New to MLGSCA – Virginia Pannabecker
Posted on March 20, 2013 by Kathleen Shepler | No Comments
Virginia Pannabecker, MA, MLS, AHIP
Here’s your opportunity to get to know more about one of our newer members. Don’t miss Virginia’s invitation at the bottom.
What was your background before becoming a medical librarian? My experience in academic libraries began in 1995. I’ve worked in Access Services, Technical Services, Reference/Research Services, Instruction, Liaison work, Collection Management, and Supervision. My subject area background has mostly been in the Humanities, but as a generalist at many service points, I’ve built several years experience in assisting with research of all subjects, including Health Sciences. In 2008 I was able to further specialize in Sciences, Engineering, and Health Sciences when I moved to a position at the Noble Science and Engineering Library on ASU’s Tempe campus.
What was your first professional position? My first professional position was as an Assistant Language Teacher with the JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program in Japan where I was employed by the Kashimadai Town Board of Education. I taught English at all levels from nursery school, elementary school and junior high to adult community center programs. As a librarian, my first professional level position was part-time as an interim subject specialist for English Language and Literature, Linguistics, and Creative Writing at the ASU Libraries’, Tempe campus in 2006-07.
How did you become interested in medical librarianship? Sheila Hofstetter, Health Sciences Librarian at ASU Libraries’ Noble Science & Engineering Library was my mentor in this area and still is! Sheila and Kathleen Carlson (former Health Sciences Librarian at the ASU Downtown campus and current Education Librarian at the Arizona Health Sciences Library, Phoenix campus) inspired me to learn more about Health Sciences Librarianship and the Medical Library field with their enthusiastic descriptions of working in hospital libraries and in academic health sciences/medical libraries to support doctors, nurses, clinicians, physical therapists, and those studying or working on research in those fields. Sheila encouraged me to join CABL (Central Arizona Biomedical Libraries), which is where I began to meet others in Arizona who work in medical or health sciences libraries, learn about current trends and issues in Health Sciences Librarianship, and where I learned about and decided to join MLGSCA.
What advice would you give to new librarians? Don’t hesitate to get involved now in professional associations related to librarianship in general and to your particular interests in the information field! Professional associations have provided me with more opportunities than any other single entity regarding: understanding information issues, opportunities for professional development, engagement with local and distant colleagues and support for best practices on topics that come up in day to day work. Also, if you think you’ll provide in-person information and how-to sessions in your area of interest, *find opportunities* to learn about and get experience in instruction/teaching – this will serve you well in your work and in applying for many positions in the field.
What is your current position? I am one of two Health Sciences Librarians at ASU Libraries’ Downtown Phoenix Campus Library. My colleague, Kevin Pardon, and I support the College of Health Solutions at ASU, which includes the College of Nursing and Health Innovation (CONHI) and the School of Nutrition and Health Promotion (SNHP), as well as additional initiatives, programs and research centers that connect within Health Solutions. I provide course support (guides, instruction), collection development, and subject-specific research assistance for ASU students, staff, and faculty: in-person, over the phone, and through various electronic means (including online research and course guides, online tutorials, chat, email and Skype). I also work to support and further issues of importance to ASU Libraries, ASU and the public, such as support for overall Information Literacy skills, Evidence Based Practice research, Open Access publishing of research and Open Education resources.
What do you find most interesting about your current position? I love the variety of activities and the topics that come up such as pedagogy in a mixed environment of in-person, hybrid, and online programs; health sciences from every possible aspect (patient, provider, location; Nutrition, Nursing, Exercise and Wellness, and Health Sciences Policy); and overall information access and use issues (EBP, Open Access, Open Education, and Copyright).
What are your future goals/plans? I began my AHIP this year and am excited to work through the objectives my mentor and I set for 2013. I’d also like to find opportunities for collaboration with public and/or medical libraries to promote Health Literacy, Open Access, and their interdependency in access for all to quality health information and research. Are you interested in this? Contact me and let’s work towards a joint program for this October to increase public awareness of the amazing, quality Open Access health resources available to everyone!
Category: Newbies
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