Virtual

Title:  Putting Evidence in the Best Light: Supporting Data Visualization in Systematic Reviews and Other Evidence Synthesis

Date/Time:  October 17, 2024, 2:00pm - 3:30pm (EST)

Speakers:  Erin Reardon and Caitlin Bakker

Summary:  If you work on systematic reviews or other forms of evidence synthesis, you know that conducting a rigorous, methodologically sound synthesis is only part of the challenge of a review team. The team must also be able to clearly and effectively communicate the processes and results of their work in their publications and presentations. You can increase your value as the librarian on a team by advising and educating teams on the power of data visualizations and on selecting the best visualizations and tools for their purposes.

Caitlin Bakker, a Lead Information Specialist for a Cochrane Collaboration and experienced data visualization instructor, and Erin Reardon, an experienced member of review teams and review co-author, will show you how PRISMA charts, forest plots, funnel plots, “traffic lights,” and other types of data visualizations can highlight biases, demonstrate rigor, and effectively summarize key review findings.

Through case studies, demonstrations, and activities you can do during or after the webinar, you’ll learn how to interpret common forms of data visualizations, gain knowledge needed to guide your evidence synthesis teams in selecting and implementing visualization strategies, and be able to locate freely available data visualization tools that best serve a team’s goals. You’ll also increase your understanding of the evidence synthesis part of a review that happens after data extraction, when the librarian’s role typically ends.

You’ll leave the webinar with new data visualization skills and knowledge that increase your value to review teams and new confidence in your ability to advise teams on data visualizations.

Cost:  $50

Title: Generative AI for Health Sciences Librarians

Date/Time:  October 23, 2024, 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm (EST)

Speaker: Fred LaPolla

Summary: This workshop will discuss uses of generative AI in medical libraries, focusing on an overview of common use cases for generative AI in libraries, ways that prompts can be written to achieve those goals, and how to confront common challenges in working with generative AI systems.

Cost:  $0

Title: Navigating Through Health Literacy

Date/Time:  October 24, 2024, 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm (EST)

Speaker: Helen-Ann Epstein

Summary: Spend 1.5 hours navigating through many angles of health literacy. How does one define health literacy? What does health literacy look like for patients and their families? What does health literacy look like for an informed consumer? What does health literacy look like for you personally as a health sciences Librarian?  What are the best methods for each constituency to receive quality information to make them smarter?

Cost:  $50

On-site

Title: Navigating Wellness at Work: Using Mindfulness to Combat Burnout in Libraries

Date/Time:  October 27, 2024, 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Speakers:  Be Well Committee

Summary: In today’s fast-paced health sciences environment, librarians are crucial in supporting teaching, research, and clinical care. Competing work demands can lead to stress, burnout, and decreased overall well-being. In this interactive session, "Navigating Wellness at Work: Using Mindfulness to Combat Burnout in Libraries," MLA’s Be Well MLA Committee members offer practical strategies for addressing these challenges.

After first learning to identify burnout triggers, participants will explore the science of mindfulness and its potential to reduce stress and enhance resilience. Through guided mindfulness exercises, group discussions, and real-world applications, attendees will learn how to integrate mindfulness practices into their daily work routines to foster a balanced, healthier approach to managing stress. This course is designed for library professionals at all career stages who want to cultivate personal wellness, navigate professional uncertainty, and lead with calm, focus, and presence in an ever-changing landscape.

Cost:  $50

Title: Marketing and Promoting Library Services and Resources

Date/Time:  October 27, 2024, 3:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Speaker:  Jessica Daly

Summary: Libraries are important institutions that play a critical role in promoting education, knowledge, and community. However, today, libraries face numerous challenges and competition from other sources of information and entertainment. Therefore, it is essential for libraries to promote themselves and their services to attract and retain users, as well as to demonstrate their value and impact. Join Jessica Daly as she shares how to access the needs of your library and library users, develop and create an outreach and marketing plan based on your goals, and how to evaluate and modify your plan to achieve your desired outcomes.

Cost:  $50