O.C. Tom National Library of Medicine Fellow

When I first arrived at the Himmelfarb Library, I had no idea what my role was going to be or what purpose I was to serve. I simply knew that I had selected a second-year institution that noted some promise of entertaining me with projects related to my interest in information technologies. I held no interest in conforming to the typical librarian stereotype. By that I mean I was out to let patrons know that not all librarians wore knitted sweaters, wore their hair in a bun, and perfected the art of "shushing."

I came to the Himmelfarb Library by way of the National Library of Medicine (NLM). I was a participant in the NLM Associate Fellowship Program. The program consists of spending one year at NLM learning the ins-and-outs of how a national library operates. After one year, participants have the option of continuing the program at another institution where they are to become integrated into the functions of the library. Because I had an interest in observing how an academic health sciences library operated, I chose to spend the year at GWU's Himmelfarb Library.

During my first months at Himmelfarb, I received an extensive orientation to each department within the library and was bombarded with more details than one would predict, but nonetheless was enlightened. My introduction to the various departments also allowed me to be thoroughly introduced to the staff members and each of their responsibilities. Upon learning the impressive workload of the staff, I knew I was going to have to work extra hard just to make my existence known.

One of the great things about my year at Himmelfarb is that it catered to my professional and personal interests in librarianship. I have always been interested in information seeking behaviors, and was able to explore that curiosity throughout the year. I observed two separate Problem-Based Learning groups of first year medical students, and was able to take note of the interaction between students and the physician and librarian tutors. I also partook in weekly Reference Desk shifts where I helped to answer a wide range of questions ranging from navigation tips for YouTube™ to finding information on lung radiotherapy-induced pneumonitis.

In addition to my public services duties, I spent a considerable amount of time in my generously windowed cubicle researching and completing several projects. One project was entitled The Evaluation of the Role of Web 2.0 Technologies and Social Networking Tools as Curriculum Integration Mechanisms within the Academic Health Sciences Library. The purpose of this project was to assess which Web 2.0 technologies were being used by academic health sciences libraries, note their usage and effectiveness, and provide recommendations for Web 2.0 to be used here at Himmelfarb. Another project was the evaluation and renovation of the Himmelfarb Internet Resources database. The purpose of this project was to evaluate the current Internet Resources database and propose changes to improve use of linked resources.

My overall goal while here at Himmelfarb was to simply become a better librarian while hopefully helping the library's mission in some way. The tasks that I was assigned to, the committees I served on, the students I interacted with, and the faculty I assisted ensured that I have not only become a better librarian, but I have become a member of the Himmelfarb family as well. I have enjoyed my year here at Himmelfarb and am thankful to each staff member for taking time from their very busy work lives to share some of their knowledge with me.