Alaska Health Sciences Library: a tribute, a welcome, and a challenge.
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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) conducted a survey to ascertain the perceptions of 322 library service chiefs and health care administrators within the VA health care system. Participants were asked to rate the desirability and probability of twenty-five predetermined statements and to identify the forces that would have an impact, either positive or negative, on whatever statements became reality. The response rate was 93%. Analysis of the data indicated that there was no significant difference between the library managers and health care administrators in their perceptions. Results indicate that both groups believe libraries serve an integral role in VA medical centers and that library services cannot be provided as successfully off site. The data also appear to reveal a clear consensus on the part of both groups for increased library involvement in educational activities and information delivery.
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The MD undergraduate program at McMaster University, based entirely on self-instruction, requires the provision of all kinds of learning resources. How these are assembled and made available is described. Emphasis is placed on the practical library problems of cataloging, shelving, maintenance, and distribution of audiovisual materials including pathology specimens and 'problem boxes' as well as the more usual films, videotapes and slide/tape sets. Evaluation is discussed briefly.
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A group of experts in several fields (informatics, information science, library science, and operations research/modeling) observed the preparation and conduct of the web-based conference of the International Psychopharmacology Algorithm Project (IPAP) and analyzed what they saw and heard. The novel format of the conference introduced several possible benefits; however, it was not clear whether it might also introduce additional problems that would degrade the quality of the output algorithms. The observers concluded that many (though not all) of the benefits were achieved and that while there were some problems with the format, the quality of the algorithms did not appear to have suffered.
A project to create a lifelong learning community among health sciences library and information professionals by demonstrating the potential for using complementary technologies to provide access to a full range of educational experiences as recommended in Platform for Change, the Medical Library Association's educational policy statement, is described. The cooperative project brings together the rich continuing education tradition of the Medical Library Association, the experience of the University of South Carolina in distance education, and the Library and Information Science Distance Education Consortium to create a virtual campus through which health sciences library professionals may engage in lifelong learning.
Many health sciences libraries are now considering integrated automated systems for an investment of several hundred thousand dollars. The request for proposals (RFPs) is the usual method of selecting candidate vendors for close inspection of promising systems. This paper draws upon the experience of the Library of Rush University and that of twelve other health sciences libraries. The libraries were interviewed by telephone using a short questionnaire that asked them to compare the RFPs with the systems actually obtained and their experiences in implementing them. The libraries were also asked, with the benefit of hindsight, what would they have done differently. Four vendors were also interviewed by telephone, in order to get their point of view.
A content analysis of health sciences library positions available in 1977-1978, as advertised in the MLA News, presents the professional requirements sought by employers of applicants. Data for 414 advertised positions were coded and are displayed in nine tables. Variables selected from the range of positions advertised include: type of position, years of experience, subject background, Medical Library Association, and on-line experience. Geographic distribution of jobs is also given.
The caliber of the librarian is a health sciences library's most important resource. This paper explores factors which have influenced who has, or who has not, entered the profession of medical librarianship, and discusses several attributes which the author considers critical for restructuring the profession to meet current and future needs.
The development of reference/information services in the health sciences library is traced, with emphasis on the events which brought about change. The distinction between information and knowledge is outlined and a philosophy which stresses the value of the librarian's knowledge is offered as the key to the future.
Nonprint materials are rapidly becoming important information and learning resource materials for the health science library. Because of their long experience in organizing and utilizing informational materials, libraries represent highly appropriate repositories and sites for utilization of these new materials. Nonprint materials differ from printed materials in several ways, and this may account for the resistance of some librarians to dealing with them. One of the most important differences is that a machine must serve as mediator between the information and the user of nonprint materials. Also, the great variety of formats and machines can confuse the novice. The librarian must learn to deal with these differences in a creative way through a process of cooperation and collaboration with media and educational technology specialists.
Medical or health sciences librarianship is viewed as a system whose components are the professional school, the professional group, and the professional association. As an open system it imports energy from these components, or subsystems, and transforms this energy into professionally identifiable products. The subsystems, in influencing the character of the medical and health sciences library profession, are interdependent and interrelated. However, linkages between the subsystems are becoming defective due primarily to lack of communication, information, and feedback. Stronger and more vigorous interaction among the subsystems is needed.
Communication patterns and working relationships between large health sciences libraries and departmental libraries are examined and discussed. The results of a telephone survey to obtain information on the experiences of twenty-one large New York metropolitan area health sciences libraries with their departmental libraries are reported. Discussion includes the experiences of Columbia University's Augustus Long Health Sciences Library with departmental libraries within the Columbia/Presbyterian Medical Center (C/PMC). A mediated survey of C/PMC departmental libraries and over thirty years of cooperation with some of these departments are reported. The potential detrimental effects of departmental libraries are acknowledged, but the substantial positive benefits of cooperation and ways to achieve this cooperation are emphasized.