Integrating e-collections following the merger of two specialist hospital libraries: a case study.

BACKGROUND: Birmingham Women's and Children's NHS Foundation Trust was formed in February 2017 following an acquisition. The Library and Knowledge Services (LKS) merged while operating across two hospital sites. A priority for the merged Library and Knowledge Service was to integrate e-collections. A literature review identified six papers reporting health libraries that had merged and integrated e-collections. OBJECTIVES: A priority for the merged Library and Knowledge Service was to integrate e-collections. METHODS: To ensure equitable and cost-effective access to an extended collection, an audit of pre-existing e-collections was conducted. Electronic licence agreements enabling cross-site access were negotiated. A new OpenAthens ID was created. RESULTS: The integration of e-collections enabled Trust staff access to a greater number of e-journals and additional e-content, and an overall cost-saving was achieved. DISCUSSION: This case study supports existing literature stating that integrating collections increases the number of e-journals. It further identifies cost-difference in acquiring cross-site access to e-journals compared to databases providing full-text e-journals and additional e-content. CONCLUSION: Integrating e-collections enables equity of access and value. A national co-ordinated approach to procurement of e-collections will further support equity and best value throughout NHS LKS.

A clinical librarian in a hospital critical care unit may generate a positive return on investment.

BACKGROUND: Timely information provided by clinical librarians can contribute to outcomes such as improved patient care and time savings for hospital staff. What is unknown is the return on investment (ROI) of a clinical librarian on a critical care unit. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the ROI, from the employer perspective, of placing a clinical librarian in a critical care unit in a large UK acute hospital. METHODS: Using a mixed methods approach, ROI was estimated by comparing the total costs with the total monetised benefits of implementing the clinical librarian intervention. Total costs included salary and equipment costs. Total monetised benefits included time saving for hospital staff, support for professional development and improved patient care. RESULTS: When total monetised benefits were compared with total costs, the 15-month clinical librarian intervention generated a positive ROI of £1.18-£3.03 for every £1 invested. DISCUSSION: Using outcome measures derived from previous research, this novel study generated promising results indicative for commissioners seeking to improve patient care and deliver value for money. To improve generalisability, multisite studies using standardised ROI tools are recommended. CONCLUSION: Employing a clinical librarian in a critical care unit can generate a positive ROI.

Health information professionals: delivering core services and value in extraordinary times.

The 2020 virtual issue of the Health Information and Libraries Journal (HILJ) is published to link to the CILIP Health Libraries Group Conference which was to take place in Scotland 22-25th July. Whilst the conference was postponed in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, its themes of (i) Working in Partnership; (ii) Resilience and Well-being; (iii) Public and Patient involvement; (iv) Quality Impact and Metrics; and (v) Improvement and Innovation have nevertheless provided the basis on which to compile this virtual issue. Overarching these themes is a core value of the HIL profession, to provide relevant, timely and sustainable information services, and the articles selected from HILJ (2018 through to March 2020) contribute to the aim of meeting and going beyond these goals under the conference banner of 'not your average day in the office'. The virtual issue mirrors the format of a regular issue of HILJ, a review article, four original articles and three from our regular features: 'Dissertations into Practice', 'International Perspectives and Initiatives' and 'Teaching and Learning in Action'. The authors come from Canada, China, Croatia, Sweden and the UK. All articles included in this issue are available online.

Medical academic libraries in Romania - breaking with the past and turning towards the future.

This article is part of a series in this regular feature which looks at new directions in health science libraries. This article provides an updated overview of medical libraries in Romania, with a focus on the academic libraries which function under the patronage of medical schools. Information was collected through a survey questionnaire sent out to Romanian academic medical libraries in March 2017. The responses provide an overall picture of the state of Romanian medical libraries, highlighting the main trends and areas in which progress is evident, as well as the problems confronting these libraries. J.M.

Trend analysis of journal metrics: a new academic library service?

OBJECTIVE: Temporal trends in source normalized impact per paper (SNIP) values for the three top-ranking nursing journals were analyzed and compared to explore whether predicting future SNIP values based on trend analysis could be an innovative service provided by librarians. METHODS: The International Journal of Nursing Studies, Journal of Nursing Scholarship, and Journal of Advanced Nursing were the three top-ranked nursing journals according to 2015 SNIP values. SNIP values for the selected journals were retrieved from the Scopus database, and extracted data were exported to Joinpoint trend analysis software to perform trend analysis. RESULTS: The trend in SNIP values for the International Journal of Nursing Studies was the most stable and positive, whereas the trend in SNIP values for the Journal of Advanced Nursing was the most negative. The annual percentage change of the most recent trend line, which is the best indicator for predicting future SNIP values, was the largest for the International Journal of Nursing Studies. CONCLUSIONS: Predictions of journal metrics based on statistical joinpoint regression may not be completely accurate. Using this technique, however, a librarian can reasonably claim which journal will retain or even improve its prestige in the future and thus safely advise prospective authors on where to publish their research.

Rapid transformation of two libraries using Kotter's Eight Steps of Change.

BACKGROUND: Two new directors were each charged by their institutions to catalyze transformational change in their libraries and to develop dynamic and evolving information ecosystems ready for the information challenges of the future. The directors approached this transformational change using a strategic, forward-looking approach. RESULTS: This paper presents examples of actions that served as catalysts for change at the two libraries using Kotter's Eight Steps of Change as a framework. Small and large changes are critical for successfully transforming library services, resources, and personnel. CONCLUSIONS: Libraries are faced with incredible pressure to adapt to meet emerging and intensifying information needs on today's academic medical campuses. These pressures offer an opportunity for libraries to accelerate their evolution at the micro and macro levels. This commentary reports the expansion of new services and areas of support, enhancement of professional visibility of the libraries on their campuses, and overall, a more positive and productive environment at the respective institutions.

Pivoting: leveraging opportunities in a turbulent health care environment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this lecture is to challenge librarians in clinical settings to leverage the opportunities presented by the current health care environment and to develop collaborative relationships with health care practitioners to provide relevant services. DISCUSSION: Health care organizations are under financial and regulatory pressures, and many hospital librarians have been downsized or have had their positions eliminated. The lecture briefly reviews hospital librarians' roles in the past but focuses primarily on our current challenges. This environment requires librarians to be opportunity focused and pivot to a new vision that directs their actions. Many librarians are already doing this, and colleagues are encouraging us to embrace these opportunities. Evidence from publications, websites, discussion lists, personal communications, and the author's experience is explored. CONCLUSION: Developing interdisciplinary and collaborative relationships in our institutions and providing relevant services will mark our progress as vital, contributing members of our health care organizations.

International trends in health science librarianship: part 4--four Southern European countries.

This is the fourth in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in four Southern European countries in the first decade of the 21st century. The invited authors are from Greece, Italy, Spain and Portugal. Future issues will track trends in Latin America and Central Europe.

Diseño de servicio de lecturas complementarias para estudiantes del primer año de medicina / Design of complementary reading service for students of the first year of medicine

Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo a partir del cual se diseñó una propuesta de servicio de lecturas complementarias sobre temas científicos denominado MEDILEC para los estudiantes del primer año de Medicina de la universalización del Policlínico Universitario Norte Morón debido a las necesidades de información de este segmento de usuarios reales. Este servicio fue una alternativa docente de preparación del estudiante de Medicina para su posterior atención médica integral a la familia y para el uso de los fondos automatizados del Centro de Información. Se describieron las variables a aplicar para la identificación de las necesidades de información de los estudiantes y los pasos del diseño del servicio de lecturas complementarias. Se establecieron los elementos a controlar y la promoción a través de una página web como vía que facilitó el acceso a los productos y servicios. Se determinaron los canales de retroalimentación. De la propuesta de diseño, fueron beneficiados los estudiantes en la medida que consultaron información actualizada, confiable y de acceso rápido que favoreció el proceso docente-educativo y logró habilidades en el uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones.

A descriptive observacional study was carried out from which a proposal of complementary reading service on scientific subjects denominated MEDILEC was designed for the students of the first year of Medicine of the universalisation, North Morón University Policlinic due to the needs of information of this segment of real users. This service was an educational alternative of preparation of the Medicine students for their later integral medical attention to the family and for the use of the automated data of the Information Center. The variables applied to identify the needs of information of the students and the steps for the design of the complementary reading service were described. The elements to control and the promotion through a web page were established as a way to facilitate the access to products and services. The feedback channels were determined. From the design proposal, students were benefited, insofar as they consulted up-to-date, reliable and quick access data that favoured the teaching-learning process and obtaining abilities in the use of the new technologies of information and communications.

Diseño de servicio de lecturas complementarias para estudiantes del primer año de Medicina / Design of complementary reading service for students of the first year of Medicine

Se realizó un estudio observacional descriptivo a partir del cual se diseñó una propuesta de servicio de lecturas complementarias sobre temas científicos denominado MEDILEC para los estudiantes del primer año de Medicina de la universalización del Policlínico Universitario Norte Morón debido a las necesidades de información de este segmento de usuarios reales. Este servicio fue una alternativa docente de preparación del estudiante de Medicina para su posterior atención médica integral a la familia y para el uso de los fondos automatizados del Centro de Información. Se describieron las variables a aplicar para la identificación de las necesidades de información de los estudiantes y los pasos del diseño del servicio de lecturas complementarias. Se establecieron los elementos a controlar y la promoción a través de una página web como vía que facilitó el acceso a los productos y servicios. Se determinaron los canales de retroalimentación. De la propuesta de diseño, fueron beneficiados los estudiantes en la medida que consultaron información actualizada, confiable y de acceso rápido que favoreció el proceso docente-educativo y logró habilidades en el uso de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y las comunicaciones(AU)

A descriptive observacional study was carried out from which a proposal of complementary reading service on scientific subjects denominated MEDILEC was designed for the students of the first year of Medicine of the universalisation, North Morón University Policlinic due to the needs of information of this segment of real users. This service was an educational alternative of preparation of the Medicine students for their later integral medical attention to the family and for the use of the automated data of the Information Center. The variables applied to identify the needs of information of the students and the steps for the design of the complementary reading service were described. The elements to control and the promotion through a webpage were established as a way to facilitate the access to products and services. The feedback channels were determined. From the design proposal, students were benefited, insofar as they consulted up-to-date, reliable and quick access data that favoured the teaching-learning process and obtaining abilities in the use of the new technologies of information and communications(AU)

Trends in hospital librarianship and hospital library services: 1989 to 2006.

OBJECTIVE: The research studied the status of hospital librarians and library services to better inform the Medical Library Association's advocacy activities. METHODS: The Vital Pathways Survey Subcommittee of the Task Force on Vital Pathways for Hospital Librarians distributed a web-based survey to hospital librarians and academic health sciences library directors. The survey results were compared to data collected in a 1989 survey of hospital libraries by the American Hospital Association in order to identify any trends in hospital libraries, roles of librarians, and library services. A web-based hospital library report form based on the survey questions was also developed to more quickly identify changes in the status of hospital libraries on an ongoing basis. RESULTS: The greatest change in library services between 1989 and 2005/06 was in the area of access to information, with 40% more of the respondents providing access to commercial online services, 100% more providing access to Internet resources, and 28% more providing training in database searching and use of information resources. Twenty-nine percent (n = 587) of the 2005/06 respondents reported a decrease in staff over the last 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: Survey data support reported trends of consolidation of hospitals and hospital libraries and additions of new services. These services have likely required librarians to acquire new skills. It is hoped that future surveys will be undertaken to continue to study these trends.

Vital pathways for hospital librarians: present and future roles.

OBJECTIVES: The research objectives were to (1) describe the current and future roles of hospital librarians and the challenges they face and (2) find evidence supporting the hypothesis that librarians are essential to hospitals in achieving the organizations' mission-critical goals. METHOD: The authors used results from a previous research study that identified the five organizational mission-critical goals important to hospital administrators and then searched the literature and solicited examples from hospital librarians to describe the librarian's role in helping hospitals achieve these goals. RESULTS: The literature supports the hypothesis that hospital librarians play important roles in the success of the hospital. Librarians support quality clinical care, efficient and effective hospital operations, continuing education for staff, research and innovation, and patient, family, and community health information needs. CONCLUSION: Hospital librarians fulfill many mission-critical roles in today's hospital, providing the right information at the right time in a variety of ways to enhance hospital and medical staff effectiveness, optimize patient care, improve patient outcomes, and increase patient and family satisfaction with the hospital and its services. Because hospital librarians and their services provide an excellent return on investment for the hospital and help the hospital keep its competitive edge, hospital staff should have access to the services of a professional librarian.

The necessity of measurement.

Measurement of library systems and services is a multidimensional management task. New paradigms of library service and the context in which libraries operate have made it necessary for librarians to find new measures while at the same time keeping the old. Factors that can be measured, such as needs, inputs, quality processes, outputs, quality of service, outcomes, and impacts, are described. This bibliographic essay covers the current trends while leading readers to resources where they can learn more.

Revolution at the library service desk.

This article will describe how a revolution in customer service provision beginning in 2002 has led to an evolution of library services. When the reference and circulation desks were merged to create a single service point, responsibilities were broadened, core competencies were developed, and staff members were cross trained. In 2005, an analysis of staffing and work patterns demonstrated a need to build upon the original model to better utilize staff and ensure coverage of the desk. Reference librarians were moved to "on call" status, technical services staff were added to the schedule, and core competencies and procedures were refined.