NHS Libraries Research Articles

The funding of postgraduate medical education in NHS libraries--is a formula workable? A case study from the North East Thames and North West Thames Regions.

The funding of postgraduate medical education in NHS libraries--is a formula workable? A case study from the North East Thames and North West Thames Regions.

Who uses NHS libraries? Preliminary results from a survey of postgraduate medical libraries in North East Thames.

Recent changes have made Regional Deans fund-holders for postgraduate medical education. Allocations from the Dean's budget often fund NHS library infrastructure and associated costs arising from the information and study needs of junior medical staff. To provide adequate levels of stock and services for all library users requires funding from all appropriate sources. This paper describes a survey carried out in North East Thames to facilitate appropriate funding by and for user groups other than junior doctors. The wide variation in results is discussed. The survey is not seen as definitive, but as part of the beginning of the evolutionary process of allocating funds for libraries serving postgraduate medical education and other users. Further research is suggested, particularly in other Regions, to provide comparative data.

Publishers' attitudes to multiple photocopying of journal articles in NHS libraries

Publishers' attitudes to multiple photocopying of journal articles in NHS libraries

Performance indicators in the Oxford Region Library and Information Service: first steps

This article outlines the results of a first attempt in the Oxford Regional Health Authority to establish performance indicators for NHS libraries. Thirteen data elements and 11 ratios of performance are described, along with the data themselves for the libraries in seven District Health Authorities.

General practitioners' use of NHS libraries

This article reports the findings of the South West Thames Regional Health Authority's Community Health Information Project. The enquiries received from general practitioners and other community health‐care staff at the postgraduate medical centre libraries in the South West Thames Regional Health Authority were surveyed. A similar survey was carried out at the library of the Royal College of General Practitioners. The results from a detailed analysis of these enquiries are given. The main conclusions of the survey are: (i) the important role vocational training activities play in the information needs of general practitioners; (ii) the vast width and depth of users' enquiries; (iii) the flexibility of approach required by librarians to meet the wide‐ranging needs of community health‐care staff and (iv) the identification of type A and type B libraries, which lie at the two ends of a continuum of provision.

Library services for management trainees in the NHS: report of an investigation

A questionnaire survey was carried out in one NHS region on the use of literature and libraries by administrators studying for IHSM qualifications. The results showed that these students relied almost totally on course reading lists toguide their studies. They obtained the required texts by borrowing them from colleagues or buying them. Students seem unaware of NHS libraries and the help they could obtain from librarians. Suggestions for improving library services to these students and for improving the students' use of libraries are made.