Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association

Open Spaces, Frontier Places

MCMLA 2008 conference: Cody, Wyoming October 3rd - 7th

A great opportunity to focus on rural issues in a rural setting.

Please visit our Wiki for more conference details. You'll see
great photos and maps, local history, and our classy conference
MCMLA 2008 T-Shirt. There is even a contest for “Frontier Forerunners
of Library Marketing and Promotion!” Come take a look, start a thread,
or just add your comments. We would love to hear from you.
http://mcmla2008openspaces.wetpaint.com/

MCMLA 2008 - Call for posters and papers!
Open Spaces, Frontier Places
The Sky's the Limit!

Open - accessible to all; unrestricted as to participants; free from limitations, boundaries; affording unobstructed passage or view.
Space - the infinite extension of the three-dimensional region in which all matter exists.
Frontier - an area just beyond or at the edge of a settled area; an undeveloped area or field for discovery or research.
Place - a space, area, or spot, set apart or used for a specific purpose.

Are you exploring open spaces in the delivery of health care information to rural or urban clients? Are you on the frontier in teaching or providing knowledge-based resources to library users in a unique setting or to a unique set of patrons? Have you designated a place in the library for a new, innovative purpose? Are you using innovative means to serve the underserved in rural or urban settings? Is your library using Web 2.0 / open source software / social networking to deliver information? Have you initiated a new research project?

Please share your story with us at the MCMLA 2008, “Open Spaces, Frontier Places” poster and paper presentation sessions.

Some ideas include:

• Research - surveys, assessment, statistics, theories, overviews
• Teaching and learning - methods, strategies, models, one-on-one, classes, distance delivery
• Electronic information and delivery - collection development, e-books, databases, web 2.0
• Administration and support services - program development, ILL, document delivery
• Collaboration - public libraries, consortia, tribal communities
• Marketing and Publicity - methods, achievements

Paper presentations should be 15 minutes long and in a lecture format scheduled for Oct. 5, 2008. Posters will be displayed and discussed during the 75 minute poster session on Oct. 6, 2008.

Submission Requirements:
Submitters should follow the format of the structured abstract. An explanation of a structured abstract is available at http://www.research.mlanet.org/various_abstracts.html
Examples are available at
http://www.research.mlanet.org/abstract-nonblinded.html
http://www.research.mlanet.org/various_abstracts.html

All abstracts must be submitted under the following criteria:

• .doc or .rtf document format
• 12 point font
• Title
• Authors and affiliation
• Theme and format(see above)
• Abstract length - 500 words

Panel discussion, workshops, and discussion groups must specify specific talking points, activities, and perspectives. Please state any special equipment requirements All abstracts must be submitted electronically to: Claire Hamasu:chamasu@rml4.utah.edu