Abstract
The demand for systematic review support in academic health sciences libraries is increasing. To manage the demand, the John W. Scott Health Sciences Library at the University of Alberta has created an action plan consisting of eight strategies. The results of implementing these strategies have been varied. Some have shown immediate results, while others are long term strategies.
Highlights
While systematic reviews date back to 1904 [1], their production began to increase significantly in the 1990s reaching more than 5000 per year in 2007 [2]
The number of Cochrane Reviews produced over time shows a constant increase [4]
Budget restraints do not allow for increased staff to meet the demand
Summary
While systematic reviews date back to 1904 [1], their production began to increase significantly in the 1990s reaching more than 5000 per year in 2007 [2]. Four positions exist in which a librarian, who is an expert searcher, is employed 80% of the time with a health research group and 20% with the Scott Library These arrangements are designed to be sufficiently flexible so that the librarians can vary their schedules to meet demand for search consultations. Librarians report that researchers who have spent time working with the form arrive at the Library better prepared, have a better grasp of the concepts around systematic reviews, and generally require less introductory instruction before the search. Since January 2012, the Scott Library has offered the ‘‘Introduction to Systematic Review Searching’’ workshop 25 times, with 338 researchers attending These frequently fill up within a day or two of being posted, even though there is no formal advertising. Library administration and the University’s research administrative offices are becoming more aware of systematic reviews as they continue to gain importance worldwide, and expand to disciplines outside of health sciences
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