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Grants and Scholarships

Robin Devin

Report on Kronick Traveling Fellowship

David A. Kronick Traveling Fellowship 2006
Final Report
Robin B. Devin


The David A. Kronick Traveling Fellowship for 2006 was used to partially fund my Spring 2007 sabbatical leave project. My sabbatical leave from the University of Rhode Island Library was granted so that I could pursue professional development activities that would improve my knowledge of health sciences librarianship. To that end my activities involved travel to consult with the only other university libraries in the country that serve a configuration of health sciences majors similar to URI. The project was completed between December 24, 2006 and June 23, 2007.
The following is a list of the universities visited and a list of the individuals who graciously shared their expertise with me during those visits:

Duquesne University

David A. Nolfi, Health Sciences Librarian, The Gumberg Library
Laverna M. Saunders, University Librarian, The Gumberg Library
Kathryn Fowler, Instruction Librarian, The Gumberg Library
John G. Lech, Director, Pharmaceutical Information Center, Mylan School
of Pharmacy
Leslie Lewis, Reference Librarian, The Gumberg Library
Diana Sasso, Director, Information Services Division, The Gumberg Library

University of Texas-Austin

Nancy Elder, Head Librarian, Life Sciences Library, University of Texas Libraries
JoAnne Newyear-Ramirez, Asst. Head of Research Services and Nursing
Bibliographer, University of Texas Libraries
Nancy Hall, Media Coordinator, Nursing Online Resources and Research,
School of Nursing, University of Texas-Austin.

Rutgers University

Francoise Puniello, Acting New Brunswick Libraries Director, Rutgers, The State
University of New Jersey
Patricia A. Piermatti, Pharmaceutical Sciences Librarian, Library of Sciences and
Medicine, Rutgers Univ. New Brunswick / Piscataway Campus
Ann Vreeland Watkins, Reference/Circulation Librarian, John Cotton Dana Library,
Rutgers University - Newark Campus
John Maxymuk, Reference Librarian,Paul Robeson Library, Rutgers-Camden Campus

Hampton University

Frank Edgcombe, Interim Director, The William R. and Norma B. Harvey Library
Peggy Brown, Virtual Resources Librarian, Harvey Library
Elizabeth Evans, Reference - InterLibrary Loan Librarian, Harvey Library
Girija Venkat, Reference - Instruction Librarian, Harvey Library
Alfred Willis, Assistant Director Collection Department, Harvey Library
Theresa Brooks, Library Aid, School of Nursing Library
Pharmacist staff, Drug Information Center, School of Pharmacy

In addition to the above, I also had the opportunity to visit the new Pharmacy Library at the School of Pharmacy at the University of Connecticut in Storrs. There I met with Sharon Giovenale, Pharmacy Librarian.
At each of the sites visited, I had an opportunity to both consult with colleagues and to observe their operations. Specific activities included:

· Reviewing collections to determine buying patterns for both book and
journal collections.
· Reviewing the balance of online versus print material and learning how
the decisions of paper vs print are determined.
· Analyzing the selection of online databases and print indexes and discussing
the selection process.
· Collected printed guides and other library materials designed for health
science students.
· Observed reference desk services
· Reviewed interlibrary loan services as well as interlibrary cooperation agreements.
· Reviewed the duties of the library liaisons with the academic health
sciences departments.
· Where possible, observed library instruction classes geared toward health
sciences students as well as general information literacy instruction sessions.

Additional knowledge and sharing of expertise was gained through participation in the annual conference of the Medical Library Association which was held in Philadelphia May 18-23, 2007.

This project has allowed me the opportunity to improve and renew my dedication to serving as the sole health sciences librarian at the University of Rhode Island. I have been able to broaden my knowledge of health sciences collection development of book, journal, and online resources. I have also expanded my knowledge of materials for the improvement of bibliographic instruction and collected material for the improvement of user guides. As a result I expect to be able to provide improved library service to the health sciences programs on my campus. In addition, I have had the opportunity to strengthen my professional network for future professional communication.
I am indebted to the Medical Library Association for helping to make this travel possible. Any publications resulting from this project will include recognition of the support of the association and will be submitted to MLA for the "first right of review."

Submitted August 2007