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
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
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.
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.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
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
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
Thursday, December 10, 2009
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.
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.
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