Academic Health Sciences Libraries Research Articles

Mary L. Ryan, AHIP, FMLA Medical Library Association 2008–2009

Mary L. Ryan, AHIP, FMLA Medical Library Association 2008–2009

The role of subject knowledge in academic health sciences libraries: an online survey of librarians working in the United States

Introduction - Previous research suggests that Canadian academic health sciences librarians value knowledge of the health sciences and spend a considerable amount of time gaining and maintaining it. The current study replicates the earlier Canadian survey but employs a larger American sample to address three questions: Do academic health sciences librarians working in the United States find knowledge of the health sciences to be important, and if so, how do they acquire it? Do the attitudes of Canadian and American academic health sciences librarians differ with respect to subject knowledge? Methods - An invitation to participate in a Web-based survey was sent to 711 academic health sciences librarians working in the US; 154 participated. Results - Academic health sciences librarians in the US felt that keeping up with the scientific and medical literature was important to doing their jobs, although only 50% of respondents felt that a degree in the health sciences was somewhat or very useful. Discussion - Participating in professional organizations, visiting Web sites, and reading or browsing journals or magazines were rated by respondents as the best ways to become informed about the health sciences. Findings were similar to those of an earlier survey of Canadian academic health sciences librarians.

Glenn Lowell Brudvig, 1931–2007

Glenn Lowell Brudvig, 1931–2007

Analysis and Lessons Learned Instituting an Instant Messaging Reference Service at an Academic Health Sciences Library

In February 2006, Thomas Jefferson University went live with a new instant messaging (IM) service. This paper reviews the first 102 transcripts to examine question types and usage patterns. In addition, the paper highlights lessons learned in instituting the service. IM reference represents a small proportion of reference questions, but based on user feedback and technological improvements, the library has decided to continue the service.

Health Communication: From Theory to Practice

Health Communication: From Theory to Practice

À La Carte Learning

ABSTRACT Orientation for distance students often does not equal the ideal teachable moment for learning about library resources and services. Seeking ways to provide learning objects for students to use at the point of need, academic health sciences librarians have created printable guides, Flash video demonstrations and simulations, and interactive tutorials. This electronic poster demonstrates how the learning objects were created, modified, and inserted into various delivery platforms, such as the library's web page, course management system, and CD-ROM.

The Leadership Reconsidered symposium: report.

On May 22, 2002, a symposium was conducted at MLA '02, the 102d Annual Meeting of the Medical Library Association (MLA), to explore the concepts of leadership and management. The symposium was cosponsored by the MLA Leadership and Management Section and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL), with support from Majors Scientific Books and Aries Systems Corporation. The overall symposium goal was to develop a strategic agenda for leadership in health sciences libraries through defining the issues and recommending actions. Symposium objectives were to: obtain an overview of library leadership issues from national experts in the field; hear the latest research on the attributes that present and future library leaders need to possess; learn about existing library leadership development programs; brainstorm in facilitated discussions about the leadership challenges facing health sciences libraries; and engage in dialogue with leaders from MLA, AAHSL, the National Library of Medicine (NLM), and other MLA members about how the profession must respond to these challenges and provide recommendations for a strategic agenda for future action. Registrants included 100 health sciences librarians, representing both academic and hospital library environments, including eighteen colleagues acting as group facilitators and recorders. Seven speakers covered various aspects of leadership as well as examples of library leadership development programs in existence throughout the country. Participants also took part in group brainstorming sessions with the results reported to the symposium. A list of attendees can be found on the symposium Website.

의학분야 학술잡지 선택에 영향을 미치는 요인 연구

학술잡지 구입 예산의 구입비용의 상승에 따른 압력으로 지난 수십년간 학술잡지의 선택에 영향을 미치는 요인들에 대한 연구가 활발히 진행되어 왔지만, 학술잡지의 선택에 대한 만족할만한 이론적 틀이 제시되지 못하였다. 이에 따라 본 연구에서는 의학도서관에서 의학분야의 학술잡지의 선택에 영향을 미치는 요인들을 확인하여 이러한 이론적 틀을 제시할 수 있는 근거를 마련코자 한다. 본 연구는 상관관계 분석과 로지스틱회귀분석을 통해 학술잡지선택의 분산을 설명하고, 나아가 예측하는 통계적 모델들을 여러 변수조합을 이용해 제시한다. 또한 이러한 모델의 실제적 적용과 향후 연구방향을 논의한다.

Conformity for Conformity's Sake? The Choice of a Classification System and a Subject Heading System in Academic Health Sciences Libraries

ABSTRACT This article investigates classification and subject heading systems used in academic health sciences libraries and the reasons these systems were chosen. The study also ascertains the respective systems used at the general libraries at the same academic institutions, in order to find out if there is a desire for conformity. Specific attention is paid to the question whether a shared OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) may play a role in this desire. The results show that 75% of the survey participants from academic health sciences libraries use primarily the NLM (National Library of Medicine) classification system and 95% use MeSH (Medical Subject Headings). General libraries at the same institutions overwhelmingly use the systems developed by the Library of Congress. The most compelling reason for the use of NLM systems is that they are considered the most appropriate for medical collections.

Toward Improved Collections in Medical Humanities: Fiction in Academic Health Sciences Libraries

Although fiction plays a prominent role in the interdisciplinary field of medical humanities (MH), it is physically and intellectually isolated from non-fiction in academic health sciences libraries. Using the Literature, Arts, and Medicine Database (LAMD) as a tool for selection and subject analysis, we suggest a method of integrating fiction with non-fiction through the application of non-literary classification numbers and subject headings to improve physical and bibliographic access to medical humanities collections.

HSCL LibQUAL+ 2004

The University of Florida Health Science Center Libraries created a task force representing various departments to review data from its 2004 LibQUAL+ survey. This review compared results from the 2002 and 2004 LibQUAL+ surveys, and the data from the Association of Academic Health Science Libraries 2004 cohort. The task force analyzed the key components of the LibQUAL+ survey: Affect of Service, Information Control, Library as Place, and user comments. At the conclusion of this review, the task force made recommendations and suggestions along departmental lines to meet the patrons' needs and expectations. In addition to following the task force recommendations, the Libraries independently implemented several new services and hired additional personnel after the completion of the 2004 survey. Combined, these changes should improve overall library service and increase customer satisfaction. Looking towards the 2006 LibQUAL+survey, the task force will be convened in advance and will guide the entire process.

A Survey of the Usability of Digital Reference Services on Academic Health Science Library Web Sites

Reference interactions with patrons in a digital library environment using digital reference services (DRS) has become widespread. However, such services in many libraries appear to be underutilized. A study surveying the ease and convenience of such services for patrons in over 100 academic health science library Web sites suggests that cumbersome access and difficulty of use may be a key restraining force.

Improving the Health of Seniors: A Partnership between a Public Library and an Academic Health Sciences Library

Improving the Health of Seniors: A Partnership between a Public Library and an Academic Health Sciences Library

Creating an Online Tutorial for Consumer Health Information Center Volunteers

This article describes the creation of an online tutorial for volunteers who serve the patrons of consumer health information centers. The tutorial's objective was to improve overall training, and followed a year of using printed material and face-to-face instruction. Library graduate assistants and librarians from a large, academic health science library collaborated with a health educator and volunteers from a hospital-based consumer health information center. The completed tutorial gained high ratings for presentation and content in a subsequent usability study which also identified beneficial revisions to tutorial topics. The tutorial's content and design may serve as a guide for similar projects.

Developing an Interdisciplinary Collaboration Center in an Academic Health Sciences Library

This article describes the evolution of the Health Sciences Library's plans for an interdisciplinary, technology-enhanced collaboration center, from a technology-driven space to one with a vision of support for peer-to-peer learning and research. The center offers an exciting opportunity to be an essential partner in collaborative and interdisciplinary programs such as the new Carolina Center for Exploratory Genetic Analysis. The Library is a centrally located and neutral place, which helps minimize geographical and territorial obstacles to effective collaboration. The collaboration center raises the Library's visibility and allows staff to demonstrate the value of knowledge resources, services, technology expertise, infrastructure, and facilities for group study and collaboration.

Digital Chat Reference in Health Science Libraries

ABSTRACT Digital reference service adds a valuable new dimension to health science reference services, but the road to implementation can present questions that require carefully considered decisions. This article incorporates suggestions from the published literature, provides tips from interviews with practicing academic health science librarians, and reports on data from students' exploration of academic health science library Web sites' digital reference services. The goal of this study is to provide guidelines to plan new services, assess user needs, and select software, and to showcase potential benefits of collaboration and proactive and user-friendly marketing. In addition, tips for successful operation and evaluation of services are discussed.

The Electronic Resources Librarian in the Health Sciences Library

This article will address the evolution of collection development in the age of e-resources. According to results from a survey conducted by the authors, there are some emerging “best practices” for librarians responsible for e-resources in academic health sciences libraries. This paper will present a model for managing e-resources using East Carolina University Laupus Library's Collection Development/Electronic Resources Librarian position. A brief online survey was sent to library directors via the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) discussion list. It was designed to gather information concerning E-Resources Librarians and how e-resources are handled in this group of libraries. The article will present what has worked for Laupus Library in relation to the responses from the AAHSL survey. The E-Resources Librarian is still closely tied to the technical services functions within the library. However, there are a number of attributes of the E-Resources Librarian position that are similar to Information Service (Reference) and Public Service Librarians. It has also been found that the E-Resources Librarian must work closely with the library's Systems Department as well as the Information Services Department (IS) while keeping close ties with Technical Services.

Digital Reference Service

Two years after the initial 2002 study, a greater number of academic health science libraries are offering digital reference chat services, and this number appears poised to grow in the coming years. This 2004 follow-up study found that 36 (27%) of the academic health science libraries examined provide digital chat reference services; this was an approximately 6% increase over the 25 libraries (21%) located in 2002. Trends in digital reference services in academic health science libraries were derived from the exploration of academic health science library Web sites and from digital correspondence with academic health science library personnel using e-mail and chat. This article presents an overview of the current state of digital reference service in academic health science libraries.

Exploring Outcomes Assessment

The Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) participated as one of two consortia in the 2002 pilot of LibQUAL+(™); the other was the Ohio Library and Information Network (OhioLINK), a consortium of Ohio's college and university libraries and the State Library of Ohio. This report focuses on the AAHSL/ARL partnership, the AAHSL aggregate experience and results, and collaborative outcomes. Whereas AAHSL will continue LibQUAL+(™) participation in 2003 with another cohort of participating libraries, a foundation for qualitative assessment within AAHSL has been grounded. Specifically, this report outlines the qualitative efforts of the AAHSL Task Force on Service Quality Assessment, for which a team of nine members served, including Jane Blumenthal (Georgetown University), Diana Cunningham (New York Medical College), Rick Forsman (University of Colorado), Tamera Lee (Medical College of Georgia), Logan Ludwig (Loyola University-Chicago), James Shedlock (Northwestern University), Julie Sollenberger (University of Rochester), Susan Starr (University of California, San Diego) and Laurie Thompson (State University of New York Upstate).

Planning Bioinformatics Education and Information Services in an Academic Health Sciences Library

This article describes a planning process for the development of bioinformatics education and information services in an academic health sciences library. The project’s five goals were to:(1) understand the changing environment for information related to bioinformatics;(2) understand the information needs of faculty whose work involves bioinformatics; (3) explore potential service offerings; (4) anticipate factors influencing the implementation of new services; and (5) envision strategies for recruiting and training information professionals to fill these roles. The authors describe the library’s practice environment and review recent research on the information needs of biomedical researchers and clinicians. A variety of potential library-based services in relation to bioinformatics are enumerated, and the institutional, environmental, and personnel factors affecting the deployment of services are examined. Finally, the authors describe the educational and training context of the library, and explore potential roles for librarians and information professionals in the context of bioinformatics services.