ICML 2009: Meeting Room 4 Session 15

Theme: Professional Development

Time: 14.15-15.30
Date: Wednesday 2nd September 2009
Chair: Ann Ritchie

I Work in a Hospital Library: That Makes Me a Health Librarian, Doesn’t It?
Dr Suzanne P Lewis, Northern Sydney Central Coast Health, Australia

Suzanne Lewis is Training and Learning Librarian at Northern Sydney Central Coast Health Service in New South Wales, Australia. She has worked in health librarianship for twelve years. Her interests include professional development for health librarians and evidence based librarianship. She has contributed papers and evidence summaries to the online journal Evidence Based Library and Information Practice and with her colleague Lisa Cotter developed an evidence based librarianship website – Libraries Using Evidence (www.eblip.net.au ).

Abstract:
Objectives: The main objective of this project was to develop a list of competencies for health librarians that would underpin a coordinated staff development program for the restructured library service at Northern Sydney Central Coast Health Service (NSCCH). A successful staff development plan would identify gaps in skills and knowledge, and then make available learning opportunities to fill those gaps. The first step was to define what competencies a health librarian should have, and to map these to measurable indicators of skills and knowledge.

Methods: An evidence-based approach was used to build a list of competencies for health librarians tailored to the requirements of the NSCCH library service. Research-derived evidence was identified from the literature and librarian-observed evidence was sought from peers in the field. The draft list was piloted on the librarians at NSCCH in the form of a self-assessment tool.

Results: Several lists of competencies for health librarians were identified in the literature search. These were used as the basis for a list customised for the NSCCH librarians. The competencies were rated as mandatory or optional and also assigned to a beginning, intermediate or expert practitioner level. The self-assessment served to identify gaps in skills and knowledge. A professional development plan for each librarian was then developed to address these gaps.

Conclusions: This project has examined the process by which a generalist becomes a specialist health librarian by focusing on the competencies required to support specialist practice in a health library setting. The result is a comprehensive list of specialist competencies and a selective list of core/generic/personal competencies derived from research and librarian-observed evidence. This draft list has been successfully piloted in one health library service in order to underpin a coordinated staff development program. It is available from the author for health libraries that may wish to adapt and use it.

Introducing evidence based library and information practice in Sweden
Lotta Haglund, Karolinska Institutet University Library, Sweden

Lotta Haglund works as Head of Information and Public Relations at Karolinska Institutet University Library. The position involves marketing the library services to students, faculty and staff at Karolinska Institutet, as well as staff development, and management. Her main professional interests include marketing/communication, evidence based practice, pedagogy, and management. Lotta has a background in Archaeology, and holds a masters degree in Library and Information Science. She has worked in medical/health libraries since 1992, at Karolinska Institutet since 2000.

Abstract:
Objective: To introduce the concept of evidence based library and information practice (EBLIP) in Sweden.

Methods: The work to increase knowledge about EBLIP in Sweden has evolved in two directions, one at the Karolinska Institute University Library (KIB), and one involving the library community in Sweden. The internal work includes a journal club, as well as the production of evidence, through two research project; and aiding the scholarly writing process in the library, through collaborative writing. In 2007 KIB was approached with the question of hosting the 5th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference (EBLIP5) in 2009. A decision to accept the proposal was made, with the objective to broaden the participation in the conference to include staff from all library types, and with a large representation of European librarians. A number of marketing measures have been taken, including conference presentations, journal articles, and lobbying activities. A promotional film for the conference has been produced. Between November 2008 and May 2009 our work will culminate with conference presentations and workshops. A series of workshops for spring 2009 called Countdown to EBLIP5 is underway, introducing participants to EBLIP methods.

Results: Knowledge about EBLIP is increasing, especially in groups new to the subject. The misconception that EBLIP concerns only academic medical libraries is changing. Further results will be available at the time of the ICML conference.

Conclusions: It is possible for one library to make a new concept for library operations known within the library community.

Part of the job is to change the job: a follow-up on horizontal career development and the changing roles of health librarians
Tuulevi Ovaska, Kuopio University Library, Kuopio University Hospital Medical LIbrary, Finland

Tuulevi Ovaska works as information specialist in Kuopio University Hospital Medical Library. She is also the deputy director of Kuopio University Library. She has working experience in both academic and public libraries, as well as projects, since 1980s. She is a member of the editorial board of the Journal of the European Association for Health Information and Libraries, and the vice-chair of the Finnish Medical Library Association, Bibliothecarii Medicinae Fenniae (BMF).

Abstract:
Background: The concepts of library and librarianship, as well as the roles of the (health) librarians, are changing, and, as a matter a fact, more rapidly – and perhaps also more profoundly – than ever, so that nothing else is permanent but change. The paper is a follow-up study of my paper on the possibilities of horizontal career development and the changing roles of librarians, presented year 2006 in the 10th European Conference of Medical and Health Libraries in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Methods: The study is based on interviews and a questionnaire, and compares the results three years ago and now. It takes a look on what has been going on since autumn 2005 concerning task rotation and national or international career mobility as means and possibilities in horizontal career development in Kuopio University Library. The subject is then discussed in reflection to the literature on the subject.

Aims: The aim of the study is to collect information on the activities towards changing roles and staying in control of the changes, and to determine new goals in order to find implications for practice and research on the fields of career and professional development. I also aim to find implications for both practice and research in the field of continuing professional development of health librarians and the health librarianship profession.