Tracy M. Cole joined USA Libraries as the Assistant Librarian, Acquisitions on October 2, 2023. Previously, Ms. Cole served nine years as the Director of the Spanish Fort Public Library where she was instrumental in establishing the first public library for the City of Spanish Fort, Alabama. Prior to her work in the public library sector, Ms. Cole served as a Reference & Instruction Librarian with Virginia Tech Libraries in Blacksburg, VA as well as with McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA. Ms. Cole holds a Master’s degree in Library and Information Science from Louisiana State University and a Bachelor’s degree in Art History from Hollins University in Roanoke, VA. Overall, Ms. Cole has contributed to the field of librarianship since 2007, and has a special interest in library and education history. Her current research explores library censorship issues, freedom to read initiatives, the diversity of library collections, and access issues regarding information and resources.

On a personal note, Tracy enjoys writing and reading, watching baseball, and either a good cup of coffee or an excellent Cabernet. She visits her home state of Virginia every year to enjoy the change of seasons with her husband and son.

Debbie Cobb, Library Supervisor/ILL Coordinator, was a panel presenter for the American Library Association RUSA Stars Codes, Guidelines and Technical Standards Committee’s webinar – Introducing The Revised Interlibrary Loan Code for the United States with Explanatory Text. Word of the webinar spread quickly, with over 1,000 enthusiastic registrants. The November 2^nd, 2023 presentation had 630 attendees (with a recording available to all who registered). Fellow panelists included Jennifer Young, Committee Chair- East Tennessee State University; William Gee – East Carolina University; Brian Miller, The Ohio State University; Pamela Kindelberger, Boise State University; and K. Zdepski, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

The purpose of the ILL Code is to establish principles that facilitate the interlibrary loan process and regulate the exchange of materials between libraries in the United States. The first ILL Code in the U.S. was written by the ALA Committee on Co-ordination in 1916 and approved in 1917. Nowadays the responsibility for reviewing the ILL Code every 5 years falls to the RUSA STARS Codes, Guidelines, and Technical Standards Committee. The revision process was actually two full years starting in summer 2021 and going through summer 2023.

The Codes Committee felt very strongly about inviting the entire resource sharing community in the U.S. to participate in the process, so there were three different public comment periods to solicit feedback from practitioners nationwide. Final approval was obtained by the RUSA Professional Resources Committee, STARS Executive Committee, and the RUSA Board of Directors earlier this past summer when the new ILL Code finally took effect. 

(L) Copy of the typescript memoirs of Abe Miller, immigrant from Russia to Alabama, describing his immigration to Camden and then Mobile, Alabama. Gift of Valerie Novy.

Sarah De Loach joined the Biomedical Library team as Library Technical Assistant I in the Circulation department on November 27, 2023. Ms. De Loach is a recent graduate from Auburn University and received her BA in English: Creative Writing with a minor in History. She obtained her AS in General Studies with a concentration in English at Bishop State Community College. She has plans to continue her education and obtain her MA in Library Sciences once she has settled into her new role with us. Prior to this position, she worked within our own USA Health system in the Neurology department. She has also worked with college students at her alma mater, Auburn University, in the Bookstore textbooks department. Personally speaking, Sarah loves to write, read, go to Renaissance festivals, and go out with friends. Her forever favorite book series is Percy Jackson & The Olympians (sequels included) - no matter how old she gets.

Clista Clanton - Clista Clanton, Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives, authored the article, "Implementing REDCap at the University of South Alabama." J Hosp Librar. 2023; 23(1): 211-214. DOI: 10.1080/15323269.2023.2223122

Clista Clanton - Clista Clanton, Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives, co-authored the article, "Understanding nurse suicide using an ideation-to-action framework: An integrative review." J Adv Nurs. 2023;79(12):4472-4488. DOI: 10.1111/jan.15681

Clista Clanton - Clista Clanton, Assistant Director for Strategic Initiatives, co-authored the article, "A systematic review of anesthetic, saline and dry needling injections for headache patients." Emerg Med Open J. 2023; 9(1): 28-32. DOI: 10.17140/EMOJ-9-170

Gail Kouame - Gail Kouame, Director of the Biomedical Library, was contributing author of the article, "A scoping review of institutional policies and recommendations for trans inpatient mental health care." J Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs. 2023;30(6):1043-1053. DOI: 10.1111/jpm.12933

The Charles M. Baugh Biomedical Library hosted the National Library of Medicine’s traveling exhibit, “Life and Limb: The Toll of the American Civil War” September 25 – November 4, 2023. The exhibit was on display in the lobby of the library along with artifacts from the Mobile Medical Museum. Several events took place in association with the exhibit including a panel presentation by Dr. Henry McKiven, Associate Professor of History and Dr. Jess Mullens, Residency Program Director for Orthopedic Surgery at USA Health. Dr. McKiven’s talk was based on information gleaned from the Pickens Family Papers curated by the Doyle Leale McCall Rare Books and Manuscripts Library at USA. Dr. Mullens’ presentation covered amputation procedures and how they have evolved over time from the Civil War era to present.