Dr. Lindberg was a pioneer in using computer technology to improve health care. Beginning his career in 1960 at the University of Missouri as a professor of information science and pathology, he was named Director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in 1984 and served until 2015.
Each month we provide an overview of University of Missouri authored articles in medicine and related fields as well as a featured article from a School of Medicine author with the highest journal impact factor.
The University Libraries Undergraduate Research Contest recognizes and rewards outstanding research conducted by undergraduate students at the University of Missouri. Undergraduates in any discipline are invited to enter the contest, which will be judged by a cross-disciplinary panel of librarians.
One $500 scholarship, and one $250 scholarship will be awarded to an individual or group project. The winners will have their projects archived in MOspace, MU’s digital repository.
The research project can be a traditional research paper, a musical composition, a work of art, a video, a web page, or other creative work. It has to have been researched using the resources of the MU Libraries. The project will be judged primarily on sophistication of the research process and the materials used (as documented in the Research Process Statement).
Examples of projects:
A set design for theater where the student researched period-appropriate furniture, lighting, and architecture to create the perfect backdrop
A documentary film for class that researches the history of race relations at MU using library and archive materials
Composition of a piece of music created in the style of a famous composer informed by research into their style, skills, etc. through library materials
A business plan for a new company or product showing market need, demographics of customers, patents, design, etc. informed by research using library materials
A political science paper comparing the rise of fascism today with that in the early 20th century
A parody of a famous piece of literature or any original piece of fiction for which the author did library research for their setting, criticisms, etc.
For over 23 years, Tami Day has worked for the University of Missouri’s Health Care system receiving all her education from the MU’s Sinclair School of Nursing and utilizing the library a lot over the years.
Tami appreciates how helpful the librarians have been throughout her nursing education. Back when Tami first started nursing school, she’d find journals and make copies of the articles; now she can find articles online and email them out. “That has been a huge game changer in the 25 years I’ve been at the university,” she said. “Back then I’d physically go to the library and find the books, now you’re just a few clicks away from the information you want.”
A few years ago, Tami went back to school to work on her master’s degree. This program focused on evidence-based practice with an emphasis on approaches to clinical care and taking clinical problems to design improvement projects. Tami relies heavily on the librarians and their research skills. For Tami, Taira Meadowcroft, information services librarian at the Health Sciences Library, became an invaluable resource. Tami first met Taira when Taira was assigned to the Positive Individual Proactive Support (PIPS) program. Taira provided research support to the PIPs to help improve the quality of health in the hospital.
Taira Meadowcroft
Since Taira was providing support to the PIPS, Tami asked Taira for help in her master’s program as most of those projects would help Tami’s work in the hospital. For example, Tami said she can email Taira the topic of a project and ask for the highest level of evidence. In one instance, Taira sent Tami 23 articles within one hour. It would have taken Tami several hours to find the same information.
When Taira receives a request to find literature, she spends a good amount of time educating herself on the topic in order find the best evidence. ”A librarian should be one of the first steps before starting a project. Seeing what information is out there is important when deciding if and how to pursue that project,” said Taira. “It’s easier and more efficient to have a librarian do a search and it frees up your time.”
Tami and Taira’s working relationship continues to evolve and now Taira is supporting Tami with her doctoral program and in her new role as coordinator of Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice. As coordinator, she’s working to make University Hospital a Magnet designated hospital through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Achieving this designation would place MU Health Care in an elite group of hospitals, resulting in better patient outcomes and less nursing turn over through evidence-based practice.
”Nurses are busy people and searching for literature is just one more thing you are asked to do, but it’s important for the overall health of the patients,” said Taira. “My favorite part of my job is that I can help contribute to the health of patients, working behind the scenes to find the best evidence, while nurses tend to a patient’s bed side.” Taira’s searches are also assisting in the goal of the Magnet designation.
Dr. Donald Lindberg was a pioneer in using computer technology to improve health care. Beginning his career in 1960 at the University of Missouri as a professor of information science and pathology, he was named Director of the National Library of Medicine (NLM) in 1984 and served until 2015.
During his tenure at the NLM, he spearheaded digitizing the library’s vast holdings to make them accessible to researchers around the world. For the first time clinical trials, environmental data, and genomic information were available to users. In addition to this work, he helped establish the National Center for Biotechnology Information, which provides access to the results of the human genome project and to current as well as historical full-text biomedical and life sciences journals . To learn more about Dr. Lindberg’s life please read the New York Times write up about him as well as the piece by the National Institutes of Health.
The University Libraries Honor with Books program lets patrons honor someone special with a book purchase. Every $100 increment funds the acquisition of one new book selected by the Health Sciences Library’s subject specialists.
Each month we provide an overview of University of Missouri authored articles in medicine and related fields as well as a featured article from a School of Medicine author with the highest journal impact factor.
Visit Ellis Library immediately after the Homecoming Parade on Saturday, Oct. 12 for refreshments and family activities.The first 100 kids will receive a free mini pumpkin. This event is free and open to the public.
The paintings and drawings by Lisa Brooke currently on display in the library have viewers commenting “I thought they were photos” and as one viewer added, “they look better than photos!”
These must-see artworks are done in acrylic or colored pencil. Each has an authentic look that has much to do with the carefully chosen colors and the exquisite fine detail work. Take a good look at the feathers on the roosters and other birds. Notice the execution of drifted snow, melting snow, the colors of the snow applied to show reflected sunlight and shadows. Find how well the rabbit and quail prey in the pictures blend in with their surroundings, just as in life. In addition to depicting wildlife, Lisa enjoys making portraits of people and of pets.
We are pleased to host this display through the end of January 2020. To see more artworks by Lisa visit her Facebook page “Art by Lisa Brooke”.
