Circulation policies in health science libraries

There is general agreement that library policies have considerable influence on the use of libraries. Medical school (health science) libraries of this country were surveyed as to their policies in respect to whether faculty and student use were regulated by a single policy, circulation regulations, hours library was accessible to users, accessibility of reserve material, interlibrary loan, policy on overdue material, and exit control.THE LIBRARIES WERE THEN DIVIDED INTO THREE GROUPS, HIGH, MIDDLE, AND LOW ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS: size of student body, size of faculty, size of holdings, size of library staff, annual budget, and annual circulation.Our findings would indicate that schools falling in a high category based upon these criteria tend to be more restrictive in their policies and to have different regulations for faculty and students than do schools in the low category.These findings warrant further study.     

International trends in health science librarianship part 17: a comparison of health science libraries with academic and research libraries

Over the last 4 years this Regular Feature has looked at trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. Although there are still a few more regions to be covered in this series, this issue explores general trends in academic and research libraries with a view to discovering whether the trends identified for health science libraries are similar. Are health science libraries unique? Or do their experiences mirror those found in the wider world of academic and research libraries? JM     

Introduction to statistical surveys of health science libraries

The series of studies by the Committee on Surveys and Statistics of MLA presents the first comprehensive statistical picture of American health science libraries. These studies fill a serious information gap, and constitute a solid base for both present planning and historical record.     

Digital reference service: trends in academic health science libraries

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.     

Collection overlap in hospital health sciences libraries: a case study

Given similar demographics (age, size, and user population), to what extent do community hospital libraries differ in collection content? It is sometimes assumed that hospital libraries are relatively homogeneous and therefore subject to standardized procedures and collection development guides. This study compares the holdings of two community hospital libraries in Illinois to determine similarities and differences.     

The status of women in the administration of health science libraries.

Results of a survey of large health science libraries in the United States demonstrate that the relative position of men and women in administration is comparable to that prevalent in other types of libraries. Medical school and the largest libraries are the most likely to be administered by men. The percentage of women who are directors of large biomedical libraries has declined radically since 1950. The statistics presented here will serve as a base for assessing future change.     

Using technology to promote the development of health science libraries in China

From the point of view of the development of libraries, technology has made possible the emergence and development of library automation; digital libraries; mobile libraries; and smart libraries. This article briefly describes the impact of technological developments and application in Health Science Libraries in China in relation to collections development, service provision and the role of library associations.     

Budgeting for hospital libraries

Budgeting is a responsibility faced by all hospital librarians. Hospital administrators expect the librarian to present a financial plan for the year ahead. The budget must predict expenditures for personnel, library materials, purchased services, and equipment. The current and previous year's financial outlay should be coordinated with the budget year. To present a budget effectively, a librarian must relate financial requirements to goals of the institution of which the library is a part.     

Marketing and health libraries

AIM: To present an overview of the concepts of marketing and to examine ways in which they can be applied to health libraries. METHODS: A review was carried out of literature relating to health libraries using LISA, CINAHL, BNI and Google. RESULTS: Marketing is seen as a strategic management activity aimed at developing customer relationships. Concepts such as the 'four Ps' (product, price, place and promotion), marketing plans, the marketing mix, segmentation, promotion and evaluation are identified and discussed in relation to health libraries. CONCLUSION: In increasingly complex health service and information environments, the marketing and promotion of library services is becoming more important if those services are to justify the resources given to them. Marketing techniques are equally applicable to physical and digital library services.     

Integrated information management and hospital libraries

It is demonstrated that hospitals are information-dependent and that there is need for integration of information generated and gathered through their subsystems. This paper discusses recommendations of the Matheson Report for an integrated information management system which would link these subsystems. The library's statement of mission, means for self-assessment, and analysis of information needs and uses are explored. Future directions with examples of new roles for the library are outlined.     

医院图书馆学科化服务

通过阐述学科化服务的内涵及特点,从学科资源建设、学科服务机制、学科服务内容、学科队伍建设等方面,结合医院实际提出了医院图书馆学科化服务模式。     

创建节约型医院图书馆

分析了创建节约型医院图书馆的必要性,提出了创建节约型医院图书的主要措施及应该注意的问题。     

Work/training programs for international health science librarians in American medical school libraries

World understanding is more than a desirable goal today: it may be crucial to our survival. Many universities realize this and have in the past decade spent a great deal of time and money to ensure a steady flow of faculty and students between the U.S. and other countries. Librarians with faculty or academic status may benefit from promoting such relationships themselves. Job exchanges and training programs offer librarians in the United States the opportunity to become acquainted with their counterparts in other countries. Such programs enable librarians of various countries to become aware of one another's special needs and common problems, and allow them to share ideas and expertise. This paper presents an overview of international training programs for foreign librarians in the United States, focusing on programs for health sciences librarians in United States medical school libraries. Information is given on the availability and types of institutionally sponsored programs, as well as on MLA's Cunningham Fellowship Program. Some of the difficulties and the benefits of such programs are discussed.