In this issue:

• Welcome to members
• Canadian Virtual Health Library (CVHL)
• Pan-Canadian Cochrane Library Task Force
• CHLA/ABSC Development Officer
• New Open Access Interest Group
• Kingston 2010
• Changes to JCHLA
• CHLA/ABSC Conference Programs needed
• Next Board of Directors Meeting

Welcome to members

Welcome to new members who have joined CHLA/ABSC this year, and welcome back to those of you who have renewed your membership for the 2010 year. Our Association continues to grow, an indication of the benefits attached to membership, including opportunities for professional development, networking, education, leadership participation, and contribution to health librarianship. The stronger we are, the easier it is to achieve our mission for dissemination of quality health sciences information to those in research, education and patient care.

Canadian Virtual Health Library (CVHL) – successful grant application!

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) has approved the Canadian Virtual Health Library (CVHL) application for $800,000 to establish a CVHL. The goal of the CVHL is to ensure that all health professionals in Canada have ready access to health information of high quality. Special thanks to principle investigator, Patrick Ellis and co-investigators, Jesse McGowan and Jim Henderson. Congratulations to all who have contributed to this project, including those who have served on the Task Force over the past 10 years since the initial proposal of the National Network of Libraries for Health (NNLH) in November 2000. We acknowledge and appreciate the commitment, time and hard work that have been expended on this initiative. What a great start to 2010! We look forward to further communications.

Pan-Canadian Cochrane Library Task Force

The Cochrane Library pan-Canadian license pilot was extended by Wiley to the end of January 2010. The pilot, which ran in parallel to the work of the CVHL, clearly demonstrated the need for a national license for this important resource. A key priority for the CVHL will be the development of a sustainable model for funding and supporting pan-Canadian access to The Cochrane Library on an ongoing basis. While work towards a permanent funding model continues, all existing subscribers should renew their own subscriptions for 2010.

CHLA/ABSC Development Officer

We are seeking a member who would be interested in a two year appointment to the Board as Development Officer. The Development Officer serves as a liaison between Conference Planning Committee(s) and the Board, and plays a key role in coordinating sponsors and developing relationships with external parties who may wish to provide support to CHLA/ABSC in a variety of ways. For more information, refer to the Executive Manual, or contact any member of the Board. We would be pleased to discuss further. Being a Board member is a wonderful opportunity to work with colleagues from across the county and to contribute to our profession. Please consider putting your name forward, or recommending a colleague!

New CHLA/ABSC Open Access Interest Group

I am very pleased to introduce a new CHLA/ABSC Open Access (OA) Interest Group led by founding convenor, Devon Greyson. Founding members include Judy Inglis and Dean Giustini. The OA Interest Group is a forum to support discussion, education and advocacy related to OA and scholarly communication issues relevant to the work of health librarians and libraries. These are timely issues! For more information, please see the website at www.chla-absc.ca/node/90. Special Interest Groups (SIG) are provided with meeting space during the annual conference, and space on the Associations web page for forum discussions.

Kingston 2010

Be sure to watch for the early bird registration for the 34th annual CHLA/ABSC conference to be held in Kingston, Ontario from June 7 - 11, 2010. Registration will open in early March. The theme, Honouring Heritage / Inspiring Innovation invites reflection on past successes while creating an exciting future for health libraries. Register for the CHLA/ABSC 2010 news blog to keep current. Rates for conference attendance are now available and the list and descriptions of CE sessions have been posted. Plan to attend!

Changes to JCHLA

Beginning with Volume 31 (1), JCHLA will be moving to a tri-annual publication schedule. The Editorial Team hopes to increase submissions to the journal and will be seeking feedback from members on ways to increase participation.

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 at secretary@chla-absc.ca if you can donate a program.

Next Board of Directors Meeting

The CHLA/ABSC Board Winter Board meeting will be held via teleconference over three days, two hours per day, on February 24, 25, 26. Holding the meetings via teleconference will be a first, and we are eager to pilot and assess this manner of conducting a Board meeting. While it is cost effective, and reduces travel time, we are aware that there may be disadvantages as well. The CHLA/ABSC Strategic Plan is reviewed at the Winter Board meeting. We encourage and welcome input and feedback from our members on this and any other concerns or issues. Please flag any items that you would like addressed by the Board, and send to my attention at president@chla-absc.ca.

Marlene Dorgan CHLA/ABSC President