Developing E-Science and Research Services and Support at the University of Minnesota Health Sciences Libraries

ABSTRACT

This article describes the development and implementation of e-science and research support services in the Health Sciences Libraries (HSL) at the University of Minnesota (UMN). A review of the broader e-science initiatives within the UMN demonstrates the needs and opportunities that the University Libraries face while building knowledge, skills, and capacity to support e-research. These experiences are being used by the University Libraries administration and HSL to apply support for the growing needs of researchers in the health sciences. Several research areas that would benefit from enhanced e-science support are described. Plans to address the growing e-research needs of health sciences researchers are also discussed.     

Developing a web-based toolkit for new mothers about postpartum pelvic floor health in collaboration with a professional medical association

Background:Few electronic resources are available for new mothers with concerns about changes in their pelvic floor following childbirth. Patients may struggle when seeking authoritative information regarding pelvic floor conditions online given the sensitivity of the topic as well as the inadvertent connection to obscene or demeaning content found online. A health sciences librarian partnered with the Motherhood and Pelvic Health Study, an interdisciplinary research group, to provide expert searching skills for a particularly challenging health condition that patients struggle to find useful information on.Case Presentation:A custom rubric was developed to evaluate existing information products, which included criteria for cultural sensitivity, conflicts of interest, and other red flags. This evaluation process enabled the research team to identify top-tier evidence-based materials that were culturally congruent. This collaborative evaluation process led to the creation of a web-based toolkit resource for new mothers concerned about changes in their pelvic floor. The toolkit connects women to pertinent information on a national health organization''s patient portal, supplemented by videos created by the team to serve as models of communication for women and health care providers.Conclusion:When developing a web-based resource, health sciences libraries can partner with research teams to find, evaluate, and disseminate information. Culturally congruent toolkits such as this one can improve access to health information and lead to improved health outcomes. To ensure that the information highlighted in toolkits is both culturally congruent and authoritative, research teams should form advisory committees and partner with relevant professional medical associations.     

Grassroots to Grassfed

Abstract

A partnership formed between a special library and a public library system to address the information needs of local farmers is the subject of this paper. The special library partner is an information center for agricultural medicine and health. The public library system is one which serves its fourteen member libraries in central New York. These libraries, together with several community-based organizations, combined their leadership, resources, and expertise in a successful outreach effort that saved a village library, improved community relations, enhanced awareness of the role of libraries, and disseminated information necessary for sustaining a viable and healthy farming community.     

NOAH (New York Online Access to Health)

Abstract

NOAH (New York Online Access to Health) is a Web site developed by four library partner organizations, in an effort to provide timely, accurate and unbiased health information to the health consumers in New York City in both English and Spanish. Since expanded to include two other partner organizations, NOAH continues, with the help of volunteer librarians, to expand and enhance the site, always with the mission to provide full-text health information in the most user-friendly method possible.     

Providing real-time resources in support of LGBTQ+ and HIV+ populations as information experts on the ECHO hub team: a case report

Background:Project ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) is a telehealth initiative that aims to reduce disparities in delivery of health care by leveraging technology and local expertise to provide guidance on specialized subjects to health care providers across the world. In 2018, a new ECHO hub convened in Indianapolis with a focus on health care for individuals in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, and queer (LGBTQ+) populations. This ECHO iteration was one of the first of its kind and would soon be followed by a new human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) ECHO as well.Case Presentation:In a novel approach, information professionals participated in the early planning stages of the formation of these ECHO teams, which enabled the provision of real-time medical evidence and resources at the point-of-need once the teams were launched. This case study demonstrates proof of concept for including health sciences librarians and/or information professionals in the ECHO as hub team members. In this case study, the authors describe and quantify the value added to the HIV and LGBTQ+ ECHO sessions by the medical librarians, as well as provide a template for how other telehealth initiatives can collaborate with their local health information professionals.Conclusions:Librarian involvement in Project ECHO over the past three years has been enthusiastically received. The librarians have contributed hundreds of resources to ECHO participants, helped build and curate resource repositories, and expanded the embedded librarian program to an additional two ECHO iterations. ECHO hub team members report high rates of satisfaction with the performance of embedded librarians and appreciate the provision of point-of-need evidence to ECHO participants.     

Leveraging Survey Results in Support of a Library Renovation: A Case Study

Abstract

The Health Sciences Library (HSL) at Stony Brook University along with the School of Medicine were motivated to make improvements in seating and hours based on survey results from an LCME self-study. Preparation for the site visit from the Liaison Committee for Medical Education helped to garner resources and support for this initiative. To meet the evolving needs of the HSL patrons, librarians completed an overdue collection assessment project which allowed for 142 new seats, including newly designed spaces and furnishings. Ongoing assessment of the redesigned space will be conducted to evaluate success and areas for continued improvement.     

Bridging the Gap: Facilitating Genealogical Research

ABSTRACT

Libraries can help support genealogy research in our communities by providing resources and expertise. Reaching out to local family historians and presenting useful information can be one of the best ways to meet the needs of this group.     

LGBTQ+ health research guides at North American health sciences libraries: a survey and content analysis

Objectives:Current literature recommends online research guides as an easy and effective tool to promote LGBTQ+ health information to both health care providers and the public. This cross-sectional study was designed to determine how extensive LGBTQ+ health guides are among hospital and academic libraries and which features are most prevalent.Methods:In order to locate LGBTQ+ health guides for content analysis, we searched for guides on the websites of libraries belonging to the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL) and the Canadian Association of Research Libraries (CARL). Additionally, we searched the Springshare interface for LibGuides with the word “health” and either “LGBT” or “transgender.” Content analysis was performed to identify major characteristics of the located guides, including target audience and the information type provided.Results:LGBTQ+ research guides were identified for 74 libraries. Of these, 5 were hospital libraries, and the rest were academic libraries. Of 158 AAHSL member libraries, 48 (30.4%) had LGBTQ+ guides on their websites. Nearly all guides (95.9%) provided general LGBTQ+ health information, and a large majority (87.8%) also had information resources for transgender health. Smaller percentages of guides contained information on HIV/AIDS (48.6%) and women''s health (16.2%).Conclusions:Even though literature recommends creating LGBTQ+ health guides, most health sciences libraries are missing an opportunity by not developing and maintaining these guides. Further research may be needed to determine the usage and usefulness of existing guides and to better identify barriers preventing libraries from creating guides.     

Providing support to friends experiencing a sexual health uncertainty

ABSTRACT

Emerging adults provide support to friends experiencing sexual health uncertainties; however, the support provided varies. Because of the centrality of friendships during emerging adulthood, identifying what shapes the support friends provide one another is necessary. A survey of 424 emerging adults indicated that, at least from the support provider’s perspective, expected outcomes, efficacy assessments, and sexual health expertise shape the support they provide friends, supporting the theory of motivated information management’s propositions. However, expertise moderated the effects of coping and target efficacy in unexpected ways, suggesting a conditional process when providing blame, fault, and distraction support. Results, as a whole, support yet complicate the theory of motivated information management’s explanation for the support or information provider due to expertise and emphasize the need for complete sexual health education for young people.     

A health literacy analysis of the consumer-oriented COVID-19 information produced by ten state health departments

Objective:The COVID-19 pandemic highlights the public''s need for quality health information that is understandable. This study aimed to identify (1) the extent to which COVID-19 messaging by state public health departments is understandable, actionable, and clear; (2) whether materials produced by public health departments are easily readable; (3) relationships between material type and understandability, actionability, clarity, and reading grade level; and (4) potential strategies to improve public health messaging around COVID-19.Methods:Based on US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention statistics from June 30, 2020, we identified the ten states with the most COVID-19 cases and selected forty-two materials (i.e., webpages, infographics, and videos) related to COVID-19 prevention according to predefined eligibility criteria. We applied three validated health literacy tools (i.e., Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool, CDC Clear Communication Index, and Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level) to assess material understandability, actionability, clarity, and readability. We also analyzed correlations between scores on the three health literacy tools and material types.Results:Overall, COVID-19 materials had high understandability and actionability but could be improved in terms of clarity and readability. Material type was significantly correlated with understandability, actionability, and clarity. Infographics and videos received higher scores on all tools.Conclusions:Based on our findings, we recommend public health entities apply a combination of these tools when developing health information materials to improve their understandability, actionability, and clarity. We also recommend using infographics and videos when possible, taking a human-centered approach to information design, and providing multiple modes and platforms for information delivery.     

Building the Global Collection-World Class Collection Development

Abstract

Scorpion is a research project at OCLC that builds tools for automatic subject assignment by combining library science and information retrieval techniques. A thesis of Scorpion is that the Dewey Decimal Classification (Dewey) can be used to perform automatic subject assignment for electronic items.     

Internet Access and Training for African-American Churches

Abstract

Edward G. Miner Library, the health sciences library at the University of Rochester Medical Center, is reaching out beyond its usual user group to improve health knowledge of members of six inner-city African-American churches and one community center. With the Congregation Healthy Heart Action Partnership (CHHAP) and the Rochester Public Library as partners, and with funding from the National Library of Medicine, Miner is providing Internet access at the churchesand training church and community members to use reliable health Web sites such as MedlinePlus. A train-the-trainer approach and follow-up meetings empower church members to carry the information to others. In addition to trainees learning about reliable health Web resources and Rochester Public Library's health resources, new relationships between libraries and churches have resulted. It is hoped that this program will help reduce health disparities between Rochester's inner-city minorities and residents of the surrounding suburbs.     

(1) Recent developments

Abstract

This paper identifies the different types of health science libraries located in various organizations engaged in research, education and training, administration and programme implementation relating to health and family welfare. These medical libraries have been grouped into four categories namely research, academic, medical and hospital, based on the functions of the organization/institution to which they are attached. Based on an all India survey, the resources, such as documents, manpower, finances and equipment of 248 health science libraries belonging to the allopathy system (modern medicine) have been examined. Basic library services, such as reference, current awareness, bibliography, MEDLARS/MEDLINE, abstracting/indexing, and photocopying have been studied. The information collected on various indices relating to medical library resources have been analysed and presented, indicating their strengths and weaknesses. The survey indicated a significant imbalance among the resources held and services rendered. Some measures for the improvement of the existing resources, services and their utilization have been suggested.     

Practices of Locating Health Information in an Electronic Environment: Reflections on Conducted Health Information Skills Training

ABSTRACT

Health information skills in an electronic environment are essential to health science librarians, who serve as educators both within and outside of their health training institutions. This reflective study was conducted to examine the application of online health information skills obtained from the training provided for librarians who are working in health settings. Health sciences librarians, as future information skills educators, therefore need to possess their own health information skill sets. Capacity building is vital in order to promote the development of health information skills for health sciences librarians who can then teach and advocate the concept of health information skills on the Internet within and outside of their places of work.     

Improving the patron experience: Sterling Memorial Library's single service point

ABSTRACT

This article describes the planning process and implementation of a single service point at Yale University's Sterling Memorial Library. While much recent scholarship on single service points (SSPs) has focused on the virtues or hazards of eliminating reference desks in libraries nationwide, this essay explores the ways in which single service points can improve the patron experience by bringing together circulation, information services, and library privileges. It begins with an overview of the process at Sterling, including the library renovation that enabled our transition. After laying out the planning, training, and implementation phases of the single service point, the essay presents the major issues with which SSPs must contend (staff expertise, integration within the library, and designing a space to suit both staff and patrons) and considers the potential of such service points to improve library services.     

Are Information Seekers and Users Among the General Public at a Crossroads?

Abstract

Presently, eating disorders affect millions of people. Today, the media and the Internet are major publishing channels for consumer health information. Much research has found that the media may offer insufficient information on eating disorders. This research examines the quantity of adult consumer health publications on eating disorders in magazine articles and on the Internet in 1998 and investigates the effectiveness of Internet search engines. The results indicate that the resources found in popular magazines and on the Internet are not adequate, and that the Internet search engines are not effective in searching for information.     

Interlibrary Lending as an Alternative Means to Improve Resource-Poor Ghanaian Libraries

ABSTRACT

The importance of science and technology information in technological advancement and research and development is obvious. It contributes directly to economic development of a country. The paper highlights major problems facing Ghanaian academic and research libraries in their attempt to provide science and technology information. These include poor collections, inadequate funding, a lack of hard currency for ordering needed documents, a lack of trained manpower, poor communication networks, lack of cooperation among existing libraries and no firm government policies to support initiatives.

The paper describes international initiatives and efforts including the IFLA/DANIDA Interlending and Document Delivery Project aimed at establishing global electronic links in order to improve availability of publications and information, which will lead to information transfer and ultimately to development. A training programme organized for six Ghanaian librarians in the United Kingdom and Denmark is described.

It is concluded that access to online databases in the developed countries is essential since it provides the most up-to-date information. It is recommended that communications infrastructure be installed so that Ghanaian libraries can access scientific and technology information held in the developed countries.     

The Web of Life: Natural Science Information on the Internet

Summary

As society has come to equate economic prosperity with the health of our living resources, national science policy has called for the development of a comprehensive digital knowledge base to support informed decision making and wise resource management. The Internet and World Wide Web demonstrate the earliest stages of this evolving virtual library of the natural world, offering an increasing array of high-quality, innovative resources and services in the natural science arena. This article discusses the leading providers of natural science information on the Internet and highlights some of the exemplary resources they are delivering online. The discussion concludes with a brief discussion of the role of the librarian in developing the Web of natural science knowledge online and provides a short Webliography of starting points for further exploration of this subject area.     

OpenAthens odyssey: challenges of implementing federated authentication for a multi-institutional user population

Background:The Texas Medical Center (TMC) is home to one of the world''s largest cohorts of faculty, students, researchers, and clinicians who rely on seamless and immediate access to digital biomedical and health resources. This group is served by the TMC Library, with a collection that includes over 380,000 ebooks and 59,000 ejournals. In 2018, the TMC Library implemented OpenAthens, a federated authentication system to replace a locally hosted instance of EZproxy.Case Presentation:The TMC Library is unique in its multi-institutional user population, which presents distinct challenges in adopting a single sign-on authentication system. Our project involved OpenAthens technical support, information technology teams from six academic institutions, and over thirty publishers. Implementation included the creation of an OpenAthens parent account, an active user directory, a resource catalog, and installation of our OpenAthens credentials at each publisher site. Because the TMC Library serves multiple institutions, OpenAthens built a custom login page and a portal to support both single sign-on and a generic username and password option. This case report discusses the reasons why OpenAthens was chosen, the preparation methods for implementation, the various challenges encountered and resolved, and recommendations for other health sciences libraries considering this system.Conclusions:The OpenAthens system provides important benefits: granular usage reports, single sign-on access, and data to negotiate reduced pricing for online resources. With prior knowledge and preparation, health sciences libraries can successfully implement OpenAthens with customizations tailored to their specific resources and user population.     

Academic libraries as active contributors to student wellness

Abstract

Colleges and universities have come to realize that student wellness is a factor in student retention and success. While academic libraries have not generally been included in wellness initiatives they are strategically placed on college campuses to play an essential role. By parlaying their reputations as trusted information providers and community centers, academic libraries can partner with more traditional campus health providers to be active and effective participants in this essential form of outreach.