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Invitation to Boston

J. Michael Homan, AHIP, FMLA, Chair, and Heather Todd, Cochair, 2013 National Program Committee

You are invited to a very special meeting in Boston, “One Health: Information in an Interdependent World”! One Health, planned by a joint 2013 National Program Committee, is an international meeting incorporating the rich content of MLA ’13 with its programs and continuing education and the 11th International Congress on Medical Librarianship (ICML), the 7th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS), and the 6th International Clinical Librarian Conference (ICLC). This will be a grand opportunity to participate in an international meeting with more than 150 papers and 300 poster presentations—the most ever for an MLA meeting—representing authors from 30 countries and over 160 international presenters. The last time ICML was hosted in the United States was in 1995, so this is also a unique opportunity to connect with your international colleagues. MLA will also welcome 10 Cunningham Memorial International Grant recipients from various parts of the world.

Our meeting theme offers an exciting platform for MLA and international partners to explore the interconnectedness of global information. “One Health” is meant to encompass not only human and animal health, but also public health, environmental health, climate change, food safety and production, and international policy—emphasizing interdisciplinary and international collaboration. The concurrent sessions and special events will all take place during the usual timespan of an MLA national meeting, with plenary sessions bringing everyone together for the John P. McGovern Award Lecture, presidential address, Joseph Leiter NLM/MLA Lecture, Janet Doe Lecture, and final plenary session on Wednesday morning. Confirmed plenary speakers include Joanne Gard Marshall, AHIP, FMLA, as the 2013 Janet Doe Lecturer, Sheila Davis as the Leiter Lecturer, and Laurie Garrett as the final plenary session keynote speaker.

Because the Boston meeting is an international meeting, there are some additions to the usual national program. The Boston Local Assistance Committee is planning tours of local attractions and libraries for meeting attendees on Saturday, May 4, from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, May 8, from 1:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Offerings will include conducted tours as well as self-guided tours of the Boston area’s many fine libraries and other attractions—including some offerings for accompanying persons. All meeting attendees are welcome to participate. Watch for the event announcements on the meeting website and online registration information. The International Cooperation Section will have a highly visible booth adjacent to the

One Health Hospitality Booth at the entrance to the Hall of Exhibits to welcome international attendees and offer assistance during the meeting.

One Health attendees will have multiple opportunities to use social media to interact before, during, and after the meeting. We invite you to check out the social media link on the meeting website. We encourage international meeting attendees to review the US travel and visa requirements on the US Department of State website and visa information service at your earliest convenience (www.travel.state.gov/visa/).

The official opening day of One Health, the Boston international meeting, is Saturday, May 4, with the All-Conference Welcome Reception & Opening of the Hall of Exhibits. We hope to see you in Boston.

Most One Health meetings and the Hall of Exhibits will be at the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston, MA, 02115 USA.