A Trip to Seattle: The MLA 2017 Annual Conference

MLA ’17

Over Memorial Day weekend, I had the pleasure of attending the annual conference of the Medical Library Association in Seattle, Washington. I was there to present a poster on a study my NYMC colleagues and I are currently undertaking, and also to learn from other librarians about trends in the medical library field.

I had never been to an annual conference before, and I was amazed at how packed the schedule was. Luckily, MLA created an app just for the conference, in addition to their print program, which was invaluable in keeping track of all the sessions offered. From the opening ceremony Saturday night until the end of my poster presentation on Tuesday afternoon, I was constantly on the move from one interesting program to the next! It would take a veerrry long blog post to cover everything, so I’ll just go over some highlights of my trip.

Bay Shore Welcomes New Librarian Keith Pardini

Vintage Long Island map, featuring Touro Bay Shore (source)

How’s it going Touro Community! My name is Keith, and I’m the newest librarian at the School of Health Sciences in Bay Shore. For those of you unfamiliar with our Long Island campus, here at Bay Shore we cater to both undergraduate and graduate students who are primarily enrolled in health sciences fields. The majority of students pursue programs such as: Biology, Psychology, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Physician’s Assistant. The school also offers programs in Education and Special Education.

Turning Over an Old Leaf

Up and at ’em! (Image: Pinterest)

At 4:30 AM, on the morning of January 3rd, I swung my tired legs over the edge of my bed, dragged myself onto my feet, struggled into the sweats and sneakers I’d laid out the previous evening, forced a caffeinated pre-workout drink down my throat and stumbled out my door into the quiet chilly darkness.

53rd Street Library: An Interview with Leib Klein

Student artwork in the halls

How many years have you been working at this site?

20+ years. I started off part-time, but then became a full-time librarian. I have also worked occasionally at the Avenue J location.

Entrance to Boro Park 53rd Street

What is the name of your site and where is it located?

It’s the Boro Park 53^rd Street Library at the School of Lifelong Education. We’re located at 1273 53^rd Street, Brooklyn, NY 11219. Contact us by phone at 718-871-6187 x30017.

What is the history of your site?

The School of Lifelong Education (SLE) Program was established in 1989. Associate and Bachelor degrees are offered.

For a brief period, the SLE moved to 45th Street, but then we returned to 53rd Street.

Starrett City: An Interview with Rita Hilu

Rita Hilu (top left) with faculty and students before a library class

What is the name of your site and where is it located?

The Starrett City Library is located at 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue in
Brooklyn, between Marine Park and Howard Beach near the Jamaica Bay. 

Brighton Beach Library: An Interview with Bella Reytblat

What is the name of your site and where is it located?

The Brighton Beach branch is located in south Brookyn at 532 Neptune Avenue. The location is convenient by public transportation, including the B, Q & F subway lines, plus several buses.

How many years have you been working at this site?

Machon L’Parnasa: An Interview with Abin Thakuri

The library at Machon L’Parnasa/Institute for Professional Studies

What is the name of your site and where is it located?

It’s the library for Machon L’Parnasa/Institute for Professional Studies, sometimes referred to as the Boro Park 45th Street library. We’re located in Borough Park neighborhood, which is situated just south of the Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn, at 1301 45th Street. We are situated between the D and F subway lines, but I usually walk or bike to work. I live not too far away and like to get some extra exercise now that I don’t play soccer every day anymore.

Staff Profile: Joe Brown

New Bay Shore Librarian Joe Brown

Hello! I am Joe Brown, the new evening librarian at the Bay Shore School of Health Sciences.  I received my undergraduate degree in Cultural Anthropology and History from the University at Albany, in 2000.  Nine years later…I received my MLS from Queens College in 2009. In between these two degrees I was lucky enough to take part in many interesting employment adventures.  To share a little of my history, here are some snapshots.

Women with Wings

(Image retreived from http://techdrive.co/)

You know, you live with someone long enough, you think you know them pretty well.  My wife and I just celebrated our 25th anniversary, so I thought I had her down cold: loves birdwatching, cooking, 80s music and terrible television shows (more or less in that order, which is fortunate for me, as I prefer classic films).  She’s intellectually curious, especially about the animal kingdom, the environment and outer space.  In fact, she has mentioned on occasion that she would have loved to have been an astronaut. While I do not share her enthusiasm for space travel (unless we’re watching Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey) I will say I secretly chuckled at her claim; it was difficult to imagine her rocketing around the galaxy, since she’s timid about riding any bicycle but one of the stationary variety.

Reflections on How the Internet Has Evolved During the Past Twenty Years

90s students at the Gottesman Library, Columbia Teacher’s College

I have always had a strong liking for libraries, though it is difficult to pinpoint why this is the case.  Perhaps it all began while I was a child at Lenox elementary school while I was living in Saint Louis Park Minnesota.  Or, maybe it began while I was an undergraduate at the University of Minnesota (I always liked quiet, unassuming and serene open spaces).  Indeed, the Walter Library at the university is in fact considered one of the most beautiful academic libraries in the United States.  And of course, as an undergraduate, I would spend an endless amount of time studying for class; and if I was not studying, I would take a break by browsing the stacks, sometimes losing myself for hours on end, pursuing my recreational interest in Ancient Greek Philosophy.