Beyond online: primary research as a value-added service

Information specialists should provide a value-added service by supplementing their online searches with primary research. Primary research results in more up-to-date information from a broader spectrum of sources. The requester benefits from primary research by receiving a cost-effective and more comprehensive information package. The information professional benefits by acquiring a more in-depth knowledge of the subject, increasing awareness of important projects within the organization, and achieving recognition as a key information analyst.     

Hospital and corporate information services: introducing a new column

Successful hospital and corporate libraries offer customized resources and services to meet the needs of their dynamic organizations. Concepts such as customer-driven, service-oriented and value-added are central to these libraries. Serving decision makers and integrating the library into the decision-making process of the organization is critical. Future articles in this new column will further explore the underlying philosophies and the specialized resources and services that characterize these libraries.     

Exporting the American (information) revolution: the international impact of the National Library of Medicine

The National Library of Medicine has had an enormous impact on health information services all over the world. Although NLM is primarily a national institution, it has become an important international resource by responding to requests from the international community. NLM has been influential in three major ways. First, NLM has provided a model for other national and regional health information services. Second, it has been a catalyst, in that MEDLARS and other services it provides formed the nucleus of many regional networks. NLM helped such networks get started by giving advice on how to set up services and build collections and by "training the trainers" on the MEDLARS system. Third, NLM has supported national and regional operations by providing the additional training and materials needed for day-to-day service.     

Journals as a support to health management in Europe: an initial approach to a ‘core list’

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Review of criteria used to measure library effectiveness

This article reports the results of a survey of literature on measures of library effectiveness. This survey led to the formulation of six criterion concepts (accessibility, cost, user satisfaction, response time, cost/benefit ratio, and use). The advantages and disadvantages of each method of measurement are discussed. Several points which became clear during the analysis are discussed. First, there is a relative lack of concern with the rationale behind the evaluation process, although the results invariably lead to a confused interpretation when there is no clear understanding of the purpose of an evaluation. Second, the total library system is rarely considered; instead, each evaluation criterion is taken in isolation rather than as part of the whole. Third, the library's preservation function has not been considered at all.