This paper is an account of the accomplishments of some of the early past presidents of the Medical Library Association known personally to the author in his career as a medical librarian. It demonstrates the qualities that made these librarians leaders of our profession and also indicates their personal attributes that contributed to the advancement of medical librarianship. It is hoped that the historical presentation of some of the giants of our profession will inspire present and future presidents and other medical librarians with an understanding of some of the qualities necessary to the continuing success of our profession. Sir William Osler, who was a great believer in libraries and librarians and himself a Past President of MLA, summed up four qualities in his advice to medical students equally applicable to past and present leadership in the library profession-(1) the art of detachment, (2) the virtue of method, (3) the quality of thoroughness, (4) the grace of humility (Osler, Sir William. Teacher and Student. In his Aequanimitas: with Other Addresses to Medical Students. 3d ed. Philadelphia, Blakiston Company, 1904. p. 27-31.). It is thought that our past presidents possessed all of these qualities. (+info)
Online tables of contents for books: effect on usage.
(2/14)
OBJECTIVES: To explore whether the presence of online tables of contents (TOC) in an online catalog affects circulation (checkouts and inhouse usage). Two major questions were posed: (1) did the presence of online tables of contents for books increase use, and, (2) if it did, what factors might cause the increase? METHOD: A randomized and stratified design was used in tracking usage of 3,957 book titles that were previously divided into two groups: one with TOC and one without TOC. Stratification was done for year of imprint, location, subject, previous use, circulating or non-circulating status, and presence of TOC. The use was tracked by the online catalog statistics in the InnoPac online catalog for fourteen months. RESULTS: The study found that tables of contents do increase usage. It also showed a correlation in the size of the effect based on the currency of the titles. In general, even after adjusting for all of the variables (publication date, location, circulation status, subject, and previous use), the odds of a title being used increased by 45% if the titles had online tables of contents, a statistically significant impact at the 0.05 level. CONCLUSIONS: This case-control study presents new information about the impact on circulation and inhouse use when tables of contents for books are added to the online catalog record. The study helps to establish the positive role of tables of contents in online catalogs. The research establishes TOC as a major parameter that can be successfully studied using quantitative methods. The study also provides information professionals with some guidance on when enhancement of TOC is likely to be most effective in increasing the use of existing collections. (+info)
A HISTORICAL MEDICAL COLLECTION, AND SOME OF THE PROBLEMS IT PRESENTS.
(3/14)
The organization of a historical collection in a medical library presents many problems. Among these are space limitations, choice of material to be included, and classification. This paper discusses the organization of the historical collection particularly as it relates to books and journals in the Rudolph Matas Medical Library of Tulane University. The problem of classification is discussed at length. The principal classification systems are reviewed, particularly that of the National Library of Medicine Classification. The expansion of the NLM scheme to suit our purpose is presented. This includes classifying Americana imprints by subject rather than state, changing the termination date of Americana to 1900, grouping the history of specialties with books on the history of medicine, and recognizing the problem involved in reclassifying books on military medicine and surgery. The selection and arrangement of periodicals relating to the history of medicine is also discussed. (+info)
Trends in types of dermatology books available over the last ten years.
(4/14)
Shifts in interest toward cosmetic and surgical dermatology and away from medical and academic dermatology have been observed in recent years. We hypothesized that this trend would be evident in the types of books available for purchase from a major medical textbook supplier. Books published from 1998-2008 were categorized by type and statistical testing was performed to determine if this trend has been reflected in books published. The percentage of medical dermatology books decreased over time, whereas the percentage of cosmetic and surgical dermatology books increased over time. (+info)
Foundations of medical librarianship.
(5/14)
The development of medical librarianship during the last forty years is examined as reflected in the changes of its resources, technology, education, and knowledge base. A shift from historical to scientific inquiry constitutes the direction of medical librarianship. Its nexus is the gathering of information and the transfer of knowledge. The social and human resources for this ongoing change and the basis for a quest for excellence is seen in the pool of talent represented by hospital librarians and the aspirations of the women's movement for equality. (+info)
Classification systems used in medical libraries.
(6/14)
The present study identifies the classification systems used in 941 libraries. It explores the reasons behind the choice of the National Library of Medicine Classification by 589 libraries. Reclassification procedures were investigated through a questionnaire sent to twenty-five libraries that have changed to NLM since 1959. Statistics and replies are given on: the classification systems employed prior to reclassification; the use of broad or specific Library of Congress class numbers in the LC schedules outside the scope of the NLM schedules; the number of catalogers in each library doing the reclassification; the use of cut-off dates for retrospective materials; the adoption of MeSH headings; user preference; and cost differences. Chief reasons for the change to NLM proved to be local circumstances, currency, arrangement of subclasses by NLM, its dovetailing with the LC Classification, and reliance upon nationally centralized cataloging services. (+info)
A regional cooperative acquisition program for monographs.
(7/14)
A cooperative acquisition program for monographs for the twelve resource libraries in Region IX of the Regional Medical Library Network is described. Each of the participating libraries has agreed to purchase all books of an assigned publisher which fall within a prescribed subject-format profile. It is hoped that this will help to reduce unnecessary duplication and contribute toward the development of resources in the region. (+info)
Thoughts on cataloging and classification in a small medical library.
(8/14)
This article is based on experience with small library collections. It is an effort to point out some of the problems in cataloging and classification, to arouse an interest in self-analysis on the part of the small library, and to offer some suggestions as to how the small institution can streamline techniques and economize on meager resources with no loss of value to the card catalog. It is recognized that the catalogs in many small libraries are unsuited for their tasks as a result of adhering to philosophies of larger institutions. The small institution has neither the need nor resources for such completeness in cataloging and classification. Deviation from standard rules is not advocated. However, consistency in treatment is advised and adherence in depth to standard rules is questioned. (+info)