On invitation, we approach, as consultants, the problem of helping a smaller library. Once we are certain we are qualified for the assignment, we arrange to visit the library and see its problems of personnel, space, and book collection. Talking with personnel operating the library may indicate appropriate courses of action. We recommend library procedures and systems commensurate with the present needs and future growth of a given institution or organization. We appreciate the quantity and quality of services rendered by small libraries. We learn who the readers are and what material is available locally before making recommendations concerning budgets or purchases. Our suggestions on technical matters include either work samples or references. We do not confuse library personnel with great detail. We tell them about local and nearby resources, services of the National Library of Medicine, and the Medical Library Association. We make them feel free to request further information as needed. (+info)
THE COMMUNITY AND THE MEDICAL LIBRARY.
(10/75)
The responsibility of the community to the library is often overshadowed by the reciprocal one-that of the library to the community. Yet if the library is to get a new building, a larger book grant, or more staff, active and well-informed help must be received from the community. (+info)
MEDICAL LIBRARY SERVICE IN THE HOSPITAL.
(11/75)
Because of the extent of the medical literature and the wide-ranging interests of medical scientists, it is not feasible today for a hospital library to provide from its own shelves all of the books and journals that are requested by its doctor clientele. The suggested alternative is for the hospital library to select an appropriate medical research library to serve as its reservoir library and to develop a realistic plan for using its collections to supplement its own smaller, working collection. A realistic plan embodies a clear understanding with the reservoir library and a contractual relationship that provides payment for services received. An important part of the plan is a clearly stated policy defining the level and quality of service to be expected from the reservoir library. An essential ingredient is a feasible system for overcoming the inconveniences and delays which tend to be imposed by the distance between hospital library and reservoir; certain devices are suggested for overcoming the distance barrier. (+info)
Trends in academic health sciences libraries and their emergence as the "knowledge nexus" for their academic health centers.
(12/75)
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to identify trends in academic health sciences libraries (AHSLs) as they adapt to the shift from a print knowledgebase to an increasingly digital knowledgebase. This research was funded by the 2003 David A. Kronick Traveling Fellowship. METHODS: The author spent a day and a half interviewing professional staff at each library. The questionnaire used was sent to the directors of each library in advance of the visit, and the directors picked the staff to be interviewed and set up the schedule. RESULTS: Seven significant trends were identified. These trends are part of the shift of AHSLs from being facility and print oriented with a primary focus on their role as repositories of a print-based knowledgebase to a new focus on their role as the center or "nexus" for the organization, access, and use of an increasingly digital-based knowledgebase. CONCLUSION: This paper calls for a national effort to develop a new model or structure for health sciences libraries to more effectively respond to the challenges of access and use of a digital knowledgebase, much the same way the National Library of Medicine did in the 1960s and 1970s in developing and implementing the National Network of Libraries of Medicine. The paper then concludes with some examples or ideas for research to assist in this process. (+info)
Career progression of academic medical library directors.
(13/75)
While females are still underrepresented as directors overall, the results of our survey indicate that in the past ten years female library directors have been hired in numbers nearly matching their overall percentage of the medical library profession. When the personal characteristics of medical library directors are compared by gender, male directors are more likely to be married, have children, and be somewhat younger upon attaining their first directorship. When the professional characteristics are compared, the only notable difference is that a greater portion of males hold a second master's degree. Despite the changing numbers of female library directors in the past ten years, these differences all held constant before and after 1977. Only the number of internal successions to directorship changed over time. The succession patterns of medical library directors now match more closely those of other academic library directors. (+info)
Subpoenas and library operations: rules and recourse.
(14/75)
The subpoena process represents a legal obligation and duty of citizenry and is becoming a fact of life in the operations of many libraries. Regardless of whether a library is directly involved in litigation, the library director may be faced with adjusting operations to compensate for the loss of personnel, collection materials, or other resources in order to accommodate the demands of a subpoena. This paper outlines the formal subpoena process and highlights a number of scenarios by which the library may become a part of the process. The area of computer law, in particular, may present a "growth phase" in library litigation. In addition, recommendations to minimize the service interruptions caused by the subpoena are offered. The director must assist library counsel in formulating a response to challenge, modify, or quash (throw out) the subpoena. Efforts to quash the subpoena require proof that the materials requested are irrelevant to the case, not subpoenaed for "good cause," or that compliance would be unduly oppressive and burdensome. In any case, the library director must be fully prepared to educate counsel on the potential impact of the subpoena. (+info)
Library development and the joint commission on accreditation of hospitals standards.
(15/75)
The author traces the historical development of standards for library services prepared by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals, emphasizing those elements of the present standards that auger well for the development of libraries in hospitals. Then examined are the role of librarians and new roles for libraries, stressing sound management practices that ensure continued development. (+info)
The clouded crystal ball and the library profession.
(16/75)
Growing awareness of the transition from an industrial age to a communication- and knowledge-based economy appears reflected in some changing directions in libraries. Major trends include (1) a change in management practices, (2) a realignment of operational goals away from technical processing activities to client-oriented outreach services, and (3) the identification of educational functions as a primary professional role. The twin concepts of knowledge utilization and information brokering are beginning to have an impact on the definition of the librarian's role. (+info)