In an effort to rebuild Liberia's health care system after all of the nation's physicians fled during the war, Elaine Martin, DA, Library Director of UMass Medical School's Lamar Soutter Library, demonstrates her journey through photos, graphs, and text to show how her team helped rebuild a library for a Liberian medical school.

1. University of LiberiaUniversity of Liberia
A.M. Dogliotti Medical SchoolA.M. Dogliotti Medical School
LibraryLibrary
Elaine Martin, DA
Director of Library Services
University of Massachusetts Medical School

2. OutlineOutline
• History-How University of Massachusetts Medical
School started working in Liberia
• HEARTT
• Collaboration with other libraries in the U.S.
• Progress to date (before and after pictures)
• Challenges

3. Three VisitsThree Visits
• March 2011—Needs assessment; develop a plan
• August 2011—Processing materials; setting policies
in preparation for the opening of the school year
• February 2012—Begin staff training; continue
processing; introduce computers

11. March 31 Meeting:
Identify action
items to resolve
issues presented
Identify medical
library software
needs; obtain
HINARI password
Assess power,
internet, computing
capabilities &
upgrades needed
Obtain draft
operations manual
& future status of
Italian consultant
Develop additional content
needed for operations manual
Gather and simplify library
staff job descriptions &
employee handbook that can
be customized for Liberia
Design and
implement
staff training
needed
Schedule
and
deliver
Training
modules
Obtain basic supplies
and containers for
transport, storage use
Conduct site visit when school
is in session to observe library
use & services
Once power, internet,
computer availability is
adequate, obtain and deliver
CDs, memory sticks,
software.
Install
software
Actions taken to
Resolve identified issues
Donated
books sorted
and
appropriate
items ready
for processing
Deliver supplies
PHASE1
PHASE 2
PHASE 3
PHASE 4
Liberia Medical Libraries
Upgrade Plan

18. Ready for the NewReady for the New
SemesterSemester

27. ChallengesChallenges
• Lack of basic library supplies for processing
• Lack of fuel for electricity to keep library open at
night
• Lack of transportation for staff
• No book trucks, computer, printer, photocopier or
security system
• Staff training—basic literacy, library science, and
computer skills
• No internet access