Welch Library undergoing extensive exterior cleaning

It's not exactly what you'd call a facelift--at least by surgical standards--but the Welch Library on the JHMI campus is being rejuvenated, thanks to an extensive exterior cleaning that began this month. If all goes according to schedule, it should be spruced up in time to celebrate its 70th birthday on Nov. 18.

"The exterior has never before been cleaned, and environmental pollution and weather have taken a toll," according to Jennifer Dawson, a facilities project manager in the School of Medicine's Office of Facilities Management. "The cleaning will result in a significant improvement."

During the procedure, the library will continue to operate on its regular schedule. Scaffolding will surround the building for the next two months, during which both the Monument Street and Preclinical entrances will be maintained with canopies. The facade is expected to be finished before Oct. 12 and the remaining sides by Nov. 16.

Conference explores improved care for breast cancer patients

Impacting the quality of care to breast cancer patients is the focus of a JHMI-sponsored international conference Sept. 30 to Oct. 2. "Seeking Excellence in Breast Cancer Care: Best Practices in Diagnosis and Treatment" aims to bring together health care providers, administrators, patients and advocates to raise the quality of breast cancer care.

Topics to be addressed include new technology in biopsying, who should be mammographically screened, psychological needs of breast cancer patients and their families, national quality standards and managed care issues.

"By bringing together experts from around the world we can discuss state-of-the-art ideas, technology and care delivery methods and ultimately foster improvement in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment," says William C. Dooley, director of the Johns Hopkins Breast Center. "As providers of care, we accept responsibility for empowering our patients with information and education which will equip them to be active and confident participants in this decision-making and treatment process."

The three-day event will take place at the Sheraton Baltimore-North in Towson. For more information, contact Kathleen Sabatier at 410-614-3160.

Peabody Library hosts local authors during city's book fest

Local authors Martha Frick Symington Sanger and Christopher Weeks will give readings from their books at the George Peabody Library Antiquarian Book Fair, beginning at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25. The event is part of a book and author series sponsored by the Friends of the Johns Hopkins Libraries. A book signing and reception for both authors will begin at 4:15 p.m.

The George Peabody Antiquarian Book Fair is held in conjunction with the Baltimore Book Festival, which will be held in Mt. Vernon from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, and Sunday, Sept. 26.

Sanger will read from her book, Henry Clay Frick: An Intimate Portrait, at 3:30 p.m. Sanger, Frick's great-granddaughter, provides a personal and revealing account of this titan of 19th-century American industry and the emotional events that shaped one of the world's finest private art collections. This rags-to-riches story lifts a shroud of secrecy that has previously guarded Frick's life; it draws on 10 years of research, including hundreds of interviews, and with unprecedented access to family diaries, letters, reminiscences and photographs.

At 5 p.m., Christopher Weeks will read from Perfectly Delightful: The Life and Gardens of Harvey Ladew. In this biography, Weeks examines the lavishly wealthy creator of Ladew Topiary Gardens, a man who surrounded himself with fine art, good living and famous people. Using Ladew's memoirs, letters and photos, Weeks parallels Ladew's carefree, optimistic and leisurely attitude toward life with the design and personal attention he gave to his garden.

Throughout the weekend, the Peabody book fair also will present antiquarian book dealers, live chamber music performances and an exhibition honoring George Washington in the bicentennial year of his death. On Saturday, there will be free book appraisals from noon to 4 p.m. and a live broadcast of the syndicated radio program Book Guys from 1 to 3 p.m. Admission to the Peabody Library and the events are free and open to the public.

Ski and snowboard injury study launched on the Internet

The School of Public Health has launched a Web site designed to collect injury data directly from thousands of skiers and snowboarders worldwide who have been injured on the slopes.

The first study of its kind, the project is designed to uncover the specific circumstances that increase a person's risk of injury. Participants answer a series of questions about the details of the fall they had and its consequences. A sample of the study's most pertinent results will be updated weekly and posted on the Web site.

Jeffrey Hadley, an epidemiologist with the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the School of Public Health, said, "This study will provide an abundance of new information on steps the individual skier or snowboarder can take to prevent an injury." Hadley added, "It has the clear potential to collect information about many thousands of injuries and falls worldwide in a relatively short period of time, setting the stage for an unprecedented examination of many possible risk factors that may contribute to the likelihood of a ski or snowboarding injury."

Those interested in participating can go to the Web site at http://www.injury-study.org.