SLA Biomedical and Life Sciences Division

DBIO History

1985-2010: The Last 25 Years

Whitfield-Smith, Louisa. 2010. The Last Twenty Five Years. Biofeedback, 35(2): 10-13.(Reproduced with permission) Full text of article available here.

[EXCERPT] DBIO, through its commitment to continuing education, quality programming, and professional communication, has endeavored to help its members not just survive but thrive in this environment. The last twenty-five years have seen a name change, a new caucus and section, new committees, four strategic plans, Biofeedback transform from a print newsletter to an e-newsletter, and the development of the division’s listserv, Web site, forum, and blog......

[EXCERPT] The last few years also saw a new strategic plan. The current 2009-2011 strategic plan, the product of multiple division-wide surveys as well as brainstorming sessions beginning in 2005, emphasizes a dynamic response to the strictures of the current funding environment through continuing education brought to the members by virtual learning opportunities and regional programs, an increased commitment to advocacy, networking to facilitate job searches, and sharing valuable practices and resources through the blog, Web site, and calendar. DBIO is in good shape to prepare for the next seventy-five years.

1934-1984: The First 50 Years

Paskoff, Beth. 1985. History of BSD. Biofeedback, 11(1): 5-7. (Reproduced with permission) Full text of article available here.

[Excerpt] When Special Library Association was founded in 1909, there were no subject divisions; it was not until 1923 that "groups” were established. In that year, a Technology Group was organized which represented all aspects of the pure and applied sciences. During the 1934 Annual Conference, 19 medical librarians met to discuss the advisability of requesting that the SLA Executive Board establish a Group “representing their special needs.” Their petition, dated June 30, 1934, referred to a Medical Health Section, but the name was changed later to the Biological Sciences Group. A broad interpretation of biological sciences was used, and the Group included all of the fields that are covered in Biological Abstracts. Frank Place, Reference Librarian at the New York Academy of Medicine was selected as the first chair; Josephine Nichols of Cornell University Medical School and Mildred Naylor, Librarian of the Academy of Medicine of Northern New Jersey, were chosen as Vice-Chair and Secretary, respectively..............

Rev. May 2011