Abstract: Ritchie, Kathryn The Western Health Library Service undertook a usability study of its intranet site to determine users' habits and capacity in finding information. This follows an earlier usability study in 2014 that prompted significant changes to the site. The library service plays a critical role in providing access to the most relevant and current information to support medical, allied, and nursing staff. The changes to the intranet were designed to facilitate this, so content from the intranet could be retrieved quickly and efficiently. The most recent usability study aimed to discover how the functionality of the site was used, how users navigated it, and whether further changes needed to be made to improve its performance. Valuable feedback was retrieved during the testing process that has enabled the library to understand users' behaviour, and to implement further enhancements to aid searching and discovery.
Abstract: McCafferty, Maggie GratisNet is a dynamic collaborative network of health libraries from around Australia, which facilitates interlibrary lending at low cost to member libraries, ensuring that resources are utilised and the load is shared. Governance is through a national committee of state representatives, who ensure the GratisNet website and database is kept useful and relevant for member libraries.
Abstract: Cullis, Jeremy; Nichols-Boyd, Mina; Auld, Yvonne; Dempster, Natalie; Freeman, Cassandra; May, Nikki; Chang, Steven; van Balen, Jane; Thorning, Sarah; Romic, Jasna; Day, Susan; Whyte, Tracey This article is a collective reflection on the sixth Australian Evidence-Based Practice Librarians' Institute (AEBPLI), which was held in Adelaide in December 2016 at Flinders University. The event was an intensive four-day residential program, covering key topics in health librarianship such as expert searching, critical appraisal, grey literature, and search filters. Almost thirty participants from a range of institutions across the country attended the course, which included both large group lectures and small group interactive workshops.
Abstract: Foley, Laura; Prentice, John The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Library provides a full range of services and resources to anaesthetist fellows and trainees located throughout the Australia and New Zealand region, as well as to the College staff who support them. This inevitably brings with it the challenges of providing and promoting the library to nearly 7000 remote and specialist users in an almost entirely online environment.
Abstract: Kelly, Blair; Rawson, Chris; Freestone, Chrissy; Russell, Fiona Deakin University Library designed a series of six modules to provide interactive, online learning for a first year nursing unit, Understanding Research Evidence. The modules were developed in response to the changing learning requirements of students in the digital age. Delivered using Smart Sparrow software, the modules were designed to assist students in the development and consolidation of their understandings of evidence-based practice (EBP).
The development of the modules represents a shift from unilateral communication to interactive content. Previously, online support had largely consisted of static material that was not presented in the context of curriculum. The Library has now developed integrated content that allows for interactivity, but which may also be customised for other purposes or units across all health disciplines.
Feedback and data collected from the modules indicate an encouraging degree of engagement with the content. Data also allows the Library to ensure the continuous improvement of the modules. Library staff have also reported on their improved capacity and confidence in creating learning experiences that integrate core information and digital literacy competencies with students' curriculum. Staff also report improvements in their ability to use technologies to create online learning objects.
Abstract: Smyth, Wendy; Renison, Bronia; D'Arrietta, Louisa M Background: Some five years ago, the library director was a co-investigator on a collaborative research study that aimed to support nurses and midwives in rural and remote health facilities to engage with research. The intervention included delivering locally-relevant education and resources, including those usually only available in the tertiary hospital where the health library is physically located. The library staff were actively involved in designing and delivering components of that education. Over the six-month intervention period, relationships were nurtured and sustained through informal videoconference, email and telephone communication channels. An ancillary outcome of that study was the increased utilisation of library clinical information resources for by staff of the participating sites, including those not directly participating in the study.
Objective: Subsequently, the health library aimed to instigate locally-relevant strategies to increase service visibility across a very large health service in north Queensland, where the physical library space had decreased. The objective has been to transition from a 'library as a place' to a 'library as a service' model.
Method: A collaborative, consultative approach was adopted to transition to a 'library as a service' model. It was important to maximise the library's physical resources at the tertiary hospital while extending ways to connect with staff at rural and remote facilities, respond promptly to requests, and take advantage of every opportunity to boost the library's visibility. A brainstorming exercise with the library's staff, followed by a modified Delphi technique, was used to clarify how the visibility of the library service has increased over the past five years.
Results: The visibility of the library service has increased in many ways over that timeframe. Three main themes arose from the brainstorming exercise: 'interacting with patrons', 'reaching out to potential patrons', and 'increasing information literacy skills'.
Conclusions: The physical library has retained its high-visibility location and the library service has grown through developing its outreach service and links with staff at rural and remote sites. Collaborative, fully integrated librarian-nurse researcher teaching has been formalised, and informal sharing of expert knowledge has helped to increase the visibility of the library service. These successes have built upon one another; however, it remains essential to establish, grow and maintain relationships with those remote to the physical library.
Abstract: Ruddy, Christine The 2016 HLI conference 'lightning talks' provided a valuable update on activities being undertaken by libraries in the field, as well as interesting insights into various aspects of health librarianship. The talks covered a range of topics, including deals negotiated by the Victorian Health Libraries Consortium (VHLC), news from the Health Libraries Managers' Forum, what it's like to switch from a hospital library to a university library, and a great new project that demonstrates the contribution and value of libraries to their organisations.
Abstract: Schembri, Loretta This year I was lucky enough to attend the ALIA Health Libraries Australia (HLA) Professional Development Day in Sydney, supported by my relatively new workplace (The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists - ANZCA). The theme of the day, 'Innovation for enhancing library value' was of particular interest to me, given the types of projects ANZCA Library is undertaking. The benefits of seeing what fellow health library organisations are talking about, planning and achieving made this type of event accessible to everyone in the health library community.
Abstract: Taylor, Jeremy A group of Victorian health library managers gathered for a forum at the Royal Melbourne Hospital to discuss a range of topics pertinent to our practice. This report outlines the topics discussed and opens the way for further forums to be held, to tackle some of the questions raised.
Abstract: Beck-Swindale, Teresa To remain visible and indeed credible in the eyes of healthcare staff, the library manager needs to seize every opportunity to embed the library service in the workings of the hospital and the wider healthcare region. For the librarian at Buttfield Library, Burnie, Tasmania, the predicament of being relocated to temporary accommodation for three years while building development took place, prompted creative solutions to connect with staff and maintain a strong presence by participating in working groups and committees as a library promotion strategy.
Attending meetings armed with relevant resources to assist decision-making reinforces the library's role as information provider. By venturing outside the library walls and becoming involved in the business of healthcare, the health librarian can inspire the trust essential to working relationships. As a trusted collaborator, the librarian is then relied upon as an authoritative provider of information, cementing the circle of knowledge for the benefit of patients and staff.
Abstract: Edwards, Jane; Elder, Kylie Objective: To provide a mechanism for current, evidence based clinical information to be delivered to a geographically dispersed and remote nursing workforce in a timely and effective manner. Method The Libguides platform was used to develop relevant guides in a central site called the Clinical Knowledge Centre (CKC). Stakeholder meetings, workshops and expert knowledge informed the content and design of the site to ensure standardisation and relevancy of information. The project was driven by the librarian with ownership and content management of the CKC belonging to the senior clinical nurse advisors.
Results: Six individual guides were developed in the areas of Continence/Urology, Wound, Palliative Care, Medicines Management, Diabetes and Aged Care/Dementia. Clinical staff have a 'one stop shop' platform to access current, evidence based information and are more connected to clinical specialists. The introduction of Libguides as an organisational resource raised the profile of the librarian and the library service.
Conclusion: As a result of the CKC project the profile of the 'invisible' librarian has extended beyond the realm of information provision and into the core of the organisation, with a direct impact on service quality and workforce capacity. It also demonstrates that the Libguide product can be used in a clinical setting with team engagement and combined commitment to provide a mechanism to deliver clinical information to a geographically dispersed workforce.
Abstract: Ward, Jenny This presentation discusses approaches and tools to optimise the value and visibility of the library service at Women's Health Victoria - a health promotion NGO with 17.4 FTE, based in Melbourne.
Abstract: O'Sullivan, Arlene; Clements, Charlotte In our presentation we share the La Trobe University Library's perspective on the future readiness of the eBook format from both the library and the user's perspectives. Examining eBook selection and usage, the eBook publishing landscape, reports on user experience, we ask the question "When is an eBook not an eBook'" To demonstrate how eBook purchasing and use is managed at La Trobe University, we present a case study that gives a five year snapshot of eBook use on a major platform - ProQuest eBook Central. The case study looks at how eBook use is increasing, decisions regarding purchasing vs patron driven acquisition (PDA), and the future of eBook access. An overview of the recently updated ProQuest eBook Central platform is included.
Abstract: Horrigan, Di; Gatt, Cathy The aim of the Victorian Health Libraries Consortium (VHLC) is to represent the collective interests of member libraries in purchasing negotiations with publishers and agents, and to provide information on e-resource offers and updates to health libraries.
Abstract: Chang, Steven; Kavanagh-Ryan, Kit Rock star librarian, David Lankes, delivered a rousing, almost evangelical keynote to kick off VALA 2016 with a bang through his speech 'Librarianship: Saving the World One Community at a Time' (2). The collective response to this presentation was mixed. His many supporters walked out feeling inspired by his rallying calls to globally empower grassroots communities. By contrast, skeptics brushed aside the torrent of gushing #VALA16 tweets and dismissed his keynote as starry-eyed idealism.
Abstract: Howard, Sarah A liaison librarian's career can be very exciting. Mine certainly has been. Over the past nine years, my journey at QUT has involved liaising with academics and professional staff from Theology, Philosophy, Psychology, and Education, through to the QUT International College. In early 2016, a new adventure began for me as I stepped into the role of QUT Liaison Librarian for the School of Nursing and the School Optometry and Vision Science. Health is an area in which I have some knowledge and experience. I quickly learned, however, that I needed to further build upon these skills. My manager suggested I apply for the QUT Health Librarianship Essentials short course as part of my professional development plan. I did, and I am very grateful for it.
Abstract: Chang, Steven Can you tell us about your journey in becoming an IT/systems-centric librarian'
I managed to take the long way around to becoming a Systems Librarian. I had always been a computer geek, but my original interest was in the medical field as a radiographer. There were very few places at RMIT, so I ended up in applied physics instead. Unfortunately, or perhaps fortunately, I discovered two things while studying physics: 1) I was terrible at high-level mathematics, 2) Socialising at university was so much more fun than attending lectures. Needless to say, I did not stay long at RMIT.
Abstract: Voutier, Catherine It's been a while since I attended Teaching Evidence-Based Medicine (TEBM), but I still think about the experience and what I learnt.
Abstract: Delafosse, Veronica This article aims to identify issues leading up to and following on from the Regional Medical Library Service (1976-1987) and acknowledge our colleagues who volunteered their time and resources to enhance the professionalism of health libraries across Victoria.
Abstract: Wishart, Jo Even if you know a search interface well, there's almost always something new you can learn from an expert. And if you don't learn anything new, it can still be reassuring to confirm you're doing things right. On a rainy Friday afternoon, speakers Allan Finn (Senior Training Manager) and James Taylor (Manager Sales Engineering and Training) demonstrated their knowledge of Ovid functionalities and shared an assortment of tips for 'doing things right' in terms of structured searching and search filters.
Abstract: Baxter, Helen A Health Libraries Australia (HLA) professional development workshop was held on Wednesday 1 April 2015, presented by Julie Glanville, Associate Director of York Health Economics Consortium in the UK.
Abstract: Taylor, Jeremy The Victorian Health Libraries Consortium (VHLC) was formed in 2004 by Stephen Due (former Chief Librarian, Barwon Health Library Service, now retired) and others, after continuation of the Clinicians Health Channel (CHC) - an online health information portal provided to public sector health professionals by the Victorian Department of Health - was threatened. The Clinicians Health Channel survived, and the VHLC thrived, offering package deals to Victorian health libraries for online journals and databases not covered by the CHC.
Abstract: Siemensma, Gemma In early July 2015 I headed to sunny Queensland with assistance from the Pat Nakouz Award from Health Libraries Inc. to attend the 8th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference (EBLIP8). The EBLIP conference is a biennial event that aims to promote the use of the best available evidence in practices and processes particular to the library and information profession. Everything at the conference centred on 'evidence'. EBLIP define evidence as something that may include a diverse range of legitimate sources that librarians use in their decision‐making processes, including quantitative and qualitative research, publications, locally collected statistics, open‐access data and 'soft' sources, such as accumulated knowledge, opinion, instinct and relationships. For me, the most interesting papers were those that centred on the health field and those with a direct link to the daily work we undertake.
Abstract: Cotsell, Rhonda Recently, library staff at Ballarat Health Services (BHS), each with differing levels of familiarity and skill, were provided an iPad with which to familiarise themselves within the context of library tasks and responsibilities. This included assisting BHS staff and students to load and utilise apps available through the Clinicians Health Channel (CHC), and also introducing them to the newly acquired BrowZine app, which enables users to access and manipulate library‐subscribed journals on their mobile devices. I had no experience at all with using a tablet and the following is a record of my journey.
Abstract: Callinan, Margaret I tried to remember how many years I'd been using Subito document supply service as part of my DocDel work. I think it might be about ten! So when I booked my 'Last Hurrah' tour before retirement took effect, and it worked out that Vienna was on my itinerary, I asked document delivery officer, Andrea Straub, at the Vienna University of Medicine Library if I could see Subito from the other side.
Abstract: Holgate, John; Schafer, Rolf Some twenty‐five New South Wales health library managers took part in a lively Think Tank at St George Hospital on February 6th. It was an opportunity for an exchange of ideas as well as for interpersonal networking and conviviality. A combination of breakout groups and plenary sessions explored the key areas of health library practice. There were also representatives from Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland, who helped provide a national perspective.
Abstract: Chang, Steven BrowZine is a timely arrival for health libraries eager to maximise exposure to their valuable e‐Journal subscriptions. Providing access to these collections on mobile and tablet devices is paramount in a rapidly evolving age of 'knowledge and learning on the go', particularly for a client‐base that includes busy clinical staff.
Abstract: Siemensma, Gemma The 12th Health Libraries Inc. conference started with clinical keynote presenter Associate Professor Peter Morley from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. This was a fabulous way to begin the conference as it helped to reinforce and focus the audience on 'why we do what we do'. Health libraries, though similar to other libraries in many aspects, are unique and special in their own way. Daily, those of us who work in libraries such as ones found in hospitals are ensuring that the services we provide are targeted, and the best available resources and evidence are available to clinicians to use seamlessly at the point of care.
Abstract: Baxter, Helen Every moment of clinical care prompts questions about diagnosis, causality, treatment plans or medication, to name a few. From supplying immediate evidence at the bedside in the intensive care unit, through to searches that support workplace reform, major purchasing decisions for hospital equipment or clinical safety and risk projects - the 'free range' clinical librarian has a crucial role to 'build and walk' the bridge between the evidence to be found in health literature and those seeking the answers. The presence of a clinical librarian in the hospital setting is not new and has been discussed in the academic literature since these roles were first established in the 1970s (6). Although Austin Health is a long‐established institution in Melbourne's north‐east, the clinical librarian role has only been a feature of our library service for approximately 12 months. In this formative phase, breaking out of the shell of more established models of librarianship has been exciting, and has also taught us some valuable lessons. Mobility and flexibility are the keys to delivering clinical information to support clinicians and frontline health practitioners. Creating tailored education and training programs serves to build the capacity of the organisation by equipping staff and students to be self‐sufficient in accessing evidence. A clinical librarian who is not confined to the four walls of the library is a key part of the library being seen, and heard, and utilised.
Abstract: Romey, Glenda; Celeste, Tania During early 2015, the University of Melbourne library initiated a staff development program to build librarians' skills and competencies in the provision of digital literacy to support teaching and learning programs. The teaching and learning librarians from the biosciences team harnessed this opportunity to develop an online teaching tool dedicated to evidence‐based practice (EBP) within the context of information literacy.
Abstract: Romero, Lorena The systematic review has become a standard research process in the health sciences and is also infiltrating into other subject areas. It is an essential tool that underpins the synthesis of medical literature for informed decision‐making. The systematic review requires explicit and systematic methods that can be reproduced by others. It uses a scientific methodology that is designed to remove bias and comprehensively identify, appraise and synthesise relevant literature (1).
Abstract: Ware, Jessica I wish to thank the Health Libraries Inc. committee members for allowing me the opportunity to attend this year's Health Libraries Inc. Conference at the State Library of Victoria, Friday October 23, 2015. As a recent library graduate, here is what I have learned from my attendance at the conference.
Abstract: Chang, Steven Innovative changes are afoot in the world of evidence synthesis. These changes are being prompted by a raft of challenges in the production and discovery of evidence. Health librarians have a key role to play in ensuring the integrity of systematic reviews by developing, testing, and validating rigorous search strategies for these reviews. As Cochrane is the world's largest producer of systematic reviews, health information professionals need to stay abreast of the significant changes unfolding there. Steve McDonald, co‐director of the Australasian Cochrane Centre, spoke at the 12th Health Libraries Inc. conference to address the rapidly shifting state of play in the evidence ecosystem.
Abstract: Monaghan, Susan The Health Sciences Library conducts organised training for clinical staff on a regular basis. A review of statistics indicates a steady increase in Library Resources Training attendance, from around 200 staff per year in 2001, to approximately 600 staff per year in 2013. This has remained fairly steady since 2007. A similar, steady increase is also observed for one-on-one consultations with the Clinical Librarian, and now averages around 100 per year.
Abstract: Siemensma, Gemma Ballarat Health Services (BHS) is the major hospital for western Victoria. Located an hour west of Melbourne it is the principal referral centre for the Grampians region, which extends from Bacchus Marsh to the South Australian border, covering a catchment of 48,000 square kilometres, and providing services to almost 250,000 people.
Abstract: Siemensma, Gemma Health Libraries Inc. (based in Victoria) and Health Libraries Australia (a national group of the Australian Library and Information Association) commissioned award-winning firm SGS Economics and Planning to survey health libraries across the nation and from this to assess the return on the annual investment in these services to their organisations.
Abstract: Wilding, Helen The role of health libraries has changed dramatically with the move to electronic resources, and with that has come a fantastic opportunity to reinvent ourselves as skilled consultants in the research environment. When electronic journals first made their appearance (and Google appeared), librarians started to look like an endangered species. Would we still be needed in a world where people can conjure up almost anything at the click of a button'
Abstract: Coulter, Duncan; Deans, Elizabeth; Callinan, Margaret; Morais, Angela GratisNet gives member libraries access to the holdings of health and health-related libraries across Australia. For a membership cost of $150 per year (in 2013), you get the real benefit of unlimited gratis articles, which would otherwise cost a minimum of $16.50 each. In addition, there are the immeasurable professional and personal benefits of networking with colleagues across Australia.
Abstract: Chang, Steven Earlier this year, Catherine Voutier delivered a nuanced, informative presentation on appraising research in healthcare, titled 'Evidence: the Importance of Hierarchies'. An engaged audience of 33 health information professionals turned up to hear the talk and participate in the subsequent discussion.
Abstract: Taylor, Jeremy In any service‐based industry, monitoring client behaviour is important to understand which services are being used and how they are being used (1, 2, 4).
Abstract: Thorncraft, Kathy In 2013/14 the Centre for Disability Research and Policy at the University of Sydney won the tender for the Audit of Disability Research in Australia. The aim was to provide a comprehensive picture of the current state of disability research in Australia that would inform and assist decision making about future funded‐research projects and initiatives. Because of the complex nature of processes involved in searching for information for the audit (which was basically a systematic review), the project had budgeted for a librarian to assist them in this. The centre approached the University of Sydney Library to second some hours for a librarian to create search strategies in consultation with the group and run them.
Abstract: McCafferty, Maggie; Hannan, Suzanne; Price, Jenny The librarians in three regional health service libraries - Albury Wodonga Health, Murrumbidgee Local Health district and Southern NSW Local Health District - in south‐western New South Wales (NSW) and north‐eastern Victoria collaborated to update their library management system (LMS) and formalise delivery of library services.
Abstract: McDonald, Daniel Collaboration occurs in embarking on novel projects, introducing innovative services, and forging new relationships. It also exists in the quotidian activities a library provides to a hospital. The library of Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service sought to capture this activity systematically and code it with hospital‐centric criteria. This context‐sensitive activity was then used to 'map' library‐mediated information across the hospital's variety of departments, services, staff and patients. Such a map is useful for depicting who uses a hospital library and for what. It also generates a shared language that is useful for assessing broader questions on why a hospital library is valuable.
Abstract: Voutier, Catherine Melbourne Health is a large metropolitan hospital system comprising the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH), NorthWestern Mental Health (NWMH) and the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory (VIDRL). The RMH Health Sciences Library services staff and affiliated students at the Royal Melbourne and Royal Women's Hospital (RWH), the VIDRL and mental health staff in the public sector across Victoria.
Abstract: Simons, Mary; Cuddy, Colleen; Yates, Christine Macquarie University Cancer Institute (MCI), located within Macquarie University's medical precinct, supports multidisciplinary healthcare services for brain, lung, breast, gastrointestinal and urological cancers. In response to a need detected by clinicians, concerned by the prospect that patients often find inaccurate internet information about their cancer, Macquarie University Library and MCI adapted core service concepts of the Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) Patient Resource Center (PRC) to create a website that provides filtered information for cancer patients and their families. This collaboration expanded to include additional staff from Macquarie University Library, medical school, MCI and Macquarie University Hospital as well as university educators and psychologists with expertise in cancer and consumer health education. The former WCMC library director was a consultant for this project.
Abstract: Chang, Steven; Tyndall, Jess A packed room of 43 health information professionals enjoyed the privilege of hearing Jess Tyndall from Flinders University on 'Health librarians and grey literature - what do we need to know'' There are many competing definitions for grey literature, but the central concept that draws them together is that grey literature is A) NOT published commercially, and B) generally difficult to find.
Abstract: Delafosse, Veronica Although we are lucky to have regular contact with library colleagues in Melbourne, it was valuable to share with and learn from interstate colleagues. Under the 'value' banner the program was split into research, marketing and advocacy themes.
Abstract: Siemensma, Gemma At Ballarat Health Services (BHS) Library we have been using QR Codes for just over a year. QR or Quick Response barcodes are 2-D tags that can hold information such as URLS, contact information, photos and more. They are read with a barcode reader on a smartphone and have become an increasingly popular way to do mobile marketing and promotion (1). They are particularly popular in retail and real estate. For example on price tags they link you to relevant consumer information and on real estate boards they may link to a video or additional photos.
Abstract: Brooker, Judy Australian Health librarians, information specialists and library technicians can now take advantage of a purpose-designed professional development program, based on an agreed set of defined Health Information industry competencies. The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Certified Professional Health Specialisation program provides formal recognition for the Health Library and Information Science (LIS) sector professional's specialised skills and knowledge.
Abstract: Voutier, Catherine This was the first Medical Library Association (MLA) annual conference that I've attended, and I plan to attend some more in the future. That wasn't why I wanted to attend though; it was the International Clinical Librarians Conference (ICLC) I was mainly interested in. The fact that it was being held alongside MLA as part of the International Congress on Medical Librarianship (ICML) was a bonus!
Abstract: Voutier, Catherine Methodological developments in advanced bibliographic searching and assessing research impact'. This was the title we (David Kaunelis, from the Canadian Agency for Drugs and Technologies in Health, and I) came up with for the Information Resources Group (IRG) workshop, held as part of the pre-conference program of Health Technology Assessment international's HTAi2013. Research impact is the odd one out here as it is a topic not generally covered in systematic review workshops. We included this submission because it is a relevant topic of interest to the wider HTAi community. Also, as a workshop we got extra points for having Korean presenters!
Abstract: Cosmas, Nathalie The workshop was held at the Royal Melbourne Hospital during Evidence-Based Practice week. Its aim was an introduction to evidence-based practice (EBP).
Abstract: Clayworth, Catriona With winter setting in and budget cuts and price rises beginning to bite hard, the Health Libraries Inc. (HLI) Training Day at the State Library of Victoria was a perfect tonic. The day was a good balance between product presentations and training from EBSCO and MIMS and sessions run by librarians.
Abstract: Cosmas, Nathalie The day kicked off (or started) with a great presentation on - 'What to do when a client asks for a systematic review'. Helen Shipperlee from St Vincent's Health Library began with a few definitions (systematic reviews versus literature searches) and clear methodologies.
Abstract: Foley, Laura; Siemensma, Gemma During the first half of 2012, Health Libraries Inc. became acutely aware that closures, mergers, staff redundancies and a reduction of Victorian health library operating hours had become a reality in the current economic climate.
Abstract: Taylor, Jeremy Health Libraries have tried many ways to demonstrate or quantify the value of various aspects of service, with varying degrees of relevance or accuracy.
Abstract: Due, Stephen It is obvious that health libraries today could be healthier. But what diagnosis can we offer - what precisely is the problem' Is it competition from the Internet' Budget cuts in healthcare' Perhaps lack of support for libraries in the upper levels of management'
Abstract: Peterson, Mary South Australian health libraries have a long history of cooperation (1, 2). The formation of the South Australian Health Library Network (SAHLN) was recommended by the 2010 Health Libraries Review, which was commissioned by the SA Health Department to address issues arising over equity of access to library resources for the entire SA Health workforce.
Abstract: Foley, Laura; McKerracher, Sue Health Libraries Inc. (HLI) and the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) have produced a joint report, Questions of life and death, describing the value of health library and information services in Australia.
Abstract: Jackson, Ilana Karen Schneider's 'The user is not broken' meme was posted on her Free Range Librarian Blog in 2006 (1). I believe that the words from the meme, which is aimed squarely at librarians, are as relevant today as when they were written six years ago.
Abstract: Due, Stephen Australian health libraries have developed first class lending collections - but do we still need them' Our lending shelves currently hold up to about 7000 books (on average) per library and consume about a fifth of our resources budgets. This has been a good investment, as book loans in hospital libraries have risen by fifty percent in the last ten years. Nevertheless the arrival of the e-book is forcing health libraries to reassess the value of the printed book.
Abstract: Chadwick, Ben; Wishart, Jo; Zalitis, Aina Those of us charged with recording organisational publications may liken it to trying to round up a group of capricious youngsters to sit still for a school photo. The trick is to gain cooperation before asking them to do something that doesn't come naturally, but the question remains: how' Capturing output and recording publications is a challenge beset by barriers. Lack of awareness, resistance to 'additional' administrative work, copyright and plagiarism concerns, and insufficient institutional support are well documented as impediments to capture alone - without going into the necessary funding, infrastructure and technology to record and store data, as well as variations in what is included in an institutional repository (IR).
Abstract: Foley, Laura In 2011, the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Library undertook a review with an external facilitator as part of a wider unit analysis. I hope to share the process as well as the tools used to assist others with aligning their library with the parent organisation.
Abstract: Reale, Elizabeth The Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) is the professional and industrial organisation representing nurses, midwives and assistants in nursing in Australia. It has almost 215,000 members.
Abstract: Taylor, Jeremy HINARI Access to Research in Health Programme launched in January 2002 provided free or very low cost online access to journals in the biomedical sciences for institutions in developing countries. Recently there are apprehensions that the HINARI program is being cut down as major journals were removed from HINARI.
Abstract: Voutier, Catherine The author reports on the Information Online Conference which she attended. Information Online has general themes applicable across all sectors. Two common themes ran through the conference - one was the high use of smartphones by Australians and the popularity of Facebook.
Abstract: Pitt, Karen The need for all organizations to include an assessment of both intellectual property assets and intellectual property risk as part of their governance process is emphasized. Five situations as in photocopying, scanning, emailing and intranet storage of articles and other textual works where relatively simple actions will support better compliance and minimize risk exposure are highlighted. Some tips for ensuring copyright compliance are also provided.
Abstract: Seitz, Janet Koha is a free, open-source integrate library system (ILS) project. The article explains how Koha was implemented at Peninsula Health Library Services who were on the lookout for a new library system.
Abstract: Ritchie, Ann A two-year national research project into the workforce and education requirements of the health libraries sector in Australia was undertaken by Health Libraries Australia (HLA), and funded by a grant received from the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA). The main aim of the research was: 'To determine the future requirements for health librarians in the workforce in Australia and develop a structured, modular education framework (postgraduate qualification and continuing professional development structure) to meet these requirements'. It was known that in order to comply with national trends in health professional workforce planning, a systematic approach to education and professional development was required, and that HLA needed to show leadership in this strategic initiative by bringing together the various stakeholder groups so each could contribute to designing and implementing such a system. The methodology consisted of national online surveys of health librarians and health library managers, and interviews with health librarian employers. The design was informed by an international literature review exploring research about education for future roles and responsibilities for health librarians; an environmental scan to determine the main trends and drivers for change in the national healthcare context; and a consultation session with health librarians from a diverse range of sectors. The Final Report has been endorsed by the ALIA Board of Directors and recommends initiatives in the areas of national health workforce planning and development; education and professional development based on competency-based standards and scopes-of-practice for health information professionals; and partnering with providers to deliver education programs tailored to the needs of health librarianship.
Abstract: Mitchell, Jennifer; Murphy, Fiona; Wiese, Katie Commencing a new job is a time of many challenges and changes. People often experience a wide range of emotions, from excitement and relief at getting that sought-after position to anxiety or fear about what lies ahead. In 2010, three new faculty librarians joined the Health Sciences team at La Trobe University Library Melbourne campus. Whilst these new librarians brought with them a variety of skills and expertise, they lacked experience in health librarianship. This brought many challenges not only for the new staff but for their trainers as well, especially as a new curriculum focus on Evidence Based Practice (EBP) was being introduced at the same time. This paper will focus on the reflections of these three new health librarians and describe how they developed the core competencies required for these positions.
Abstract: Macneil, Livia; Jenkins, Heather The Victorian Government Library Service (VGLS) is part of the government's commitment to a whole-of-government approach to shared corporate services, under its Better Financial Management policy.
Abstract: Jackson, Ilana In May 2005, OpenURL institutional linking functionality in Google Scholar became available for any library or information centre with a participating link resolver. The integration of library-specific links has provided opportunities for libraries to promote and advocate their purchased resources and ensure their end users have easy access to the full range of their electronic holdings through an internet search engine.
Abstract: Due, Stephen In London last April the sun was shining and there were spring flowers in all the city parks. The galleries and museums were full of noisy tourists and small flocks of French and German schoolchildren. European languages could be heard everywhere in the busy streets and cafes around Trafalgar Square and the West End. In the old market at Covent Garden opera singers busked to wild applause among the lunchtime crowds.
Abstract: Callinan, Margaret Out of the blue and more than a year in advance, I received notice of a wedding in Boston, USA, set for May 2011; a wedding I didn't want to miss. And so the planning began. Although I hadn't been at Austin Health all that long, Chief Librarian Anne McLean graciously approved eight weeks leave for me and my colleagues uncomplainingly covered for me during my absence. I chose 10 cities to visit in the US and Canada, one of them being Washington DC. That, of course, is a short, easy Metro ride from the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.
Abstract: Due, Stephen The HLI statistical survey provides evidence on the resources, services and economics of our libraries. Sixteen libraries participated in the 2011 survey. This report uses the data subsets of these sixteen libraries to illustrate averages and trends in specific areas of current Victorian health library practice.
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