August 25th, 2007
Happy Dundee Day! That might not be a big deal for all of you, but it is for me. Anyway…this week we learn a little bit about Siobhan Champ-Blackwell, yet another valuable community resource. If you are involved in community work, you should definitely be subscribed to her blog, where she does a wonderful job of sharing information with people about events, research, funding opportunities, etc.
1.) Who are you, where do you work, what do you do there?
I’m Siobhan Champ-Blackwell (pronounced “Shi-von”), Community Outreach Liaison for the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region. My office is located at Creighton University in the Health Sciences Library. The mission of the NN/LM is advance the progress of medicine and improve public health by providing health professionals with equal access to biomedical information and improving the public’s access to information to help them make informed decisions about their health. The MCR is one of eight regional offices and encompasses six states, including Nebraska. My role is to ensure access to biomedical information around health disparities issues.
2.) Why do you do what you do?
I work in libraries because I believe that a free society requires that its citizens have easy and open access to information. Libraries can be the great equalizer. My parents came to the United States from Ireland in the late 40s and met with discrimination against the Irish at that time. While I never directly experienced it myself, I was raised by parents who did, and who instilled in me the strong belief that any discrimination is wrong. Health disparities are one of the worst forms of discrimination and the largest problem facing the US at this time. The work I do supports in some small way people who are directly working to eliminate those disparities.
3.) What is the unique value that your organization and / or your work brings to the community?
I am fortunate to be able to devote my time to gathering and disseminating information to people who work daily to increase health outcomes for people who face inequities in health. The “Bringing Health Information to the Community” blog is probably the most important tool I have developed in my work. There is a saying that information is power. I think more correctly, the application of information is powerful. I work with libraries and community groups to try and find ways that they can collaborate and make use of information and resources to carry out programs that hopefully result in healthy behaviors and better health outcomes for people who attend the programs. Partnerships in communities are vital to the elimination of disparities.
4.) What is the most challenging aspect of your work and what is the most rewarding?
Most challenging – people see the word library and feel that there is nothing there for them. Many people don’t see how a library can be helpful to them in health issues. Once I explain it, then the dialogue can begin, but overcoming that initial hesitation is challenging.
Most rewarding – I love the people I have gotten to know over the years. These people are the ones who are truly doing the work, and allow me to be a part of what they do. They are passionate caring people and a joy to know. I also love that meetings I go to often have a cultural component to them – music, prayer, art – the diversity of cultural events I have been a part of is amazing, and truly has enriched my life.
5.) Where do you get new ideas about your work?
From other people! I listen to what people tell me they need and try to find ways to fill those needs. I go to conferences and workshops to learn new ways to bring about collaboration and to learn better ways to present information. I have a group of colleagues in the NN/LM MCR that I rely on for support and ideas as well.
6.) What do you do to take care of yourself?
My family is the most important thing in my life. I take care of myself by being with them – playing, laughing and loving them. I also walk every day for ½ hour, read, and make sure I have time just for myself.
7.) What is your favorite thing about Omaha?
I love the Midwestern friendliness of the people who live here.
8.) What is the last good book that you read?
I’m a librarian, I can’t just give you one answer here…
My favorite book is “A Prayer for Owen Meany” by John Irving.
The last good book I read is “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” by JK Rowling.
I’m a big mystery reader and especially like P.D. James, Elizabeth George, Ruth Rendell and Colin Dexter.
9.) How can people contact you?
Creighton University Health Sciences Library
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
800-338-7657 in CO,KS,MO,NE,UT,WY
402-280-4156 outside the region
siobhan@creighton.edu
http://nnlm.gov/mcr/ (NN/LM MCR Web Site)
http://library.med.utah.edu/blogs/BHIC/ (Web Log)
http://www.digitaldivide.net/profile/siobhanchamp-blackwell (Digital Divide Network Profile)