Arkansas Lives: Donna Waldron

Edited by Jane Thompson, Arkansas State Library

Speaking with Donna Waldron shortly after the events of September 11th, our conversation turned to the tragedy and, while perhaps insignificant in the broader context, the loss of so many special library collections housed in the World Trade Center's legal and financial firms. Noting that a library is a place where one is free to explore whatever he or she might wish, Donna commented that now, more than ever, "libraries are a place where people convene and pursue their interests. And yet, we're at a point in our nation's history that such a thing can be dangerous. We hope that terrorism and general fear won't force people away from places where they will get information."

On Monday, October 22, 2001, the Resource Library at the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging at University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) was officially dedicated. Speaking to a gathering of staff, visitors, volunteers, and benefactors of the library, Reynolds Center Director David A. Lipschitz, M.D., thanked Reynolds Center librarian Donna Waldron, together with Mary Ryan, Jan Hart, and the UAMS library staff for their efforts in bringing together Arkansas's one-of-a-kind collection devoted to all aspects of the aging process.

The purpose of the Resource Library is "to support the Donald W. Reynolds Center on Aging in addressing the health concerns of older adults by providing clinicians, patients, and the general public access to reliable medical information from a variety of sources."

Calling the dedication a "red letter day," Donna noted that while the library had already been functioning, the dedication provided recognition that "we have gotten to the point that we have the core of a truly good collection. Now, through media coverage and increased awareness, the general public will know what we have." Tucked away in the ground level of the Reynolds Center at the edge of the UAMS campus, many people pass through the center to attend workshops, classes, seminars, and other programs on geriatrics. Donna notes that these people "are coming to the Resource Library, as well-taking a look at what we have with an eye to their own needs, as well as the possibility of forming a similar collection elsewhere in the state."

By definition, the library's thrust is not general information; rather, as Donna describes it, "specific information about a specific subject--in this case, health and aging, as well as disease and aging." While offering some professional resources and access to medical databases, the collection is designed to accommodate the lay person. Reynolds Center physicians and staff suggest items they want to have their patients read or watch. With the focus geared to the public, AETN's televised series, Aging Successfully with Dr. David is, at present, garnering the lion's share of attention among Resource Library customers.

Initially, Susan Steelman, Outreach Librarian at UAMS, suggested material for purchase-books, videotapes and subscriptions. This, supplemented by suggestions from the Center's clinicians, has formed the current core of the primarily print collection. While the collection maintains academic reference resources and texts on anatomy and physiology, as well as medical dictionaries, the bulk of the book and video collection is aimed toward specific conditions, with a heavy emphasis on caregiver issues. The library brochure notes that the collection "emphasizes consumer information about health matters of concern to aging adults and their families. Some of the areas covered are: Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, cancer, caregiver support, depression, diabetes, high blood pressure, Parkinson's disease, and women's health issues." Donna describes the Center's collection of pamphlets and brochures as a wealth of information that is "probably our biggest drawing card right now. People can come in and get a succinct bit of information from a reliable source that addresses one specific disease or issue." Rounding out the collection are subscriptions to a wide variety of medical newsletters as well as the major databases such as Ovid and ARHealthLINK.

While the library's collection is not yet available to the larger library community via inter-library loan, it is available to the public on a walk-in basis. Ultimately the Center hopes to share its resources with the six or seven Area Health Education Centers throughout the state. Holdings are on OCLC and the collection is accessible through the UAMS library.

Developing a new library is a challenge in and of itself, both in terms of developing a physical space, identifying and accessioning materials for the collection, and securing financing to not only start the facility, but to insure its continued operation. Donna notes the importance of setting priorities, commenting that it would be impossible to do everything at once. She continues to add that while "at first it seemed for such a long time that nothing was happening, we now see progress on a steady basis."

Books, videotapes, and periodicals are located in the collection room, just inside the main library entrance. Two computer workstations and a videotape player with wireless headphones are also located in this room. Flyers and booklets are found in the literature room at the opposite end of the library. A table and chairs provide a place to review the material. A small room between the two larger areas is designed for group videotape use and discussion. The area contains a table and chairs, a videotape player, and a whiteboard.

Donna credits Jan Hart, head of the UAMS Learning Resource Center, as the individual who has gone to great lengths to insure the success of the Reynolds Center Resource Library. At present, she believes that through the efforts of all involved in launching the library, "we have come to the point where we are serving the purpose here as part of the grander scheme." She adds, "I think that people in the center now have come to know who we are and to feel as if they can let us handle our job without worry. It's nice to know that what we have to offer is approved of by those people who know what should be here."

A 22 year veteran of the UAMS Library, Donna states that her significant preparation for this project was simply 'growing older." She adds, "While you need to have younger people around who will challenge you in all directions, I really do think it helps to be older to be working with older people. I know what it's like to hurt and to slow down. I don't think that you know until you get there that you realize some of the problems with aging."

The Resource Library is open from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. It is closed all holidays observed by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Additional information regarding the Resource Library is available by telephoning 501/526-6287.

News Editor's Note:
This article originally appeared as "Arkansas Lives: Donna Waldron", Arkansas Libraries 58(6): 23-25, December, 2001. It is one in a series of columns edited by Jane Thompson of the Arkansas State Library. It is reprinted here with the permission of the Publications Committee, Arkansas Library Association.