Medical and health sciences libraries have incorporated the elements of evidence-based practice (EBP) into their reference services, instruction, and online resource development for years. While EBP focuses on the use of medical and health sciences literature in the clinical environment (i.e., making decisions about how to treat a particular…

This article presents a case study of the intranet implementation and adoption process of a SharePoint intranet at a small academic library and investigates why the many Web 2.0 tools of the library intranet are currently underused. Staff interviews showed that common goals for an intranet, such as information dissemination, knowledge sharing,…

Four papers discuss LANs (local area networks) and library applications: (1) "Institute for Electrical and Electronic Engineers Standards..." (Charles D. Brown); (2) "Facilities Planning for LANs..." (Gail Persky); (3) "Growing up with the Alumni Library: LAN..." (Russell Buchanan); and (4) "Implementing a LAN...at the Health Sciences Library"…

Examines technological changes in the local area network (LAN) of the Health Sciences Library of Allegheny General Hospital during three years of operation and describes the resulting evolution of staff, services, network requirements, budget, and external relationships of the library. LAN expenditures over four years are shown. (1 reference) (MES)

Discusses factors that combined to make it possible for health sciences libraries to take initiative for developing technological methods and skills needed for computer librarianship before other types of libraries entered the field: size, money, medical center background, requirements of users, state of health science libraries and librarians,…

Discussion of planning, installation, and results of an online catalog at University of Maryland Health Sciences Library highlights Integrated Library System, speed and patron perceptions of online catalog, searching power, ways in which catalog can bypass physical and organizational boundaries, and effect on staff and users of the library. (EJS)

Describes an automated interlibrary loan request routing and referral system made available to U.S. biomedical libraries by the National Library of Medicine. The description covers the databases used and the systems modules that support various functions. The current status of the system and possible future developments are discussed. (six…

Discusses rationale for the conversion of a card catalog to an online system in a special library owning approximately 4,000 titles. Equipment, software, and procedures are described, and pros and cons, costs, and personnel needs involved in use of microcomputer for such a project are outlined. Nine references are cited. (EJS)

Describes a project at the National Library of Medicine that investigated the development of an expert system to assist catalogers with personal name authority work. Topics include project planning; software and hardware selection; knowledge engineering; and reasons for discontinuing the development of the expert system. (three references) (LRW)

Describes management experiences at University of California--Los Angeles (UCLA), University of Minnesota Biomedical Library, and California Institute of Technology. Discussions include development of ORION (UCLA's online technical processing and information system); organizational changes occurring as result of large-scale automation;…

Presents a brief summary of the functions of the Bibliographic Access & Control System (BACS) implemented at the Washington University School of Medicine Library, and outlines the design, development, and uses of the system. Bibliographic control of books and serials and user access to the system are also discussed. (Author/JL)

Describes the development of Bookshelf, a multi-user microcomputer system for small libraries that uses an integrated software package. The discussion covers the design parameters of the package, which were based on a survey of seven small libraries, and some characteristics of the software. (three notes with references) (CLB)

Describes use of microcomputers with system called "TBBS" ("The Bread Board System") at Loma Linda University Medical Center to allow users enhanced services from home, whether library facilities are open or not. Flexibility and security, dialing into medical library, and suggestions for setting up similar computerized…

Describes the implementation of an online catalog in the library of the National Institute for Cancer Research and the Clinical and Experimental Oncology Institute of the University of Genoa. Topics addressed include automation of various library functions, software features, database management, training, and user response. (10 references) (MES)

Argues that training in the use of computer based retrieval systems fails to meet many of the needs of staff and end-user searchers in health sciences information and that, although structured training programs present several advantages, they are rarely implemented. It is recommended that a design process based on Needs-Objectives-Content-Method…