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In recent years, there has been an increased awareness of mental health, mental illness stigma, and how it impacts people in all areas of life. While many workplaces offer services and accommodations for employees with mental health or mental illness concerns, people may face structural barriers when attempting to access these services. Additionally, it is difficult engaging in conversations about mental wellness as harmful stereotypes about mental illness impacts the ways people think about or imagine a person with mental illnesses. 

Burns & Green (2019) and Lo & Herman (2017) published research on mental illness and its impacts on academic librarians; their findings illuminated perceptions and misconceptions about mental illness among the study's population and some respondents shared personal stories about their experiences with being open about their mental illness diagnoses with their colleagues. Both articles are excellent ways to learn more about these topics and they serve as introductions to better understanding how people with mental illnesses navigate the workplace. 

In ‘Academic Librarians’ Experiences and Perceptions on Mental Illness Stigma and the Workplace’, Burns & Green focus specifically on how mental illness stigma plays a role in academic librarians’ professional lives. The researchers surveyed hundreds of academic librarians, collecting data about “concerns around discrimination…disclosure…[and] self-esteem as a whole.” (Burns & Green, 2019, pg 641)  Based on quantitative and qualitative data, “the most obvious finding is that there is a fear of disclosing one’s own mental illness in the academic library environment.” (Burns & Green, 2019, pg 653) Survey respondents shared their stories about their decision to disclose their mental illness diagnosis, the support they may or may receive at their individual institutions, and what work they believe needs to be done to address stigma and shame. 

Alternatively,  ‘An Investigation of Factors Impacting the Wellness of Academic Library Employees’ by Lo & Herman looks at the term “wellness”, how workplaces incorporate or fail to incorporate wellness into their settings, and the factors that contribute to academic librarians’ overall sense of wellness. “This study reveals that most academic library employees feel overwhelmed quite frequently. While age and working overtime are factors, the attitude of the individual also has an impact.” (Lo & Herman, 2017, pg. 802) The researchers also found that academic librarians valued other forms of wellness besides physical wellness. They wrote that “Age again seems to be an important factor regarding respondents’ perception of the different dimensions of wellness…Overall, respondents placed higher importance on their spiritual wellness and intellectual wellness than physical wellness.”(Lo & Herman, 2017, pg. 803)

Lo & Herman and Burns & Green’s research shows that addressing mental illness and wellness in the workplace may be complex, but the end results may be highly valued and beneficial to employees. Having conversations with colleagues about wellness in the workplace can gradually change an organization for the better. These two articles are great resources to refer back to when having conversations about the workplace, mental illness, dismantling stigma, and addressing all aspects of wellness among people.  

References:

  • Burns, E., & Green, K. E. C. (2019). Academic Librarians’ Experiences and Perceptions on Mental Illness Stigma and the Workplace. College & Research Libraries, 80(5), 638–657. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.80.5.638
  • Lo, L. S., & Herman, B. (2017). An Investigation of Factors Impacting the Wellness of Academic Library Employees. College & Research Libraries, 78(6), 789-. https://doi.org/10.5860/crl.78.6.789

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Aubrey Gordon is the creator of Your Fat Friend, the co-host for the Maintenance Phase podcast and the author of two books, “You Just Need to Lose Weight” and 19 Other Myths about Fat People and What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat. Gordon’s writing critically examines the messaging around health, wellness and weight, particularly in the social and cultural environment in the United States. She writes in the introduction of What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat, “...fat people face overwhelming discrimination in employment, healthcare, transit, the treatment of eating disorders, and more.” (Gordon, pg. 5, 2020)

Gordon describes her body of work as fat justice which is distinct from body positivity. She acknowledges the benefits of the body positivity movement, but also notes that like many mainstream movements, it leaves the more marginalized members behind. “Acceptance is a step forward, but it’s a far cry from centering fat people’s humanity in our cruel and ceaseless conversations about fat bodies.”(Gordon, pg. 7, 2020)

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a text that is accessible to many readers. Gordon uses a strong personal voice in each chapter. By drawing on her memories and experiences as a fat person, she shows the cruelty she and others face because of their weight. From those anecdotes, she extrapolates broader messages around weight and fatness and how those messages harm people in larger bodies. 

In the chapter ‘First, Do No Harm’ Gordon opens with a story about a negative medical appointment, one of many such disappointing appointments she experienced whenever she sought medical care. The chapter starts with the line “I was twenty-six years old the last time I saw a doctor.”(Gordon, pg. 139, 2020) From there, Gordon lays out what brought her to the doctor, the anxiety she experiences prior to her appointment and the defense mechanisms she relies on to endure the encounter. Near the end of the visit, Gordon describes a terse exchange where the doctor suggested she lose weight in response to her diagnosis of an ear infection. “He glared for a moment, heaved another sigh, then left, his door slam thwarted by the muted, slow work of the door’s quiet hinge. We were both frustrated, and neither of us got what we were looking for.”(Gordon, pg. 140, 2020) To contrast this opening story, she ends the chapter with a more recent appointment that was both cathartic and revelatory. “All the years of effort, all the machinations to avoid humiliation and erasure, and someone had finally noticed. Later that day, I realized that despite years of trying, no one had ever told me that I cared about my health. And I did. I do.” (Gordon, pg. 153, 2020)

Gordon also cites extensive research to support her claims in the book. She cites academic journals such as BMC Medicine, Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners and the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. She also pulls information from mainstream news and media outlets such as pop culture shows like Law & Order, The New York Times, Allure Magazine and the Chicago Tribune. As Gordon writes in the opening chapter, this book is “a mix of memoir, research, and cultural criticism…” (Gordon, pg. 4, 2020) The analysis in the book provides a much more complex portrayal of weight, dieting and weight stigma than what is often presented in mainstream media or in virtual spaces. 

What We Don’t Talk About When We Talk About Fat is a challenging, but worthwhile read. Gordon confronts common and harmful myths about weight and people living in larger bodies. She ties her work with the broader theme of body autonomy and her book ends on a hopeful note as she imagines a world that is not obsessed with weight loss or harmful dieting messaging. “I also believe that my life is worth living, worth embracing, worth loving, and celebrating. And it’s worth all of that now–not two hundred pounds from now.” (Gordon, pg. 161, 2020) For some readers, this book may be an introduction to concepts such as Health At Every Size, fat liberation, universal design and other ideas. For other readers, Gordon’s book may be an affirmation of their own lived experiences and a source they can rely on when engaging in these conversations with the people in their lives. Though this book is short, it is packed with information that will encourage you to reflect on the impacts of diet culture and how we can build a more holistically healthier society.

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Infographic with picture of fruits, vegetables and scrambled eggs. In the center it read March is National Nutrition Month. On the right it read Beyond the Table 2024 National Nutrition Month A campaign by the academy of nutrition and dietetics.

National Nutrition Month, an annual event that takes place in March, is a time for people to learn more about nutrition, the role nutrition plays in health and how to meet their personal nutrition needs. The 2024 National Nutrition Month’s theme is “Beyond the Table” which looks at the role of food production and distribution, as well as the ways in which nutritional meals may be enjoyed outside of a traditional dining setting. Below are some ways in which you can speak with your patients about the importance of nutrition. 

The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics is a valuable resource to share with patients interested in making changes to their current diet or those interested in receiving help from a registered nutritionist. The Academy’s website features information about food groups, food safety, fitness tips and recipes. The Find a Nutrition Expert database contains contact information for credentialed nutrition and dietetics providers and includes in-person or telehealth providers. Last, 50 Ideas to Get Involved in National Nutrition Month will encourage your patients to think about nutrition in new ways, educate their local community and test weekly meals and food groups that they may be unfamiliar with. 

Himmelfarb Library’s catalog has a wide range of educational materials related to nutrition and public health. The Nutrition Research Guide is a great resource for library books, journals and other professional information such as data and statistics. Library research guides are useful for quick reference or for locating a resource based on a specific subject. Our guides change over time as library staff locate new and relevant information, so be sure to check the guide’s homepage often for updated information. 

The GW Culinary Medicine Program offers an elective for 3rd and 4th year medical students as well as free courses (both virtual and in-person) for the general public. During the classes “participants will learn to cook healthy, delicious recipes and learn basic nutrition concepts such as building a healthy meal, eating on a budget, meal planning, and how to use leftovers.” (MD Culinary Medicine Program, n.d.) The program’s Culinary Medicine elective is offered during fall and spring semesters to third and fourth year medical students. The purpose of the elective is to provide “students the skills to teach patients how to incorporate healthy eating for the prevention and treatment of diseases by altering their diets, meal preparation and food choices.” (MD Culinary Medicine Program, n.d.) If you are interested in a hands-on approach to learning about nutrition, visit the Culinary Medicine Program’s website. 

National Nutrition Month is a great time to discuss nutrition in an inclusive and gentle way. For many people, nutrition is a difficult topic because of preconceived notions about healthy food, costs associated with a “healthy” lifestyle or anxiety surrounding food and food rules. By approaching these conversations with empathy and active listening, you can work alongside your patients to break down food stigma and slowly introduce healthy eating habits to meet nutritional needs.

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The image features a group of people sitting at a table using laptops.

Do you have questions about how to determine if a journal is a predatory publisher? Would you like a short tutorial on importing your citations into RefWorks? Do you need help understanding copyright laws and how these laws apply to you as a researcher in the scholarly publishing landscape? The Scholarly Communications Committee’s recent tutorials address these topics and more. To learn more about scholarly publishing and communications, watch one of the videos listed below or visit the full video tutorial library. 

In this video, librarian Ruth Bueter shows how Cabells Predatory Reports can be used to evaluate publishing options. The tutorial describes characteristics of predatory journals, explains what Cabells Predatory Reports are, limitations to the reports and ends with a demonstration of how to access and use the reports. This tutorial is useful for researchers who want to avoid publishing in a predatory journal or those who are interested in learning more about a resource that can help evaluate journals.

During this tutorial, Metadata Specialist Brittany Smith goes into detail about copyright in the United States, including rights automatically granted to authors of a work and how publishing agreements may impact authors’ rights. Additionally, the tutorial provides resources that can assist authors in understanding their rights and feeling confident when negotiating their agreements with publishers.

RefWorks is a citation manager that assists with tracking citations and building a bibliography to properly attribute works referenced in research. Senior Circulation Assistant Randy Plym demonstrates how to access RefWorks from Himmelfarb Library’s homepage and walks you through the process of importing citations from databases such as Pubmed or CINAHL. 

Many of the tutorials are five minutes or less and new videos are routinely added to the collection. Topics range from the research life cycle to understanding what editors look for in a manuscript to setting up a Google Scholar or ORCiD profile. If you would like to watch one of these tutorials visit the Scholarly Communications Guide or Himmelfarb Library’s YouTube profile.

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There has been an increase in discussion and research on loneliness, isolation and social disconnection within the United States and around the world. Many people experienced true isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic when social distancing and other preventive measures required people to stay inside their homes and lose in-person contact with our social circles. But prior to the pandemic, researchers have noticed a steady decline in participation in traditional social institutions such as religious institutions, civic organizations and unions. Along with a decline in social institutions, more people are expressing a sense of loneliness or a lack of meaningful social connections. 

The U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Vivek Murthy, issued an advisory report in 2023 that addressed the health consequences of loneliness and how institutions must address the loneliness epidemic. In the introduction, Dr. Murthy wrote “...social disconnection was far more common than I had realized. In the scientific literature, I found confirmation of what I was hearing. In recent years, about one-in-two adults in America reported experiencing loneliness. And that was before the COVID-19 pandemic cut off so many of us from friends, loved ones, and support systems, exacerbating loneliness and isolation.” (Office of the Surgeon General, 2023) Loneliness has been tied to negative health consequences and behaviors and researchers argue that if this epidemic is not addressed, community and social institutions will further erode and people’s overall quality of health will worsen over time.

Loneliness & Health

As Dr. Murthy said, loneliness is more than a negative feeling. “Loneliness is defined as a psychologically distressing perception of social isolation, which occurs when there is a mismatch between one’s desired amount and quality of social interactions and relationships and the actual experience.” (Ng, 2024) Anyone is susceptible to loneliness, but according to research studies young people aged 15-24, people over the age of 65, disabled individuals, women and other specific groups report high rates of loneliness. Rates of reported loneliness are high. “In the United States, one in two adults reported experiencing loneliness, and in European studies, the prevalence of loneliness was 2.9%, 2.7% and 5.2% in young, middle-aged and older adults respectively in northern Europe, and 7.5%, 9.6% and 21.3% in young, middle-aged and older adults respectively in eastern Europe.” (Ng, 2024)

Loneliness has been linked to negative health consequences. People who experience high rates of loneliness are at increased risks of depression, anxiety, heart disease, dementia and early death. Lonely people “are also more likely to exhibit negative health behaviors which are fundamental in the association between loneliness and poor health outcomes, for example, excess alcohol consumption, smoking and substance abuse.” (Allen et al., 2022)  The U.S. Surgeon General said the negative health effects of loneliness are comparable to the health effects of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Addressing Loneliness & Lack of Connections

Addressing the loneliness epidemic will require cooperation among different institutions and community members. Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation from the Surgeon General’s Office outlines both the harmful effects of loneliness and the Office’s national strategy to address the epidemic. The strategy consists of six pillars: 

  • Strengthening Social Infrastructure in Local Communities
  • Enact Pro-Connection Public Policies
  • Mobilize the Health Sector
  • Reform Digital Environments
  • Deepen our Knowledge
  • Cultivate a Culture of Connection

For the third pillar, Mobilize the Health Sector, the report says “It is critical that we invest in health care provider education on the physical and mental health benefits of social connection, as well as the risks associated with social disconnection. We must also create systems that enable and incentivize health care providers to educate patients as part of preventative care, assess for social disconnection, and respond to patients’ health-relevant social needs.” (Office of the Surgeon General, 2023) Health care providers must educate themselves on the impacts of loneliness and have conversations with their patients about the epidemic. Additionally, researchers can collaborate to track rates of loneliness and success of intervention methods so there is clear data that can be used to inform local, state or national policy. These efforts in tandem with other organizational and governmental efforts will create meaningful partnerships and programs that will connect people and cultivate a culture of community care and meaningful relationships.

Conclusion:

Combatting the loneliness epidemic may be difficult because people may experience shame over feeling isolated from others. But failing to address the epidemic means a potential rise in negative health consequences that are associated with severe rates of loneliness. Being vocal about loneliness will also require a level of empathy and vulnerability that is not immediately reciprocated or valued by others. A significant and intentional cultural shift will need to occur in order for people to connect in the aftermath of the pandemic.

References:

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A phone screen that is open to a page on LinkedIn. In the background, sunlight shines on a wooden surface.

Himmelfarb Library is pleased to announce that we are now on LinkedIn and ready to connect with our users on this professional networking platform. On our LinkedIn profile, you will receive updates on new blog articles that cover a range of topics such as new resources and tools, suggestions to improve scholarly communications, recognition of health and cultural awareness months and classroom management resources or services such as Himmelfarb’s durable link service. Additionally, you will see promotions for upcoming library events, new faculty-authored materials that are added to the library’s collection and other pertinent and professional news related to the health sciences . Our LinkedIn profile will also showcase the professional accomplishments of SMHS, GWSPH and SON faculty members and students. 

In addition to our new LinkedIn profile, Himmelfarb Library is available on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and our news blog, Himmelfarb Library News. Follow us on our social media platforms to stay up to date on new services, resources and other exciting library news. 

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International Day of Women and Girls in Science is recognized every year on February 11th. It is a day to recognize the contributions women and girls have made to the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) field, while also addressing the lack of gender diversity within various STEM-related professions. António Guterres, the Secretary General for the United Nations, wrote in his message honoring the day that “From climate change to health to artificial intelligence, the equal participation of women and girls in scientific discovery and innovation is the only way to ensure that science works for everyone.” (United Nations, 2024) While significant strides have been made in the representation of women in science and technology, there are barriers that must be dismantled to recruit more women into the field. 

According to data from the United States Census Bureau, from 1970 to 2019 the percentage of women in the STEM workforce increased from 8% to 27%. Men represented 73% of STEM workers in 2019. Despite the gains for women in the STEM workforce, they are not evenly distributed among the different career paths under the STEM umbrella. For example, women “made up nearly half of those in all math (47%) and life and physical science (45%) occupations” while “Women represented only about a quarter of computer workers and 15% of those in engineering occupations.” (United States Census Bureau, 2021) Pew Research Center data supplements this information. “Women earned 85% of the bachelor’s degrees in health-related fields, but just 22% in engineering and 19% in computer science as of 2018.” (Pew Research Center, 2021) For the women working in these careers, they often earn less money than their male colleagues. The median earnings for women in STEM careers was $66,200, while the median earnings for men was $90,000. (Pew Research Center, 2021)

Women in STEM frequently encounter additional personal and systemic challenges when they enter the career field. The 2020 documentary Picture a Scientist follows several women in different STEM-related careers. The women discuss why they entered into their respective fields, their research interests and some of the challenges they have encountered while working as a scientist. They speak candidly about workplace harassment, lack of institutional support and other barriers, shining a light on some of the harsh realities women face from their fellow colleagues or from professional organizations. Picture a Scientist is available to users through the Himmelfarb Library’s Streaming Video Collection and is worth watching to learn more about the experiences of women in STEM.  

International Day of Women & Girls in Science is an important day to draw more women interested in STEM and openly discuss effective strategies to keep women in the field. Having women in STEM positions will provide space for new perspectives and insights into technical and scientific issues currently facing the world. 

References:

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In 2022, Himmelfarb Library published a list of books to read by African-American authors in honor of Black History Month. The list featured authors across different genres such as Young Adult, Science-Fiction, Contemporary Fiction and more. We wish to revisit this list of recommendations and offer more titles that shine a light on the experience of African-Americans in the United States. 

  • Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward:  This novel follows Annis, a teenager living through the system of slavery in the United States as she is forced from the Carolinas down to New Orleans. Reviewer Gabino Iglesias wrote in their NPR review: “Readers will walk with Annis, see the world through her eyes, and feel the pain of everything she experiences–but that journey, that suffering, will give them clarity and help them develop a deeper understanding of love, grief, and the realities of slavery.”
  • Chang Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenya:  This debut novel is a satirical examination of consumerism and the prison system. It follows the lives of prisoners and “prize-fighters” Loretta Thurwar and Hamara Stacker who participate in televised fights to gain their freedom from the prison system. This novel was named one of the Top 10 books of 2023 by the New York Times. Giri Nathan writes in their review “As the plot careers forward, Adjei-Brenyah uses footnotes as tethers between fiction and reality, reminding us that his gladiatorial farce is just a little tragicomic leap from an extant American horror.” It may feel easy to get lost in the action between fighters, but readers will also be forced to reflect on their own attitudes towards incarcerated people and the prison system in America. 
  • The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride: This is a murder mystery set in Pennsylvania in a multicultural neighborhood and moves non sequentially through time, starting in the 1970s before jumping back to the 1920s and 1930s as it examines themes of community, prejudice and class. Maureen Corrigan writes that “McBride’s roving narrator is, by turns, astute, withering, giddy, daming and jubilant. He has a fine appreciation for the human comedy: in particular, the surreal situation of African Americans and immigrant Jews in a early-to-mid-20th-century America that celebrates itself as a color-blind, welcoming Land of Liberty.” This novel is an enlightening, hopeful and entertaining piece of literature from a well-established and celebrated American novelist. 
  • Thicker than Water by Kerry Washington: From a GWU alum, this memoir provides an intimate look at Kerry Washington’s life and career. Washington is a well-known TV and film actress who rarely shares details about her personal life. The memoir is Washington’s space where she discusses the hard moments of her life such as disordered eating, her career after the TV show ‘Scandal’ and other events. To learn more about Washington’s thoughts about her memoir, watch her Good Morning America interview with Robin Roberts:
  • The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson: Wilkerson is well known for investigative book Caste: the Origins of our Discontents, her Pulitzer Prize winning journalism while working at the New York Times or from the new Ava DuVernay film, Origins. But her first book, The Warmth of Other Suns is another important piece of work that details the Great Migration, the time between 1910 and 1970 when many African-Americans and their families left Southern states for Northern cities. “The driving force behind the mass movement was to escape racial violence, pursue economic and educational opportunities, and obtain freedom from the oppression of Jim Crow.” (National Archives, 2021) The Warmth of Other Suns covers an important historical event that is not often discussed and the book is a good introduction into Wilkerson’s work as a whole.
  • Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman: Many people first encountered Amanda Gorman during the 2020 Presidential Inauguration when she read her poem, The Hill We Climb. Her first poetry collection,  Call Us What We Carry was published in December 2021 and was instantly recognized as a best seller. In this collection, “Amanda Gorman captures a shipwrecked moment in time and transforms it into a lyric of hope and healing.”  (Penguin Random House, 2024 ) If you were moved by Gorman’s poem The Hill We Climb, then read more of her work in Call Us What We Carry. 
  • The Study of Human Life by Joshua Bennett: Dr. Joshua Bennett is an author and educator who currently serves as a Professor of Literature and Distinguished Chair of the Humanities at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The Study of Human Life is a collection of work that “recalls and reimagines social worlds almost but not entirely lost, all while gesturing toward the ones we are building even now…” (Penguin Random House, 2024) Some of the book's themes include family, parenthood, vulnerability and ecology. The book blends multiple genres including autobiography and speculative fiction and will challenge many readers. 

Other notable authors worth reading include Rivers Solomon, Jasmine Mans, Jericho Brown, Jason Reynolds, Audre Lorde and Colson Whitehead. Many of these titles may be requested directly from Himmelfarb Library, through the Consortium Loan Service or through Documents2Go.

African-American authors have contributed to all genres and learning more about their lives and works is a great way to expand your reading habits and discover a new favorite writer.

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A teal ribbon in a person's hand. On top of the image, text reads "January is cervical health awareness month!"

For many years, cervical cancer was one of the leading cancer deaths for women in the United States. Thankfully, with the introduction of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine and regular cervical screening tests, instances of cervical cancer and cervical cancer deaths have dropped significantly around the world. Australia and Rwanda are on the path to eliminating cervical cancer instances among their population, while public health officials in other countries have created community partnerships to expand access to testing and treatment. A recent collaborative study from Public Health Scotland, the University of Strathclyde and the University of Edinburgh found that “the HPV vaccine was “highly effective” in preventing the development of cervical cancer” which supports the notion that testing and vaccination will lead to an end of cervical cancer. (Loudon, 2024)

Despite this recent positive news, barriers to testing and treatment continue to contribute to health inequities. Women in low- and middle-income countries do not have the same access to care as women in wealthier countries. “Low- and middle-income countries carry more than 80 percent of the burden of cervical cancer cases in the world…Those cervical cancers get diagnosed so late, and mortality is very high. More than half of people diagnosed die from cervical cancer worldwide.” (O’Donnell, 2022)

In the United States, Hispanic and Black women receive a cervical cancer diagnosis at higher rates than white women and die from cervical cancer at higher rates than white women. When looking at these statistics, researchers theorize that inadequate access to care is not the only reason for cervical cancer impacting Hispanic and Black women at such high rates. Dr. Jennifer Young Pierce, a gynecologic oncologist in Alabama, “suspects discrepancies in follow-up care for Black women–and systemic bias–are contributing to this higher mortality rate.” (Slivinski, 2022) A study published in Gynecologic Oncology “found that even though Black women were more likely to get Pap tests, only 78% of Black women reported receiving a follow-up recommendation, compared to 87% of white women in the study.” (Slivinski, 2022)  Researchers are seeking to understand what factors are contributing to disparities in care for Black and Hispanic women. 

In 2020, the World Health Organization [WHO] launched its global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer. The three pillars of this strategy include the 90-70-90 targets:

  • “90% of girls fully vaccinated with HPV vaccine by age 15 years
  • 70% of women are screened with a high-performance test by 35 years of age and again by 45 years of age
  • 90% of women identified with cervical disease receive treatment (90% of women with precancer treated, and 90% of women with invasive cancer managed).” (World Health Organization, 2020)

WHO urges countries to reach the 90-70-90 targets by 2030. There is a concerted effort to educate people about cervical health, HPV, the HPV vaccine and cervical cancer. Yet many women impacted by cervical cancer expressed not knowing about or understanding the illness until their cancer progressed to a late stage. Tamika Felder was diagnosed with stage II cervical cancer at the age of 25. “She was seeing a small amount of vaginal bleeding after sex…but she didn’t think anything of it. She was young, healthy and busy, and undergoing Pap tests was low on her priority list.” (Slivinski, 2022) Milicent Kagonga Amtana had to visit multiple medical facilities in her home country of Kenya before she was able to receive a comprehensive treatment plan. She now works within her community “to break down the stigma and shame around cervical cancer. Despite her own pain and health challenges, she works hard to encourage women to be screened for HPV and to have their daughters vaccinated.” (O’Donnell, 2022)

Addressing questions and misconceptions about cervical health and cervical cancer is necessary to break down stigma and encourage people to prioritize regular screenings. The National Cervical Cancer Coalition has resources to help you speak with your patients about the importance of regular screening exams and the HPV vaccine. WHO’s cervical cancer webpage provides updated news on the road to eliminating cervical cancer across the world, fact sheets, databases and other information that is informative for healthcare professionals and patients. Building trust with patients and the local community will be important to eliminating cervical cancer. “Ultimately, many experts agree that efforts to eliminate cervical cancer can make an impact if they are done right…The key, says [Ana P.] Ortiz, is for health care professionals and researchers to work together to identify the gaps.” (Slivinski, 2022) 

References:

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Welcome to a new year. As we settle into 2024 and prepare for another semester, we wanted to reflect on Himmelfarb Library’s many accomplishments from the previous year. 

In 2023, Himmelfarb Library acquired new resources and updated our current collection to provide the latest in health sciences research and support. The Bloedorn Technology Center received new 3-D printed anatomical models that are on display and available for in-library use.  

Himmelfarb Library created two special collections. The Streaming Video Collections provides access to documentaries, short films and other digital media with a focus on topics in health sciences. The Suicide and Suicidology Collection is a curated list of materials on suicide, suicide risks and prevention that was expanded thanks to a gift from Dr. Seymour Perlin and Ruth Perlin. Library staff updated the Core Title list based upon feedback from faculty members from SMHS, Nursing and SPH. In an ongoing project, the library is working to make reading lists embedded in research guides more user-friendly and navigable; the Anesthesiology core list, Radiology textbooks and the Exercise & Nutrition Sciences textbooks received a visual update and more lists will undergo a similar update soon.

In spring 2023, Himmelfarb Library released its Anti-Racism in Healthcare research guide.  A research guide for LGBTQ+ healthcare is under development. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy was published in the fall. The policy outlines the avenues in which the library will follow a DEI framework to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment. 

The Interlibrary Loan Policy was also updated in the summer of 2023. Under the updated policy, Himmelfarb Library will now provide 30 free interlibrary loan requests to users in SMHS, Nursing and SPH. This update simplifies the interlibrary loan request process for users so they can receive the resources they need without major delays. 

Continuing their virtual tutorial series, the Scholarly Communications Committee added several new videos to their tutorials library. Some of the new videos include Curating Your ORCiD Profile, Updating Your Biosketch via SciENcv, and Journal Impact Factors: What You Need to Know. The full playlist of tutorials is available through the Scholarly Communications Video Tutorials page under the Scholarly Publishing research guide. 

Himmelfarb library connected with users both in-person and online. Last year, library staff wrote and published over 150 new articles to the Himmelfarb Library News page and garnered over 23,000 page views on the news site. On our social media platforms, the library posted nearly 500 times on Facebook and over 470 times on Instagram. We received over 1,000 likes or reactions on Facebook and over 2,000 on Instagram. New articles are added to the library's news site three times a week and the Facebook and Instagram pages are regularly updated. Subscribe to our pages to remain up to date on events at the library or new resources. 

Many returning and new events took place last year. In January, the library hosted the National Library of Medicine’s traveling exhibit Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine in Harry Potter’s World. The exhibit explored the historical people and texts that served as inspiration for aspects of the Harry Potter series. 

In March, the library held a basketball shootout fundraiser for the Healing Clinic. From March through April, the library had its inaugural Cherry Blossom Photo Contest. Following the success of this contest, the first Fall Colors Photo Contest took place in October and November. The 35th Annual Art Show was held in May and participants of the cherry blossom contest were able to display their submissions. The art show received 53 submissions across different art mediums such as watercolor, photography, and embroidery. We look forward to your submissions during this year’s art show. 

Last, Himmelfarb Library would like to highlight some of the many staff accomplishments from 2023. Deborah Wassertzug joined the Reference and Instruction team near the end of 2022. Rebecca Kyser and Randy Plym joined the Reference and Instruction team and the Circulation and Access team respectively last year. Ruth Bueter was appointed to the Associate Director for Library Operations. 

Himmelfarb Library staff published numerous articles or presentations in 2023. JoLinda Thompson and Sara Hoover’s chapter Discoverability Within the Library was published in the book Discoverability in Digital Repositories: Systems, Perspectives, and Users Studies. Rachel Brill published an article on her Disorder in the Court series and another article on ways to evaluate database coverage. The full list of articles, presentations and posters from Himmelfarb Library staff may be found in the Himmelfarb Library Faculty Publications and the Himmelfarb Library Faculty Posters and Presentations collections located in the Health Sciences Research Commons. Sara Hoover was also selected for the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) at the Senior Level. AHIP is an intensive, professional development and certification initiative for health information professionals that demonstrates their commitment to health information services and responsibilities. 

2023 also marked milestone career anniversaries for Catherine Sluder (40 years), Valorie Bowles (34 years) and Yvonne Lee (25 years)!

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another productive year at Himmelfarb Library as we provide access to the latest in health information resources and services.

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