History of CJHSLA
Earliest available records indicate that the Trenton Medical Librarians Association was formed in 1967 with regular meeings
beginning in January of 1968. The group was formed by Robert Hoagland, Librarian at the New Jersey Health-Agriculture
Library and was the first such consortium of medical libraries in New Jersey. Participants at
the January, 1968 meeting included:
Robert Hoagland, Chairman
Patrician Aronson, N.J. Neuro-Psychiatric Institute Library
Norma Jones, Trenton Psychiatric Hospital Library
Sister Paschal Marie, St. Francis Hospital Medical Library
Elizabeth Smith, St. Francis School of Nursing Library
Ethel Sydney, Helene Fuld Medical Library
Mae Williams, Mercer Hospital Medical Library
At the first meeting issues discussed included a Union List of Medical Periodicals, a catalog of books to be housed at
one of the member libraries, a duplicate periodical exchange list and ways to facilitate the interlibrary loan system among
hospitals.
Topics discussed at meetings during the next several years included the interlibrary loan agreement with the College
of Physicians (at that time the Regional Library), classification systems for cataloging of books, development of "want lists"
for missing journals and the use of filmstrips and audio-visual aids in eduation.
In December of 1972, five members of the Trenton Area Medical Librarians Association gave a panel presentation at a meeting
of the newly-formed New Jersey Hospital Library Association (now HSLANJ). The presentation included:
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History of the Trenton Area Medical Librarians Association - presented by Sister
Paschal Marie.
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Union List of Medical Periodicals - presented by Norma Jones
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Union List of Books - presented by Elizabeth Smith
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Use of the N.J. State Library and the Regional Library as outside resources - presented by Beatrice
Donini (librarian at the Mercer Hospital School of Nursing Library)
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Interlibrary cooperation and the development of a hierarchial arrangement for resource sharing - presented
by Mae Williams
In 1973, because of the closure of his library, Mr. Hoagland assumed a position at the Hahnemann Medical College
Library. Names of officers who have followed him are attached at the end of this report.
In 1979, to better reflect the expanding membership of the organization, the name was changed to Central
Jersey Health Sciences Library Association.
Recorded minutes of meetings through the continuing years reflect the dramatic changes/advances that have occured
in all libraries. Topics discussed included: journal retention among the group, introduction of MEDLINE terminals, patient
education, library security/lossses, the UCMP database, BHSL membership, CD-ROM databases, computerization, membership standards,
interlibrary loans via fax, DOCLINE, Loansome Doc, PubMed, Ebscohost, internet use in libraries, e-journals, Y2K contingency
plans and library web sites.
A sampling of programs held over the years include: a round-table discussion of copyright law (1978);
MLA slide program - "The Library's Contribution to Quality (1992); One-Minute Manager seminar (1986); Video presentation -
"Looking Ahead at Healthcare (1994); Introduction to the Internet; RML network; Stress in our lives (1986); Power-Point presentation;
DOCLINE training class; RSS presentation; Legal resources on the web; MLA conference on e-journals; Ebsco Information Services
(discussion of group purchases).
The Central Jersey Health Sciences Library ASsociation continues to meet on a regular basis to support the purpose
of the group as expressed in the by-laws: "...the sharing of library resources among its members, and the enhancement of the
professional growth and education of their respective representatives...."
Catherine W. Marchok, MS, Director of Library Services, Capital Health System, January 2003
