For the past several years, many in the library profession have questioned the relevance of reference librarians in the digital age. With so much information available online, are reference librarians even still needed? The author believes they are--probably even more so today than ever. It is precisely the vast proliferation of electronic…

Reviews changes in health sciences libraries, including the evolving role of health sciences librarians, education and training of health sciences librarians, rethinking reference services, impact on quality health care, improving the value of information, virtual libraries, National Library of Medicine initiatives, and quality initiatives. (LRW)

This document is intended to stimulate thinking about the role of the library in the digital age, about the potential--and the imperative--for libraries to meet new needs, and about how these needs will influence the design of physical space. The goal of this document is to expose an array of perspectives on the future of the library and to…

Discusses the decisions involved in the creation of library services in support of the associate degree nursing program at Midland College, such as whether to establish a separate or integrated collection and how to organize the collection. Looks at the philosophy underlying these decisions and the way problems were handled. (DMM)

Report of the 1992 Medical Library Association (MLA) conference summarizes debates on librarians as chief information officers, electronic access versus ownership, electronic publishing and journal prices, and Total Quality Management. The role of the National Library of Medicine is discussed, and MLA honors and awards are listed. (MES)

Describes a project at the Ministry of Health Library and Documentation Centre in Malawi, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), that changed the role of the library from information collector to producer of information through the use of desktop publishing and the creation of CD-ROM databases. (LRW)

Describes a study of Institutes of Health Sciences (IHS) libraries in Botswana that determined the state of the collections and services and examined how well the libraries provided complements to classroom-based student learning and to lecturers' research. Results showed that college library standards were not met and recommends strategies for…

This course text outlines the objectives and content for a professional continuing education course on clinical medical librarianship. Following an introduction to the course, the history of clinical librarianship and several programs are described. The third section offers guidelines for setting goals and objectives for a clinical librarian…

Discusses how librarians in the new role of "informationist" can help doctors and researches of medical information. Describes existing models of the informationist; potential benefits of working across professional boundaries outside the library; professional requirements; and unresolved issues for the new role, including potential…

Changes in medical school curricula and teaching approach have led to an increased use in computer courseware and other technology. The traditional audiovisual library serving medical school students must redefine the role of the information provider to include helping students navigate networks; choosing and evaluating instructional materials;…

Compares two distinct approaches to education for medical librarianship--those of the People's Republic of China and of North America. Topics discussed include formal degree programs; certification; the relationship between educators and practitioners; the changing needs of medical librarians regarding continuing education; lifelong learning; and…

Includes eight articles that discuss issues related to special corporate libraries in Australia. Highlights include change, competition, and marketing; customer service in a value-added information environment; the need for librarians to organize and locate relevant information; and health libraries. (LRW)

Describes how the free-of-charge Consumer Health Information Service (CHIS) of the Preston Medical Library of the University of Tennessee Medical Center (Knoxville) helps answer the community's health care questions. Discusses challenges related to public policy, time factors, and information retrieval; a user satisfaction survey; and the role of…

This paper presents an overview of how American libraries have responded to the health crisis caused by HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). AIDS information dissemination practices of libraries and the social role which American librarians have articulated regarding their special responsibilities are…

Describes the integration of personal digital assistants into a medical center library's services in Illinois. Discusses training for users; hardware selection; software selection and content; technical support; the role of libraries, including the creation of policies and procedures; and future challenges. (LRW)