A Chapter of the Medical Library Association

Name: Ellen Aaronson, AHIP
Institution: Mayo Clinic Libraries, Rochester, MN
Title: Librarian

Brief description of what you do/your responsibilities at your institution.

Fully remote librarian providing literature search and project support for all campuses across the Mayo Enterprise.

Why is MLGSCA important to you?

MLGSCA has been one of my professional homes from the beginning of my medical library career. I was encouraged to join to meet other medical librarians in my local area and found that getting involved in committee work and the Advisory Board gave me a voice and expanded my professional knowledge. We went through many changes through the years, and I am truly encouraged by the continued activity that keeps our chapter vibrant and relevant.

What was your first library job or professional position?

My first library job was in high school working as a student clerk for the Los Angeles Public Library. I was responsible for shelving from book carts and retrieving magazines from the stacks. While doing my undergrad work, I moved on to become a library clerk complete with a miniature date stamp indicating when items were to be returned! My first position after library school was as a Tech Services Librarian at Beth Israel Hospital in Manhattan.

What is your advice to someone new to medical librarianship?

Follow the same advice I did - jump into the deep end! Get involved in a local MLA chapter or MLA caucus. MLA has valuable tools for new medical librarians including the Hospital Library Caucus (HLC) "New Hospital Librarians Resouces" page which provides an array of great information on everything from AHIP to training opportunities. MLA has a New Members Caucus designed to introduce new librarians to the organization. Getting involved early was professionally and personally beneficial for me. I have learned so much along the way and made many "frolleagues" (colleagues who have become friends)!

What has been the most interesting project you have worked on?

In the spring of 2021, just prior to the beginning of my tenure as HLC Chair, the CHLA (Canadian Health Libraries Association) published a "Statement on the Importance of Hospital Libraries", a document written partly in response to the growing number of hospital library closures, and one that MLA signed on to. I worked with several members of the HLC Executive Board as well as the MLA President and MLA staff to create a response to that document which was published and endorsed by a number of other organizations. That statement entitled "Partner with your Hospital Librarian" can be found on the MLA website.

What do you do in your spare time for fun, or to relax?

I love to hike, cycle, read, travel, and spend time with family, especially my 2-year-old grandson, and friends. I also love to play mahjong and canasta.

Describe yourself in five words.

Compassionate, realistic, loyal, fun-loving, team-player.

What are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my family. My husband has been my champion since we married 43 years ago, and my children are hard-working, respectful, and genuinely kind people.