• Season’s Greetings!
• Membership in CHLA/ABSC
• Forthcoming Board Positions
• Call for nominations for CHLA/ABSC
• Awards and Honours
• CHLA/ABSC Chapter Initiatives Fund
• Kingston 2010
• New Jobsite Forum
• Pan-Canadian Cochrane Library Task Force
• CISTI Committee on Health Sciences Information
• CHLA/ABSC Conference Programs needed
• Next Board of Directors Meeting

Season’s Greetings!

As a very busy year draws to a close, I want to take this opportunity on behalf of our CHLA/ABSC Board of Directors, to extend Season’s Greetings to each and every one of you. We wish you all a very safe and happy holiday season!

Membership in CHLA/ABSC

It is time to renew your membership in CHLA/ABSC! Membership brings online access to our CHLA/ABSC Directory, access to professional development grants to attend CE events, voting for Board members, voting at the AGM, a reduced member rate for CHLA/ABSC activities, including the annual conference, opportunities to participate in special interest groups, and an opportunity to nominate, or be nominated for CHLA awards. As a national association, we connect colleagues across the country, share information, discuss relevant issues, and facilitate knowledge transfer through dissemination of health sciences information to those in research, education and patient care. We make a difference! If you know someone who is not yet a member, please encourage them to join! New members can join anytime for 25% off the membership dues.

Forthcoming Board Positions

Do you know someone who would be great on the CHLA/ABSC Board? There is a call for nominations for the Board positions of VP/President/Past President (3 year term), Secretary (2 year term), and Continuing Education (CE) (2 year term). Working on the Board is a unique opportunity to become involved, to learn more about health librarianship, to contribute in many different ways, and to advance your own career aspirations. Please consider nominating a colleague, or putting your own name forward!

Call for nominations for CHLA/ABSC Awards and Honours – deadline 1st February

Nominations for awards and honours must be received by the Board by February 1, 2010. We have wonderful deserving colleagues working in our libraries across Canada. Here is an opportunity to recognize achievements and contributions. Please review and consider nominating someone for one of the awards and honours described in detail on our website (http://www.chla-absc.ca/?q=en/node/130). I can think of nothing better than being able to announce a recipient for each award in Kingston next June!

CHLA/ABSC Chapter Initiatives Fund – deadline 1st February

CHLA/ABSC Chapters are invited to apply for the CHLA/ABSC Chapter Initiatives Fund (http://www.chla-absc.ca/?q=en/node/122) which provides support and recognizes special initiatives, activities, programs or projects undertaken by CHLA/ABSC Chapters to 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.

Kingston 2010

Plan to join us in Kingston June 7-11 for an exciting, informative conference around the theme of Honouring Heritage, Inspiring Innovation. Mark your calendars now! The second call has gone out for contributed papers, roundtable discussions and posters. The due date for submissions is January 11, 2010. See the complete call for submissions at: http://www.chla-absc.ca/2010/submissions.html

New Jobsite Forum

Looking to post a healthcare library job? CHLA/ABSC has launched a NEW Jobsite Forum (http://www.chla-absc.ca/en/node/219). This forum is to provide members with the opportunity to post healthcare related library job advertisements on the CHLA/ABSC website in order to capture a wider audience.

Pan Canadian Cochrane Library Task Force

In addition to working on the communications and training fronts, the Task Force is finalizing its evaluation of the trial and developing the business case and supporting documentation. The Task Force held a webinar December 2 with invited stakeholders to discuss and gather input on the national licensing. Over 950 responses to the online survey have been received. Librarians with Cochrane expertise are encouraged to share with other librarians and health consumers. Don’t forget to take the survey which is still open. http://tiny.cc/cochranesurvey

CISTI Committee on Health Sciences Information

The next meeting of the CISTI Committee on Health Sciences Information will be held via teleconference in January 2010. An update of CISTI strategic directions will be provided. I represent CHLA/ABSC on this Committee so I welcome any comments, concerns, and input at any time throughout the year that I can present on behalf of our membership.

CHLA/ABSC Conference Programs needed

The following print programs for CHLA/ABSC Conferences are needed to complete the Archive: 1991, 1990, 1989, 1988, 1987, 1986, 1985, 1982, 1979, 1978, 1977. Please contact Shauna-Lee Konrad (secretary@chla-absc.ca) if you can donate a program.

Next Board of Directors Meeting

In order to be fiscally responsible, the Board has scheduled a series of three teleconferences for February 24, 25, 26 in lieu of an in-person Board meeting. Input and feedback from our members on any concerns or issues is encouraged. Please flag any items you would like addressed by the Board, and send to my attention at president@chla-absc.ca.

Marlene DorganCHLA/ABSC President