HICSA : Reportback on conferences incl.ICAHIS 8, Edinburgh 2015

At the HICSA meeting held on 20 November 2015 Marguerite Nel reported on conferences she attended in Edinbugh, June 2015.
EAHIL, ICAHIS and ICLC.

I was fortunate to attend the European Association for Health Information and Libraries (EAHIL), the International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS), and International Clinical Librarian Conference (ICLC) Workshop in Edinburgh from 9 to 12 June 2015. The Workshop was a collaboration between the EAHIL, ICAHIS, and the ICLC. The theme of the Workshop wasResearch-Minded: understanding, supporting, conducting research.

The aim of the EAHIL Workshop was to equip participants with a greater understanding of, and practical skills in, research approaches and methods. The rationale behind this theme was that an understanding and experience of research will enable librarians to improve their support to clinicians, researchers, lecturers and students. Several topics were presented in different workshop sessions. These include, among others, the following:  communication skills, mixed methods, qualitative methods, quantitative methods, research data management, and systematic reviews.  The format of the workshop sessions was participative and practical.  

Keynote speakers emphasised the importance of research and the role of the library as an essential partner in knowledge creation.

The ICAHIS was a satellite conference of the Workshop, and presented on Tuesday, 9 June, at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush Campus. This was the eighth ICAHIS, which is a highlight every time for veterinary librarians around the globe.

I was also fortunate to attend a Historical tour of veterinary education in Edinburgh, led by the really delightful Colin Warwick and Alastair MacDonald. This was a walking tour through the historical part of Edinburgh, along all sites relevant to and of interest of the development of veterinary medicine in Edinburgh.

The workshops and ICAHIS conference were both excellent learning opportunities and I gained numerous new knowledge on topics, formerly not very familiar to me.

Marguerite showed some photos of the ICAHIS meeting including scenes of beautiful Edinburgh.

SKILLS LABORATORY ONDERSTEPOORT CAMPUS University of Pretoria (HICSA meeting 20 November 2015)

The HICSA meeting of 20 November 2015 included a tour of the new Skills Laboratory at the Veterinary Faculty of the University of Pretoria. This is a state-of-the-art facility where veterinary students can practice skills in examining animals including taking blood smears, bandaging limbs and doing rectal examinations of large production animals. We enjoyed the visit and the interesting explanations given by our guide, Dr Elrien Scheepers.

HICSA : Saving the survivors : Surgical treatment of Rhinos after losing their horns to poachers

What an interesting talk on Saving the Survivors given by Dr Gerhard Steenkamp today at the HICSA meeting (20 November 2015)  
www.savingthesurvivors.org
After poachers have sawn or hacked off the horns of the rhinos he and his team try to save the rhino by treating the wounds enabling those that survive to continue their lives and some even manage to breed - this is the ultimate aim of the organisation, hopefully delaying the extinction of the species.

HICSA meeting 20 November 2015

HICSA meeting 20 November 2015

You are kindly invited to the next meeting of the Health Information Community of South Africa (HICSA), which is going to take place in the newly built Skills Lab Building, on the Onderstepoort Campus, University of Pretoria, on Friday, 20 November 2015 from 9:00 till lunch time. Our guest speakers will be Drs Gerhard Steenkamp and Johan Marais on the work their Saving the Survivors organisation is doing regarding Rhinos in South Africa. You are also invited to participate in a tour of the recently launched, state-of-the-art skills laboratory.  The proceedings will be concluded with a light lunch.

A detailed agenda will be sent to you closer to the date.

 

RSVP: On or before Monday, 16 November 2015 - Marguerite: 012 529 8474 or marguerite.nel@up.ac.za

 

Please invite other professionals in the field of health information to also attend the meeting and join the HICSA community.

 

Your attendance will be highly appreciated.

PROGRAMME HICSA 4TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE 25 NOVEMBER 2013

THE FOURTH NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE HEALTH INFORMATION COMMUNITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (HICSA) 25 November 2013 Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng “What have you been up to?” Preliminary Programme 9:00 – 10:00 REGISTRATION TEA / COFFEE & REFRESHMENTS 10:00 Welcoming Marguerite Nel (HICSA Chair) Implementing new ways of information delivery: 10:10 – 10:25 RSA Medical Information Journey Sue Dickinson, Abbvie (Pty) Ltd Special projects: 10:25 – 10:40 The Sun is shining in Tshwane!!! Abram Maboya, Health Sciences Library, University of Pretoria 10:40 – 10:55 Digital integration of Clinical Associates studies to Enhance Information Access and Improve the Quality of Clinical Training for Mid-Level Medical Professionals in South Africa SailasNyareza and John Capati American International Health Alliance, Pretoria, South Africa 10:55 – 11:10 The Gift. Antoinette Lourens, Jotello F Soga Library, UP Conferences attended: 11:10 – 11:25 "From conferences to connections: attending the 7th ICAHIS in Boston, Mass" Susan Marsh, Jotello F Soga Library, UP Perceptions of the health information environment: novice information workers 11:25 – 11:40 Taking off the training wheels EliscaCoetsee, Ampath Perceptions of the health information environment: experienced information workers 11:40 – 11:55 Days of our lives – a soap opera by the Medical Library staff MyleenOosthuizenet al – Health Sciences Library, University of Pretoria 11:55 – 12:10 Establishing an AHILA Chapter in South Africa ChipoMsengezi Information Training & Outreach Centre for Africa (ITOCA) 12:10 – 12:25 Wrap-up 12:30 – 13:00 AGM

HICSA 4th National Conference 25th November 2013

HICSA 4th National Conference 25th November 2013

Dear HICSA members and other health information workers

On behalf of the HICSA committee, I want to invite you to the Fourth National HICSA Conference.

With the theme "What have you been up to?" this promises to be an exciting, vibrant event, covering a large spectrum of topics (see attached preliminary programme).

  The conference will take place in the newly built, modern Postgraduate Student Centre at the Faculty of Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort on Monday, 25 November 2013 with registration starting from 9:00. Directions and a map to the Faculty of Veterinary Science are available at: http://web.up.ac.za/default.asp?ipkCategoryID=2505&sub=1&parentid=50&subid=1210&ipklookid=13

There will be no costs involved, but for space and catering purposes, we need you to register (please click on the link and fill in the form) not later than Wednesday, 20 November 2013. If you have trouble viewing or submitting this form, you may just send me an e-mail with your name, institution and if you have any special dietary requirements.

HICSA meeting of 5 August 2011 MINUTES

HICSA (GAUTENG) MEETING
WHO Offices, 7th Floor Metropark Building, 351 Schoeman Street, Pretoria

Friday, 5 August 2011, 14:00 - 16:00


MINUTES
PRESENT : 9

Carina van Zyl, Marguerite Nel, Erica van der Westhuizen, Susan Marsh, David Swanepoel, Suzy Nyakala, SailasNyareza, Michael Chimalizeni, Alfred Masiteng

APOLOGIES: 8

Antoinette Lourens, Berry Pflugler, TertiaCoetsee, Susan Dickinson, Ina Fourie, KabeloNzima, Anna-Marie Young, Anneline van der Gryp


1. Marguerite Nel welcomed all members and attendees at the meeting.

2. Alfred Masiteng of WHO Pretoria gave a brief introduction and explained the purpose of the meeting. Everybody present introduced themselves.

3. Michael Chimalizeni of ITOCA then gave a presentation on The Association of Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA): background, conferences and the importance in Africa. He also presented a proposal for the establishment of an AHILA chapter in South Africa.

The Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA) is a professional association founded in 1984 with now 46 country members and many partners and collaborators worldwide. AHILA aims to improve the provision of up-to-date and relevant information to health and medical workers in Africa. It also strives to encourage the professional development of librarianship and to promote the development of resource-sharing and exchange of experiences and information among African health information professionals. It further aims to promote the development, standardisation, and exchange of national databases of medical and health literature produced in the African countries in the form of an African Index Medicus (http://indexmedicus.afro.who.int/).Until recently, there was no formal, active AHILA chapter in South Africa. The most active chapter currently is Kenya.

Bi-annual congresses are held. The 2010 conference was in Burkina Faso and in 2012 it will be on the Cape Verde islands.

The AHILA-Net Listserv ahila@afro.who.int (Managed in Brazzaville, Congo) is a very active communication tool for members. WHO hosts the database in the Congo.

Partners for Health Info (PHI) is based in the UK. They are planning to set up a permanent secretariat in SA. ITOCA will give the AHILA secretariat physical space. Further funding and international partners are amongst others HIFA (Health Info for All) and WHO.

It was proposed to form a steering committee to start working on the constitution and terms of reference for AHILA, South Africa.

The proposed steering committee consists of the following members:

- Alfred Masiteng (WHO)
- Michael Chimalizeni (ITOCA)
- Suzy Nyakale (University of Pretoria)
- Marguerite Nel (representing HICSA)
- Hope Kabamba (United Nations Library)
- Erica van der Westhuizen will act in an advisory capacity

The ideal is to attend the AHILA 2012 conference in Cape Verde as a fully functional country chapter.

Alfred Masiteng will coordinate the activities of the steering committee and will inform all members of the first committee meeting.

It was asked if HICSA still needs to exist after the establishment of an active AHILA chapter in South Africa – as these two associations strive more or less towards the same goals. It was therefore suggested to arrange an annual general meeting for all HICSA members where the future of HICSA needs to be discussed. The date for this meeting was not set yet.

4. Marguerite Nel gave a brief presentation on her recent visit and internship in the United States of America. She also highlighted that she wants to apply these learning experiences and knowledge gained in the USA in supporting the information needs of Africa.

5. Due to the absence of the secretary as well as a large number of other HICSA members, it was decided to postpone the business meeting to the next HICSA meeting.

6. The meeting concluded and was dismissed.

HICSA meeting Friday 5 August 2011

You are kindly invited to the next meeting of the Health Information Community of South Africa (HICSA), which will take place at

the WHO Offices,
7th Floor Metropark Building,
351 Schoeman Street, Pretoria

on Friday, 5 August 2011, 14:00 - 16:00

AGENDA
14:00 Welcoming

14:10 - 14:30 Brief report back on US visit (Marguerite Nel)

14:30 - 15:00 The Association of Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA): background, conference and importance in Africa (Alfred Masiteng (WHO) and Michael Chimalizeni (ITOCA)

15:00 - 15:30 Discussion: The forming of an AHILA Country Chapter in South Africa

15:30 - 16:00 HICSA Business meeting (Agenda will follow later)

Please invite other professionals in the field of health information to also attend the meeting and join the HICSA community.
RSVP: On or before 2 August 2011 - Marguerite: 012 529 8474 or marguerite.nel@up.ac.za

In order to arrange parking, we also need to give the number of vehicles - so, let me know if we need to book a parking space for you.

Your attendance will be highly appreciated.

Kind regards
Marguerite Nel (Chair)
Jotello F Soga LibraryFaculty of Veterinary ScienceUniversity of PretoriaPrivate Bag X04ONDERSTEPOORT 0110SOUTH AFRICA
Tel: +27 12 529 8474
Fax: +27 12 529 8302
Marguerite.nel@up.ac.za http://www.ais.up.ac.za/vet/marg.htmAriel: 137.215.210.246

HICSA meeting of 24 November 2010 MINUTES

HICSA GAUTENG MEETING

Acacia room at Coffee @ Burgundy's, Klubsaal,
University of Pretoria, Hatfield Campus

Tuesday, 24 November 2009, 12:30

MINUTES

PRESENT : 16

Antoinette Lourens, Carina van Zyl, Neil Heslip, Marguerite Nel, Erica van der Westhuizen, Susan Marsh, , Tertia Coetsee, Vimbay Hungwe, Susan Dickinson, David Swanepoel, , Susan Scheepers, Ina Fourie, Kabelo Nzima, Suzy Nyakala, Anna-Marie Young, John van Niekerk

APOLOGIES: 1
Berry Pflugler

Sue Dickinson welcomed all members and attendees at the meeting.

Prof. Ina Fourie reported on the 10th International Congress of Medical Librarianship (ICML) 2009, Brisbane, 31 August - 4 September 2009.

She identified some areas for further studies in the field of medical librarianship. The following were discussed:

- Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) and Librarianship
- Collaboration with faculty for EBM
- Getting research findings into practice
- Information management – how do you manage your own information?
- Information behavior of people writing guides
- EBM websites
- Performance and quality measurement
- How can we improve our own searches?
- Research performance indicators
- Health Informatics
- Publishing trends and challenges
- Professional development
- Hospital libraries
- Technologies / Web 2.0 – Does it really make a difference?
- Disaster management and planning
- History
- Google Books
- Medical Biographies


Tertia Coetsee and Marguerite Nel gave feedback on the 6th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS) they attended in Brisbane as well as the libraries they visited during their time in Australia.

The main purpose of the visit was to attend the 10th International Congress on Medical Librarianship in Brisbane, Australia. This Congress is held every four or five years giving the health library sector an opportunity to meet together to address major issues confronting the profession. This has been the second time the ICAHIS Conference was held in association with the ICML and following on from the 5th Conference held in South Africa in July 2005, and hosted by the University of Pretoria, it was a great opportunity meeting again other librarians specialising in animal health from around the world to discuss a range of issues relevant to our profession.

The presentations at the ICAHIS conference covered a wide spectrum of topics, including usage studies, partnerships and collaboration, management of grey literature, challenges of technology in libraries and services for the NetGen, institutional repositories and user studies.

Visits to the University of Queensland as well as Sydney were discussed.

Marguerite Nel gave a presentation on “The role of health and medical library associations in the facilitation and sharing of information and knowledge”.

Some of the challenges are the changing role of librarians, the role of the internet, social networking and web 2.0 as new ways to share knowledge and ideas. Referring to a few international health and medical library associations, the role, benefits, strengths and weaknesses of HICSA were discussed. Thereafter everybody was invited to share opinions and ideas regarding the future of HICSA.

The following were decided:

- HICSA must continue to exist
- HICSA need to expand and invite librarians from the pharmaceutical companies as well as the Department of Health to join
- We must become more virtual but also have an annual meeting and a conference
- Need more workshops
- Must convey a survey to investigate the possibilities to join LIASA
- Make use of technology – blog/ wiki/ discussions on listserve
- Electronic newsletter – more regular
- Webpage – need to be updated
- Suggestion that we become an AHILA chapter
- Need to consider partnerships – LIASA / AHILA

Treasurers report

Neil discussed HICSA’s balance sheet. We have a positive bank balance in the FNB account. It is suggested to close the ABSA account due to the high amount of interest needed to be paid. However, the next treasurer can decide on this.

Election of 2010 - 2012 Management Committee

The following members were elected:

Chair: Marguerite Nel
Secretary: Kabelo Nzima
Treasurer: Susan Marsh
Liaison officer: Erica van der Westhuizen
Additional member: Vimbay Hungwe

HICSA Chair on internship in the USA

We wish Marguerite Nel, Chairperson of HICSA all of the best for the 3 months' internship she will be following this year in the USA.
There are 9 librarians selected from university libraries in South Africa who will be participating in this event arranged by the Mortenson Centre of the University of Illinois.

Marguerite says the purpose of her trip is as follows:

1. To attend a development programme at the Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, University of Illinois Library at Urbana-Champaign, 1402 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, Illinois 61801. (14 February – 1 March 2011).
2. To carry out a training visit to gain hands-on experience in Library research support at the University of California, Davis. Shields Library, 100 NW Quad, University of California, Davis, Davis CA 95616 (7 March to 29 April 2011).
2. To attend the ACRL 2011National Conference at the PA Convention Center, Philadelphia, PA. (30 March to 2 April 2011).

We are looking forward to hearing all about her experience at a HICSA meeting to be held after her return.

Vimbai Hungwe

OUR GREAT LOSS

VIMBAI HUNGWE – President of AHILA (Association of Health Information and Libraries in Africa), and committee member of HICSA (Health Information Community of South Africa)

Vimbai Matekaire Hungwe was killed in a car accident in Midrand on 6 June 2010. He was laid to rest in Zimbabwe on 12 June.
AHILA net has created a blog for VIMBAI http://vimbaihungwe.blogspot.com/?spref=fb
for those who wish to post their messages.

In South Africa Vimbai played a vital role in bringing AHILA to the attention of the medical and health information community.

At the HICSA meeting held on 24 November 2009 the new committee was elected.
CHAIR : Marguerite Nel (Jotello F. Soga Library, University of Pretoria)marguerite.nel@up.ac.za
Hon. SECRETARY : Kabelo Nzima (Basic Medical Sciences Library, University of Pretoria)kabelo.nzima@up.ac.za
Hon. TREASURER : Susan Marsh (Jotello F. Soga Library, University of Pretoria) susan.marsh@up.ac.za
Past Chair : Sue Dickinson (Library Abbott Laboratories) sue.dickinson@abbott.com
Liaison/Blog/News : Erica van der Westhuizen (retired) ericavdwest@gmail.com
Member : Vimbai Hungwe (current President of AHILA) vimbai@itoca.org

The photo above shows David Swanepoel (OVI library), John van Niekerk (MEDUNSA Library), Vimbai Hungwe (President AHILA) and Prof Ina Fourie (University of Pretoria).

At the 3rd HICSA conference, 24 November 2008, Onderstepoort, Vimbai gave a most interesting presentation on AHILA , sharing his enthusiasm for the organisation with his South African audience. It was largely due to his influence that the medical and related health librarians became inspired to join the AHILA fraternity. Vimbai was elected to serve on the new HICSA committee for 2010 – 2012.

At the meeting of 24 November 2009 he once again promoted AHILA and we knew that with him as committee member we would definitely be motivated to pursue this objective.

Photo above: Vimbai addressing the HICSA conference, 24 November 2008, Onderstepoort

I hope that his inspiration will not have been in vain and that HICSA will become an active participant in the AHILA community.

Erica van der Westhuizen, joint signatory with Vimbai for the AHILA bank account, South Africa

Role of health & medical library associations - Marguerite Nel

The role of health and medical library associations in the facilitation and sharing of information and knowledge by Marguerite Nel (HICSA, 24 November 2009)

Never before have there been so many opportunities for involvement in an information-based society as we are experiencing today. New challenges in electronic and multi-media publishing, local, national and global networking opportunities, new developments and tools for accessing, sharing and creation of knowledge and the increasing array of computers, communication and technology networks emerge to create new options for information capturing, storage, retrieval and delivery. Then there is a new focus on open source information and more and more databases with free access to medical information appear constantly. Even with Google – information is only a click away.
All these factors play a role when assessing the need for a heath information interest group. One may ask the question, with all this information and opportunities, is there still a need for us to getting involved in social networking (as we did this afternoon)? Is face to face meetings still important? What about the challenges for collaboration on the interactive web? Maybe a facebook group – or discussions on Twitter?
These are the questions I want to address this afternoon. And at the end of my presentation I want us to discuss the future of HICSA.

When looking at this definition for social networking, as discussed in an OCLC membership report, we can say that the main functions of a group, like HICSA, are to establish and enhance relationships based on our common interest in health information as well as the sharing of ideas, skills and interest. The Internet made this communication more effective without boundaries of time or geographic location.

Interactive communication through social networking tools on the Internet are now possible. Just think how easy, quick and cost effective meetings through Facebook, Twitter or even on our Blog will be. It may be necessary to investigate all the possibilities of these social networking tools for the sharing of information and knowledge in an interest group, such as HICSA. The opportunities are countless, but are we willing to interact only through these means of communication?

My intention, however this afternoon, is not really to discuss the challenges and maybe threats of a virtual health association. I rather want to focus on the need for such an association in South Africa. But first, I think it is important to look at other health library associations around the globe - their functions in the profession and what they are able to deliver to their members.
One of the interest groups of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in the United Kingdom, is the Health Libraries Group. It has 1500 members.
A very well known, well-organised group in Europe, is the European Association for Health Information and Libraries. I was fortunate to attend their 9th annual conference in Santander, Spain, during September 2004. Their next conference will be next year, in June in Lisbon, Portugal.
Still in Europe, is the Health Sciences Libraries group, a section of the Library Association of Ireland. Like HICSA, this group also has only one annual meeting and they focus a lot on professional development and training through the presentation of workshops.
As you know, everything is better and bigger in the USA. The MLA is one of the largest medical library associations in the world. One of the many functions of the MLA is to assist medical librarians in continuing education.
Back on the African continent, is the Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa, AHILA. This group is very active – especially on the sharing of information and knowledge through the listserve. They publish several information products, such as the African Index Medicus and has a conference every year. Some of us attended an AHILA conference in Swaziland, a few years ago and found it very interesting and informative.
In conclusion on what we just learned from what other associations are doing, we may suggest the following functions or objectives of a health information or library association:
One of the main objectives is to share information and expertise. In HICSA’s case, this is done through our regular meetings, such as this one as well as through communication on the listserve. Our conference every four years also contribute to the exchange of experiences and knowledge. HICSA also tries to present regular workshops. There were, for example our workshops on Blogging, creativity, Web 2.0 tools and Gaming – to mention only a few. At this stage, HICSA doesn’t really play a role in advocacy, recruitment or leadership in the profession.

Most of the discussed associations offer a rich array of benefits for people in all stages of their careers and in many fields relating to health sciences information. These benefits are promoted to their members. At this stage, HICSA only provides a platform for information and knowledge sharing through networking.

Currently HICSA has a well functioning listserve. We also use Web 2.0 technology, such as our Blog (created and maintained by Erica) and we also used a Wiki for our previous conference. We have an annual meeting, a conference every fourth year and we presented a few successful workshops.

I think the main problem with HICSA is, that it isn’t promoted to all role players in the field of health information and librarianship. Time is one of the biggest constraints and people feel that HICSA doesn’t contribute anything to their career or profession. This is just my opinion – but it will be interesting to further investigate or discuss this issue.

The question now is, do you think HICSA has a role to play? Do you think we must continue – and maybe put in more effort, developing it into a new direction where it can play a more important national role. What about the opportunities of the interactive web? Maybe a Facebook group? Or must we continue the way it is. The other option is to just discontinue any efforts to make it work.
The floor is now open for your opinions.

New Secretary and Treasurer : HICSA 2010 - 2012

Kabelo Nzima of the Basic Medical Sciences and Dentistry Library, University of Pretoria is the new Hon. Secretary (on photo left). Neil Heslip (next on photo) is the outgoing Hon. Treasurer. Marguerite Nel of the Jotello F. Soga Library, UP is the new Chair. She is 3rd from the left on the photo. Tertia Coetsee appears next to her.

Photos, HICSA meeting 24 November 2009 continue

Various medical and veterinary librarians of South Africa attended the HICSA meeting held on 24 November 2009.

Susan Marsh (Jotello F. Soga Library, formerly head of the Basic Medical Sciences and Dentistry Library, UP) and Neil Heslip (formerly of the MEDUNSA Library, now retired, and former Hon. Treasurer, HICSA) appear on the photo right.

Sue Dickinson of Abbott Laboratories Library and Information Centre and Tertia Coetsee (Jotello F. Soga Library, UP), who gave a reportback on the conference in Australia appear top left.

Photos, HICSA meeting 24 November 2009

Prof Ina Fourie of the Dept of Information Science, University of Pretoria gave an interesting overview of the 10 ICML (International Congress of Medical Librarians) held in September in Brisbane, Australia.

Marguerite Nel and Tertia Coetsee gave a reportback on the 6th International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists (ICAHIS) which was held jointly with 10 ICML.

Marguerite then presented a paper on the important role of medical library interest groups or associations, asking whether HICSA should continue and what role it could play in future. It was agreed that HICSA should look at opportunities to become part of larger associations such as LIASA (Library and Information Association of South Africa - http://www.liasa.org.za/) and AHILA (Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa - http://www.ahila.org/).

A survey will be undertaken next year on the current situation regarding medical and related health libraries in South Africa.

The photo above shows Prof Ina Fourie addressing the meeting. David Swanepoel (OVI library), John van Niekerk (MEDUNSA Library), Vimbai Hungwe (President AHILA) and Prof Ina Fourie appear on the top photo.

HICSA Committee 2010 - 2012

At the HICSA meeting held on 24 November 2009 the new committee was elected.

CHAIR : Marguerite Nel (Jotello F. Soga Library, University of Pretoria)marguerite.nel@up.ac.za

Hon. SECRETARY : Kabelo Nzima (Basic Medical Sciences Library, University of Pretoria)kabelo.nzima@up.ac.za

Hon. TREASURER : Susan Marsh (Jotello F. Soga Library, University of Pretoria) susan.marsh@up.ac.za

Past Chair : Sue Dickinson (Library Abbott Laboratories) sue.dickinson@abbott.com

Liason/Blog/News : Erica van der Westhuizen (retired) ericavdwest@gmail.com

Member : Vimbai Hungwe (current President of AHILA) vimbai@itoca.org

HICSA Gauteng meeting, 24 November 2009

The next HICSA meeting will be held on 24 November 2009 at Burgundy's, (Acacia Room) Hatfield Campus of the University of Pretoria. Lunch will first be served (13:00 - 13:45) and then the meeting will start.

13:50 -14:10 Report back on 10th ICML (International Congress of Medical Librarianship), 31 August - 4 September 2009, Brisbane, Australia - Prof Ina Fourie.

14:10 - 14:30 Report back on 6th ICAHIS (International Conference of Animal Health Information Specialists), 3-4 September 2009, Brisbane.
Visits to libraries in Brisbane and Sydney - Tertia Coetsee and Marguerite Nel.

14:30 - 14:50 The role of health and medical library associations in the facilitation and sharing of information and knowledge - Marguerite Nel.

14:50 - 15:00 Discussion
15:00 - 15:20 Tea / coffee
15:20 - 16:00 Business meeting and election of 2010 - 2012 Management Committee.

Marguerite Nel, Hon. Secretary - tel.012-5298474 marguerite.nel@up.ac.za

Networking for human and animal health: MEDLIG and HICSA reminiscences

NETWORKING FOR HUMAN AND ANIMAL HEALTH; MEDLIG AND HICSA REMINISCENCES

Erica van der Westhuizen
Veterinary Science Library
University of Pretoria

3rd HICSA conference, 24 November 2008, Onderstepoort


INTRODUCTION
An association of medical librarians in South Africa was formed in the 1980’s, called MEDLIG.
I remember those early meetings, with Maureen Brassell as secretary and Elizabeth Robinson, Lily Battaglia and later Glenda Myers, as Chairs. Maureen was from the medical Library of UP, and Elizabeth was the Head of the Wits Medical Library.
I can still recall the meeting at the Wits med library where Elizabeth told us of her frustrations when the new medical library was designed and built, with architects following their own ideas instead of listening to the wise librarians. I had exactly the same experience a few years later when our new veterinary library was built.

After Elizabeth, Glenda became chair and inspired us in those years with all her overseas visits to libraries and medical librarians conferences. When SAILIS became LIASA and little interest groups were encouraged to join the mother organization MEDLIG kept a low profile, the idea of paying membership fees and following rules of other controlling bodies seemed not very attractive to such a small group.
To this day, like SAOUG, MEDLIG/HICSA has maintained this independence.

 MEDLIG 1980’s

MEDLIG started in 1981.

 The Regulations 3 September 1981
The files show documents regarding Regulations adopted on 3 September 1981, where members agreed to only share information of a strictly non-confidential nature.

 Fees – R8.00 1980’s, 1990’s
 - R30.00 2000-2006
 - free – 2007, 2008
By 1991 there were 31 paid-up members. The fees were R8.00 per annum.
The membership list includes members who are still with us today;
Magriet Lee, David Swanepoel, Maureen Brassell, Lily Battaglia, Neil Heslip, John van Niekerk, and Erica vdWesthuizen.
Louise Temkin, a well known librarian / KM expert today, was the treasurer.




CHAIRS
 Elizabeth Robinson
 Glenda Myers
 Lily Battaglia
 Maureen Brassel
 Berry Pflugler (HICSA)


OTHERS OF SIGNIFICANCE
 Yvette Gory
 Louise Temkin
 Neil Heslip (Treasurer)
Judith Shopley


EARLY TOPICS

Some fascinating topics were covered in those early days
 AIDS (1988) (Surely a rather unknown subject for library meetings at the time? But with what foresight, arranged by Elizabeth Robinson.
 Betrayers of the Truth (1988) a review of a book with this title, by Magiet Lee. It dealt with fraud in medical literature and medicine.
 Forensic odontology (1991) This was a fascinating lecture by an expert, Prof Ligthelm, at the Premedical library, UP
 Eating disorders (TARA) (1992)
 Edblo Sleep Clinic (1993)

 Roodeplaat Research Lab (1993)
 Human Genetics Lab, SAIMR (1993)
 Intellectual property, Glaxo-Wellcome(1999)
 MLA (USA) reportback, Myleen Oosthuizen and Annamarie Young, UPMed (1999)

THE END OF MEDLIG
 The change from SAILIS to LIASA
 16 April 1998 meeting at Wits Health Sciences Library. MEDLIG quo vadis?
 23 Feb 2000 last MEDLIG meeting

CHANGING TO HICSA
 24 – 25 November 1999 –
1st National Meeting, Bloemfontein
 HICSA national body with 2 branches:
Gauteng and KZNatal

NATIONAL COMMITTEE

 Berry Pflugler (Chair)
 Neil Heslip (Treasurer)
 Erica vd Westhuizen
 David Swanepoel
 Norma Russell (KZN)
 Eugenie Sohnge (Cape)
 Huibre Lombard (Free State)

HICSA LOGO
Designed by Margaret Crampton’s artist daughter.Margaret is director of NISC, Grahamstown. The 3 figures are linked, to show they are a community. The open book represents information/knowledge. Their African look places them in context. And if you look closely you will see the 2 outer figures are female, with a male in the middle.

HICSA IN THE 2000’S

 2 meetings held in 2000
 2001 – 2nd National Meeting, Sept
 Gauteng meeting at Intervet, Spartan

THE DECLINE OF HICSA MEETINGS (decline in number held)
 2002
 2003 Nov, UPVet library (Human/animal bond)
 2004 2nd Conference
 2005 April at ARC Irene
November at Abbott Lab. (COPs)
2006 CSIR (Conservation medicine)
2007 Abbott Lab. (on being a researcher)
2008 May at UPVet (Camel anatomy atlas)
(plus workshop – on Flickr)

HICSA’S VIABILITY

 All agree it should continue
 Not more than 2 meetings per year
 Workshops are popular
 Annual conference


CONFERENCES

 Bloemfontein (1st national meeting) 24/25 November1999
 Bloem again (2nd national conference) 8/9 November 2004
 Pretoria (Onderstepoort) (3rd national
conference) 24/25 November 2008

 THE 2nd NATIONAL CONFERENCE
 BLOEMFONTEIN
8-9 November 2004

 Caring and sharing:
 information support for a healthy nation

 The second National Conference of the Health Information Community(HICSA) is an opportunity for Health Information workers from all over South Africa to meet and share knowledge and expertise.
 This conference will be held at the Main Library of the University of the Free State.


 THE THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE HEALTH INFORMATION COMMUNITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (HICSA)
 24 & 25 November 2008
 Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng
 THEME: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Towards a new future for health libraries.

COMMUNICATING

 Newsletter THE MEDICAL LIBRARIAN

 Editor: John van Niekerk
HICSA also had a newsletter , first edited by Judith Shopley. When she retired from SANCA the newsletter stopped. It needs to be resuscitated!
The HICSA blog serves as a newsletter in the meantime.

 Listserv (Hosted by UP)
 hicsa@kendy.up.ac.za

HICSA CONFERENCE WIKI

 http://hicsa.wikispaces.com/
 by Marguerite Nel
 a blog you can visit to read about previous conferences –
http://hicsa-healthlibraries.blogspot.com/
Run by Erica van der Westhuizen




THE WEB PAGE OF HICSA

 For some background on HICSA please visit the web page at http://www.library.up.ac.za/vet/hicsa/
 By Marguerite Nel, University of Pretoria
 (originally hosted by the UOFS)

AHILA

This is the Association of Health information and Libraries in Africa. You will hear more about it in a later presentation by the new president, Vimbai Hwange later during this conference.

 MEDLIG / HICSA members’ participation
At conferences of the Association of Health Information

Some HICSA members were able to attend AHILA conferences. They are held in African countries every 2 years. E.g. 1996, Brazzaville, Congo, 1998 Lusaka, Zambia, 2000 Swaziland.

South Africa has not yet hosted one – maybe the time is approaching when we should also participate in such an event in our own country! Showing our involvement with health information beyond our borders.

 MEDLIG / HICSA members’ participation
 conferences of the Association of Health Information

IN CONCLUSION

To end, I would like to point out the link between human and animal health issues. Overseas, especially in the USA, there is now a shift to the concept of ONE MEDICINE, or ONE HEALTH to focus on the inter-relationship between the various species and also the environment..
This is why we veterinary librarians have always tried to play a role within HICSA, formerly MEDLIG. Without healthy animals, there cannot be healthy humans!

Thank you.

Internet search stories

A True Summer Internet Search Story (from Stephen's Lighthouse blog)

http://stephenslighthouse.sirsidynix.com/archives/2008/08/a_true_summer_i.html

This true story doesn't start out funny. A close and old (not that old - just 50) friend was getting ready for an Alaskan Cruise. As Mary (not her real name) packed and tried on clothes she fell and broke her right hip and left wrist. Yuck. She doesn't have a full length mirror so she stood on the edge of the bathtub to see her hem length and fell in. Double yuck. [She now has a full-length mirror.]
Anyway, the hospital repaired her hip and wrist (twice) and got her started on physiotherapy. ... she was coming along nicely when she got a little worried by a clicking sound in her hip. Did she phone the library? Did she phone the great TPL Consumer Health Information Centre? Did she call her doctor? Of course not, she went on the Internet.

So she searches the Internet in direct violation of Abram's rule that no one should ever search their OWN medical conditions alone online. This I learned from deep personal experience.

She finds a site that seems directly on point - clicking sounds in the hip!
She reads the first paragraph. It doesn't sound good.
She reads the second paragraph. It's beginning to sound pretty scary.
By the third paragraph tears are welling in her eyes as she fears more medical interventions and pain. She's getting quite worried.

The fourth paragraph starts . . ...................
.....................

.....................

....................



"Once you reach the paws . . ."

Yes folks, Google can't separate vet sites from human sites. But you knew that.
Maybe we need to license sick people to search and offer training at the point of need.
Anyway, 'Mary' provided my laugh of the summer, despite her pain. (BTW, the clicking is nothing abnormal.)
Stephen
Posted by stephen at August 19, 2008 4:05 PM

3rd HICSA National Conference CALL FOR PAPERS

You are invited to submit an abstract for the following conference:

THE THIRD NATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE HEALTH INFORMATION COMMUNITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (HICSA)
24 & 25 November 2008
Onderstepoort, Pretoria, Gauteng

THEME: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow: Towards a new future for health libraries.

Sub themes include the following:

Yesterday: “Make the history live again!”
- Digital repositories
- Indigenous knowledge
- Traditional medicine

Today: “We’re in this together!”
- Collaboration and sharing
- Partnerships
- Communication of information & knowledge
- Web / Library 2.0 Applications to enhance library services
- Serving our clients

Tomorrow: “What’s new?”
- Tomorrow will learn from today: Evidence–based medicine
- Serving tomorrow’s leaders: new trends in education
- The future of libraries
- Innovation in the library environment
- Challenges of Change
- Marketing your library
- The librarian of the future

The conference will take place at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute and will include keynote papers and paper presentation sessions. A workshop will be held after the conference at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria (Onderstepoort). It will focus on Library 2.0 / Web 2.0 applications.

I would particularly like to invite you to respond to the conference call for papers. Papers submitted for the conference proceedings will be published online.

The deadline for the call for papers is 3 October 2008. Abstracts (max 500 words) can be e-mailed to marguerite.nel@up.ac.za

A Conference Web Page or Blog will soon be available with all the information as well as registration details.

Marguerite Nel
Hon. Secretary HICSA