POSTER TEMPLATE BY: Making Connections: In-Person Hands-On Training Across the US Joey Nicholson¹, Sharon Brown¹, Maureen K. Czujak¹, Eva Daniels¹, Janie Kaplan¹, and Vijay Nandi² National Training Center and Clearinghouse, National Network of Libraries of Medicine, The New York Academy of Medicine ¹ ; Center for Urban Epidemiological Studies, The New York Academy of Medicine ² In Year One (June April 2007) of a five year National Library of Medicine contract (#N01-LM ), the National Training Center and Clearinghouse (NTCC), located at The New York Academy of Medicine, collaborated with 26 sites across the US to host in-person computer lab training. A total of 60 classes were taught. Sites were recommended by Education Coordinators from each of the NN/LM Regional Medical Libraries. Site locations included major medical facilities, universities, and state or regional library councils. The classes were intended to extend the reach of NLM resources and help bridge performance gaps in use of resources by health sciences library staff, public library staff, and health and research professionals. The NTCC trained 900 class participants during Year One. The data plotted on the map reveals the reach of the classes and also illuminates gaps in coverage. These identified coverage gaps can now be used to help choose future site locations. The MLA evaluation form measured satisfaction with the class, not knowledge gained through training. To demonstrate effectiveness, further study was needed. As a result, in Year Two experimental pre- and post-test measurements were added to help gauge the effectiveness of the training. Objectives: To demonstrate the reach and effectiveness of in-person nationwide training for health sciences and public library staff, health professionals, and any other US residents on three National Library of Medicine databases (PubMed®, TOXNET, and NLM Gateway/ClinicalTrials.gov). Methods: Using a map of the United States we plotted by zip code the number of people who attended each class. The map shows geographic distribution of individual participants and the number of participants within each state. Geocoding of participant data and mapping was done using ArcGIS version 9.2. The zip code information was provided by each participant on their registration form. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the training was done by participants using the MLA evaluation form. Joey Nicholson, Database Trainer/Online Analyst National Training Center and Clearinghouse Maureen K. Czujak, Assistant Director National Training Center and Clearinghouse Individual Participant Location and Number of Participants by State June 2006 – April 2007 Training Sites Albuquerque, NMDavis, CA (twice)Johnson City, TNNew York, NYScottsdale, AZ Atlanta, GADenver, COLos Angeles, CAPhiladelphia, PASpokane, WA Berkeley, CADuluth, MNMiami, FLPittsburgh, PASt. Louis, MO Buffalo, NYFarmington, CTMinneapolis, MNPortland, ORTampa, FL Chicago, ILHouston, TXNew Orleans, LASalt Lake City, UTWorcester, MA We would like to thank the following individuals for their help with scheduling, preparing for, and implementing these classes: Erin Aspinall, Donna Berryman, Rebecca Birr, Carolyn Bridgewater, Suzetta Burrows, Holly Burt, Nakia Carter, Kay Deeney, Grace Di Virgilio, Kathel Dunn, Michelle Eberle, Pam Enrici, Barbara Greenberg, Cindy Gruwell, Claire Hamasu, Dolores Judkins, Betsy Kelly, Elizabeth Kline, Norma Kobzina, Marty Magee, Michelle Malizia, Evelyn Breck Morgen, Bob Pringle, Debbie Sibley, Jerrel Thompson, Kathy Torrente, Lisa Traditi, Rick Wallace and Fran Yarger. Objectives and Methods Introduction Contact Information Acknowledgements Results and Conclusions