Tooling up to facilitate findability, virtual collaboration, and storytelling with data.

Abstract

Technology matters more than ever in these challenging times. Given the competition between library services and the commercial sector, tight funding climate, and increasing calls for transparency and accountability, we need to take advantage of all the tools at hand. Technology tools provide critical opportunities for health sciences libraries to connect users to sought-after resources in an ever-deepening pool of available research, scholarship, and data; problem solve to achieve efficiencies and cost savings; reach out to users in ways more potent than ever; and strengthen and expand the role of the library within the institution and beyond. Every year, this column recognizes a handful of health sciences librarians and libraries for projects that use technology in innovative ways. Virtual projects refer to successful implementations of technological advancements and their real-world use in library environments—particularly those that extend services beyond the bounds of the physical library experience. An advisory committee of technology experts annually reviews submissions and selects those few that best demonstrate new technologies or applications of technologies that creatively solve problems, strengthen services, engage users, and are replicable at other health sciences libraries or contain elements that will be transferable to other settings. Thus, these inspiring projects warrant closer attention by the health sciences library community. We are pleased to present five technology projects that have successfully addressed issues that are common to health sciences libraries everywhere. This year's “technology laureates” stand apart for their innovation and relevance. Two librarians at Yale University created an ingenious search tool that enhances the efficiency of the comprehensive search process for the expert searchers at their library and across the country. Librarians from the University of Pittsburgh creatively developed the first-ever federated search engine for multiple preprint servers to help researchers quickly discover biomedical research in a preprint format. For the first time in this column, we are featuring a virtual project sponsored by a Medical Library Association chapter. The Midcontinental Chapter of the Medical Library Association took a risk and succeeded in offering an all-virtual annual meeting. What made the difference? Check out the authors' thoughtful lessons learned from their all-virtual conference experience. Because metrics matter, especially when it comes to fostering evidence-based librarianship (EBL) and public confidence in libraries, we are excited to highlight the Penn State dashboard project, which impressively communicates the library's value and impact on the community it serves. Finally, we want to spotlight the stunning infographics work of a librarian serving in a new, emerging role for medical librarians, that of a research and evaluation analyst, at the University of Massachusetts Center for Clinical and Translational Science. It is our hope and expectation that these projects will engender learning, spur action, and build capacity for continued work in the area of library technology to continuously reshape services to meet the evolving needs of our users. Please consider sharing your own virtual project in future columns to inspire your colleagues to embrace and leverage technology tools to transform services, workflows, and outreach. Submissions, suggestions, and questions should be directed to Susan Lessick, AHIP, FMLA, at ude.icu@kcissels. Susan Lessick, MA, MLS, AHIP, FMLA, ude.icu@kcissels, Librarian Emerita, Grunigen Medical Library, University of California, Irvine, 7468 East Calle Durango, Anaheim, CA 92808