Accreditation in the Health Sciences

This handbook provides the needed information about accreditation to enable any library team to prepare for and be an integral part of an accreditation process.

Darell Schmick, MLS, MBA, AHIP has over 10 years of experience in academic medical libraries. Currently the Inaugural Library Director at Noorda College of Osteopathic Medicine, this will be the second medical school in which he has played an involved role as director in establishing institutional accreditation. Mr. Schmick is an active member of the Medical Library Association, and the Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association. As Immediate Past Chair of the Osteopathic Caucus of the Medical Library Association, he has shepherded projects within the caucus to elevate the visibility of Osteopathic Librarians in schools of Osteopathic Medicine.

Contents Part One: Accreditation Fundamentals Introduction Darell Schmick Accrediting Bodies: History and Context Mitzi NorrisHow the Library can Prepare: Best Practices for Success Roy BrownMaintaining Continuity through Institutional Growth and Personnel Changes Ana Corral and Rachel HelbingPart Two: The Accreditation Process First Time Accreditation Process: Laying the Groundwork Connie Manning, Sonya Lemke, and Darell SchmickOngoing Accreditation Efforts: Magnet Recognition and the Role of the Librarian Roy Brown and Alison MonpetitMaking a Continuous Impact: Library Participation in the Continuous Quality Improvement Process Charlotte M. BeyerFrom the Source: Collected Insights from Accrediting Officers Darell Schmick, John J. Dougherty, and Jennifer BrownPartners in Accreditation: Library Case Study and Suggestions for Best Practices Elizabeth Hinton, Susan Clark, and Mitzi NorrisPart Three: Debrief: Action Items for Follow Up Debrief with the Institution and Library Team Rhonda L. AltonenThe Postmortem: Handling Accreditation Success and Failure Joanne MuellenbachStaying in the Conversation: Strategies for Continued Partnership Michele L. WhiteheadLibrarian Involvement in a School of Medicine Accreditation Initiative: Assessing Information Seeking Skills During Curricular Self-Directed Learning Activities Douglas L. Varner, Grant Connors, Yvonne M. Hernandez, Jeff Weinfeld, G. Ian Gallicano, and Jett McCannEpilogue: Empowering the Library as a Partner in Accreditation Darell Schmick