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This book brings to light the current job responsibilities of the healthcare librarian, but at the same time reveals a dichotomy. In theory, advances in healthcare research promise better care and improved safety for patients. In practice, there are barriers that undermine change. The author calls attention to the underutilized healthcare librarian at a time when clinical information delivery to the doctor or nurse is equal to or more important than how wired the hospital is. This is a book for healthcare stakeholders who support evidence-based practice and for those considering entering medical librarianship. The profession is in flux as hospitals must decide whether they can afford a library and librarian or whether they can afford not to have one.
- Discusses current trends in healthcare librarianship
- Describes the daily job duties of a hospital librarian
- Looks at barriers to hospitals practicing evidence-based medicine
- Connects improved patient care to healthcare librarian services
List of contents
Chapter One: Forethoughts
Chapter Two: Bedrock Services
Chapter Three: Purchasing
Chapter Four: Maintaining Electronic Resources:
Chapter Five: All-Around Support
Chapter Six: Afterthoughts
About the author
Elizabeth Burns is the Library Manager at the Kansas City, Missouri Veterans Affairs Hospital. She was presented the Barbara McDowell Award in 2009. The award was established in 1984 in memory of Barbara McDowell, Chief of Library Services at the Sioux Falls, South Dakota Veterans Administration, who died in 1983. The award recognizes both local and national leadership in hospital librarianship.
Report
"... a valuable resource for newer staff starting out in Healthcare Libraries and perhaps a good one to leave casually lying about in a shared staff room just to highlight the work and value that Health Library staff can bring." -- CILIP Health Libraries Group Newsletter
