeting 
The CHLA/ABSC Board will meet February 26 and 27 in Vancouver. Last January we were conducting a membership survey leading up to the winter meeting. This year, I want to be sure to issue an open invitation to members to provide your input on any matter and to flag any items the board should address. Send to my attention at president@chla-absc.ca. 

Dianne Kharouba 
President 
Canadian Health Libraries Association