Trend spotting – whither health science librarianship?

This feature surveys 20th-century trends in health sciences librarianship. It sets the scene for a series of features looking at 21st-century trends in various countries and regions. Whilst the mission of the health science library remains constant, librarians must find ways of adjusting their role and the services they provide to take account of changes in the external environment.     

Shaping the professional landscape through research,advocacy and education – an Australian perspective

This article is the first in a new series in this regular feature. The intention of the series is to look at important global developments in health science libraries. Librarians will be invited to share with HILJ readers key initiatives in their country or region. These articles should serve as a road map, describing the key changes in the field and exploring factors driving these changes. We initiate this series with an article by three Australian librarians who use research findings to depict the evolving professional landscape in their country. The starting point of their analysis is a report completed in 2011 which looked into likely future workforce and education requirements for health library professionals. The authors trace the achievements since then, most notably in the areas of research, advocacy and education. Clearly, a great deal has been achieved leading to a greater return on investment. The authors maintain that the key to shaping the profession and enhancing the status of librarians is ongoing professional development. To this end, Australia is promoting a systematic, competency based health specialist certification. Finally, they identify trends impacting on health librarianship, such as the growing importance of research data management and consumer health literacy. JM     

International trends in health science libraria‐ nship: Part 7 Taking stock

This article reviews the six papers published so far in this series on global trends in health science librarianship. Starting with a retrospective review of trends in the twentieth‐century, the series has covered 6 different regions, with contributions from 21 countries. As this is the half‐way point in the survey, it seems a useful point at which to reflect on what has emerged so far. The method of content analysis is used to identify key trends. The top five trends are explored. JM     

Providing Health Sciences Services in a Joint-Use Distributed Learning Library System: An Organizational Case Study

The purpose of this organizational case study is to describe the complexities librarians face when serving a multi-campus institution that supports both a joint-use library and expanding health sciences academic partnerships. In a system without a centralized health science library administration, liaison librarians are identifying dispersed programs and user groups and collaborating to define their unique service and outreach needs within a larger land-grant university. Using a team-based approach, health sciences librarians are communicating to integrate research and teaching support, systems differences across dispersed campuses, and future needs of a new community-based medical program.     

Ugandan health libraries in the 21st century: key initiatives and challenges

This article is part of a series in this regular feature which looks at new directions in health science libraries. This paper highlights new initiatives aimed at ensuring health libraries can contribute to the development of Uganda in the 21st century and the challenges facing libraries. It stresses that for libraries to be successful they need to form networks and collaborations for resource sharing; take advantage of the benefits of information technology; computerise their library systems; as well as invest in the development of staff. The paper highlights the main challenge facing the library service as inadequate funding both from government for public‐funded health libraries and the private sector (for privately funded health libraries). The paper concludes that, despite the bottlenecks brought about by inadequate funding, Ugandan health libraries have taken positive steps to support health research and education, as well as patient care, not just for Uganda, but for the whole of the East African region. J.M.     

论图书馆学情报学教育的整合

从图书馆学情报学的历史渊源、网络环境下图书情报工作一体化的实践,以及增强学生职业竞争力的角度,论述了图书馆学情报学教育整合是必然的发展趋势。借鉴美国、德国、日本等发达国家图书馆学情报学教育整合的成功实践,提出我国图书馆学情报学教育整合的思路是调整培养目标,整合学科名称,改革课程设置,融合教学内容。     

International trends in health science librarianship part 12: South Asia (India,Pakistan and Sri Lanka)

This is the 12th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship. This issue describes developments in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century in South Asia. The three contributors report on challenges facing health science librarians in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There is consensus as to the need for education, training and professional development. Starting in the next issue, the focus will turn to Africa, starting with countries in southern Africa. JM     

虚拟现实环境下用户信息行为研究动态及趋势分析

[目的/意义]通过对国外虚拟现实环境下用户信息行为相关文献的收集和分析,了解国外虚拟现实技术应用的研究进展及未来的研究趋势,为虚拟现实技术在图书情报领域的研究提供借鉴和启示。[方法/过程]运用文献分析和知识图谱可视化方法,对国外虚拟现实技术的研究热点及研究趋势进行分析和可视化呈现。[结果/结论]国外虚拟现实环境下用户信息行为相关文献的研究热点主要分布于虚拟现实环境下用户信息接受行为、用户采纳行为及人机交互行为研究。未来虚拟现实环境用户信息行为研究的发展趋势将更加关注于虚拟现实环境下用户社交行为,虚拟现实环境下多领域用户采纳行为及虚拟现实环境下用户阅读行为等3个方面。     

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��[Purpose/significance] This paper collects and analyzes relevant literatures on user information behavior in virtual reality environment abroad, in order to understand the progress and future research trends of virtual reality in the field of library and information science, and provide reference and inspiration for future academic and industrial research.[Method/process] Using literature analysis and knowledge mapping visualization method, the origin and development of user information behavior in virtual reality environment abroad, foreign research hotspots and future research trends were analyzed and visualized.[Result/conclusion] From the perspective of researching hotspots, foreign research mainly focused on the research of user information acceptance behavior, user adoption behavior and human-computer interaction behavior under virtual reality environment. From the researching trend, future research will more concentrate on user social behavior, user adoption behavior and user reading behavior in virtual reality environment.     

Collaborative,Creative, Participative: Trends in Public Library Innovation

Innovation in public libraries has been concentrated in the areas of participation, making & creating, learning, new outreach and partnerships. These trends represent the emerging areas of strategic focus for public libraries and are strongly influencing the development of library services towards a model that is collaborative, creative and participative, and that places the library at the centre of its user’s daily lives. This article provides an overview of these trends, with examples of how they are manifesting in library services, programming and strategy.     

我国图书馆学博士研究生教育实证研究

本文收集整理了我国图书馆学博士点2005年招生研究方向、入学考试科目以及课程设置的相关数据。在此基础上，比较系统地分析了我国图书馆学博士研究生教育的现状、规律与趋势；     

图书馆学教育与现代图书馆理念

20世纪80年代初,中国图书馆学理论变革没有触及现代图书馆理念,导致图书馆学教育体系缺乏现代图书馆理念的指导。现代图书馆理念包括智识自由、读者权利、平等服务、对弱势群体人文关怀等。国外LIS课程中体现了这种理念。我国近年部分图书馆学教材中开始体现这种理念。     

Tanzanian health libraries in the 21st century: initiatives and challenges

This article is part of a series in this regular feature, which looks at new directions in health science libraries. It highlights the initiatives health science librarians in Tanzania are implementing to ensure that their service meets users’ needs. To succeed, libraries must take steps to ensure that staff have access to education, training and professional development. Partnerships and collaborations are also vital to make the best use of scarce resources and to identify sources of funding. This article highlights the various challenges facing the library service and the opportunity for librarians to be recognised for the new roles they are taking on. J.M.     

New to health sciences librarianship: strategies,tips, and tricks

Three new librarians highlight their varied pathways into health sciences librarianship and offer insight into how they are navigating the challenges and successes of being new to the profession. The authors define a new health sciences librarian as a person who has fewer than five years of experience in health sciences librarianship specifically, having either recently graduated from library school or entered the health sciences from another type of librarianship. Jamia Williams speaks about her journey from new MLS graduate to health science librarian; Kelsa Bartley details her transition from library professional to health science librarian; and Jahala Simuel shares her experiences moving from academic librarian to health science librarian. This commentary provides strategies, tips, and tricks that new health sciences librarians may use to hone their craft and explore opportunities for professional development.     

International Trends in Health Science Librarianship Part 14: East Africa (Kenya,Uganda, Rwanda)

This is the 14th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. This is the second of four articles pertaining to different regions in the African continent. The present issue focuses on countries in East Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda). The next feature column will investigate trends in West Africa. JM     

International Trends in Health Science Librarianship Part 18: The Middle East (Iran,Qatar and Turkey)

This is the 18th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. The focus of the present issue is the Middle East (Iran, Qatar and Turkey). The next feature column will investigate trends in the Balkan States JM     

Measuring the value and impact of health library and information services: past reflections, future possibilities

Objectives: To summarize the context, history and results of research studies conducted on the value and impact of health library and information services by the author since 1975 and to use this as a basis for examining ongoing developments related to evaluation research. To provide a comprehensive bibliography of library value and impact studies. Methods: Literature review and background based on personal involvement in the studies under discussion. Results: The author's studies demonstrate an ongoing evolution of value and impact studies since the mid‐1970s. In health sciences libraries, the approach taken to measuring value and impact has been strongly influenced by the type of research being conducted in the health sciences field as a whole. As a result, health sciences library researchers have become early adopters of methods that incorporate outcome and impact measures and rigorous research designs, and the concept of evidence‐based library and information practice. The paper recommends that a range of research approaches from various disciplines be used to guide future evaluation research. Conclusions: Value and impact studies will continue to be important resources for evidence‐based practice as health information professionals deal with evolving user needs and new ways of delivering information to a variety of audiences.     

The COVID‐19 (Coronavirus) pandemic: reflections on the roles of librarians and information professionals

This Regular Feature explores the role of health science librarians in the coronavirus pandemic. COVID‐19 has spread rapidly all over the world. All major cities around the globe are in lockdown. In Pakistan, the first case was diagnosed on 26 February 2020, and currently, there are more than 2039 diagnosed cases and 26 deaths as on 31 March 2020. Across the country, there are further 12 000 suspected cases. This will undoubtedly increase if precautionary measures are not taken. Pakistani universities, colleges and schools were in lockdown. The role of university librarians in this emergency included raising awareness through public health education, providing support to medical staff, researchers and providing ongoing traditional services to regular library patrons in Pakistan. The Regular Feature also provides links to useful resources. JM.     

Planning and designing hospital health science libraries

The people who plan and design hospital libraries must be aware of the environment in which the library functions. The hospital health science library operates under a different set of values and priorities from an academic library. Three methodologic studies are reported to determine hospital health science functions with comments on the significance of the data for designing: (i) the extent and possible use of books and journal collections makes it evident a hospital must act as an access point to the scholarly record; (ii) a survey of 41 hospitals shows a wide variety and combination of 33 user services; obviously what services are to be given should be decided before design; (iii) observing how different areas are used by a library's clientele shows that groups use the library differently and within certain time patterns; the arrangement of the functional areas can be better designed if quantitative data on the use of space are available.     

International trends in health science librarianship part 17: a comparison of health science libraries with academic and research libraries

Over the last 4 years this Regular Feature has looked at trends in health science librarianship in the 21st century. Although there are still a few more regions to be covered in this series, this issue explores general trends in academic and research libraries with a view to discovering whether the trends identified for health science libraries are similar. Are health science libraries unique? Or do their experiences mirror those found in the wider world of academic and research libraries? JM