A library-based bioinformatics services program

Support for molecular biology researchers has been limited to traditional library resources and services in most academic health sciences libraries. The University of Washington Health Sciences Libraries have been providing specialized services to this user community since 1995. The library recruited a Ph.D. biologist to assess the molecular biological information needs of researchers and design strategies to enhance library resources and services. A survey of laboratory research groups identified areas of greatest need and led to the development of a three-pronged program: consultation, education, and resource development. Outcomes of this program include bioinformatics consultation services, library-based and graduate level courses, networking of sequence analysis tools, and a biological research Web site. Bioinformatics clients are drawn from diverse departments and include clinical researchers in need of tools that are not readily available outside of basic sciences laboratories. Evaluation and usage statistics indicate that researchers, regardless of departmental affiliation or position, require support to access molecular biology and genetics resources. Centralizing such services in the library is a natural synergy of interests and enhances the provision of traditional library resources. Successful implementation of a library-based bioinformatics program requires both subject-specific and library and information technology expertise.     

The librarian's roles in the systematic review process: a case study.

QUESTION/SETTING: Although the systematic review has become a research standard, little information addresses the actions of the librarian on a systematic review team. METHOD: This article is an observational case study that chronicles a librarian's required involvement, skills, and responsibilities in each stage of a real-life systematic review. MAIN RESULTS: Examining the review process reveals that the librarian's multiple roles as an expert searcher, organizer, and analyzer form an integral part of the Cochrane Collaboration's criteria for conducting systematic reviews. Moreover, the responsibilities of the expert searcher directly reflect the key skills and knowledge depicted in the "Definition of Expert Searching" section of the Medical Library Association's policy statement, "Role of Expert Searching in Health Sciences Libraries." CONCLUSION: Although the librarian's multiple roles are important in all forms of medical research, they are crucial in a systematic review. As an expert searcher, the librarian must interact with the investigators to develop the terms required for a comprehensive search strategy in multiple appropriate sources. As an organizer and analyzer, the librarian must effectively manage the articles and document the search, retrieval, and archival processes.     

The Mobile Reference Service: a case study of an onsite reference service program at the school of public health

The School of Public Health at Saint Louis University is located at a greater distance from the library than other programs on the main medical center campus. Physical distance diminishes the ease of access to direct reference services for public health users. To bridge the gap, the library developed the Mobile Reference Service to deliver onsite information assistance with regular office hours each week. Between September 2006 and April 2007, a total of 57 in-depth reference transactions took place over 25 weeks, averaging 2 transactions per week in a 2-hour period. Overall reference transactions from public health users went up 28%, while liaison contacts with public health users doubled compared to the same period the year before. The Mobile Reference Service program has improved library support for research and scholarship, cultivated and strengthened liaison relationships, and enhanced marketing and delivery of library resources and services to the Saint Louis University School of Public Health.     

Quality reference service: A preliminary case study

A general reference department achieved a high score on the Wisconsin-Ohio Reference Evaluation Program. Intensive use of electronic resources, a good reference collection, good architecture, administrative support, and, most importantly, adequate time provided by the consultation model contributed, in this case, to high-quality service.     

The mini MEDLINE SYSTEM: a library-based end-user search system

The mini MEDLINE SYSTEM, a user-friendly search system developed in 1981 at the Georgetown University Medical Center, has been operational since 1982. The system is designed to meet the immediate educational and clinical information needs of students, residents, and faculty. This article focuses on system planning and design, database creation through "downloading," hardware adaptation, and system use. The database is a subset of the NLM's MEDLINE file; it includes over 180,000 citations to articles indexed in over 160 journals from 1982 to the present. With only a few keystrokes in a two-step process it allows users to conduct bibliographic searches. The system is being replicated at eight other medical libraries.     

The hospital library online--a point of service for consumers and hospital staff: a case study.

The Health Library at Stanford University is described in the context of electronic information services provided to Stanford University Medical Center, the local community, and Internet users in general. The evolution from CD-ROM-based services to Web-based services and in-library services to networked resources are described. Electronic services have expanded the mission of The Health Library to include national and international users and the provision of unique services and collections.     

E-government evaluation: a framework and case study

The importance of measuring the performance of e-government cannot be overemphasized. In this paper, a flexible framework is suggested to choose an appropriate strategy to measure the tangible and intangible benefits of e-government. An Indian case study of NDMC (New Delhi Municipal Corporation) has been taken up for analysis and placement into the framework. The results obtained suggest that to have a proper evaluation of tangible and intangible benefits of e-government, the projects should be in a mature stage with proper information systems in place. All of the e-government projects in India are still in a nascent stage; hence, proper information flow for calculating ‘return on e-government’ considering tangible and intangible benefits cannot be fully ascertained.     

The impact of leadership and stakeholders on the success/failure of e-government service: Using the case study of e-stamping service in Hong Kong

Using e-stamping service in Hong Kong as a case study, this paper examines the impact of leadership and stakeholders on the success or failure of e-government service in Hong Kong. Multiple methods are used for data collection: documents and archival record research, direct observation, and interviews. Results show that both leadership and stakeholders have an impact on the success of e-stamping service.     

The librarian as research informationist: a case study

Question:

How can an embedded research informationist add value to the scientific output of research teams?

Setting:

The University of California–Los Angeles (UCLA) Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library is an academic health sciences library serving the clinical, educational, and research needs of the UCLA community.

Methods:

A grant from the National Library of Medicine funded a librarian to join a UCLA research team as an informationist. The informationist meets regularly with the research team and provides guidance related to data management, preservation, and other information-related issues.

Main Results:

Early results suggest that the informationist''s involvement has influenced the team''s data gathering, storage, and curation methods. The UCLA Library has also changed the librarian''s title to research informationist to reflect the new activities that she performs.

Conclusion:

The research informationist role provides an opportunity for librarians to become effective members of research teams and improve research output.     

Fund raising for libraries: a case study*

相似文献   

Stranger in a Strange Land: A Non-Librarian Expanding Library Collections

This article examines the challenge of creating a collection development policy for a century old historical library which in the last decade was rebranded as a Presidential Library.