Results of a Survey to Benchmark Canadian Health Facility Libraries

Ducas, Ada M.; Demczuk, Lisa; Macdonald, Kerry

doi:10.5596/c15-008

Cited by 6 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…It was also unexpected to learn that some hospital librarians are not providing specific educational programs or tutorials for researchers. A recent benchmark survey of Canadian health facility libraries found that 29% of librarians reported a decrease in library budgets and 36% reported their budget had stayed the same over the past 5 years [12]. Under this kind of budget constraint, we were surprised to find that 5 respondants reported that they had all the databases or resources they needed to support research.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Librarian Support for Researchers in Ontario Hospitals

McDiarmid

Lam

2018

J Can Health Libr Assoc

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Introduction This study investigates the extent to which Ontario hospital librarians and library resources support researchers and describe the librarians' participation in research capacity building within their institutions. Methods A 16-question SurveyMonkey™ web-based survey questionnaire was disseminated via email to 53 potential participants consisted of library directors, managers and solo librarians. Results The response rate was 60%. The number of researchers supported by librarians ranged from 10 or less to 76 or more researchers in the past 10 months. Librarians supported a variety of scholarly research outputs, assisting researchers with journal articles being the most frequently supported activity. The top three library resources used to support researchers were licensed electronic journals, print collections and expert librarian searches. One of the reported ways librarians received training to better assist researchers was via online continuing education.Discussion As others have reported, there was a predominance of support for literature studies including literature reviews and systematic reviews. Surprisingly, some librarians reported that they had all the databases or resources they needed to support research, while an alarming 79 per cent of respondents reported not having access to all the databases and resources they needed. Lack of access to databases or online resources may have a negative effect on the quality of research the librarians provided. Raising the awareness of the role of the librarian in supporting researchers in the hospital setting can inform the health sciences librarians' professional practices and provide evidence of the library's participation in the research capacity building of the organization.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 95%

Librarian Support for Researchers in Ontario Hospitals

McDiarmid

Lam

2018

J Can Health Libr Assoc

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“…Earlier, Ducas, Demczuk, and Macdonald (2015) benchmarked Canadian health libraries against the 2006 Canadian Health Libraries Association/Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada Standards for Libraries and Information Services in Canadian Healthcare Facilities. Almost one-third of the 168 responses noted shortcomings in staffing compared to the level set in the Standards.…”

Section: Benchmark Surveysmentioning

confidence: 99%

Digital Health and Professional Identity in Australian Health Libraries: Evidence from the 2018 Australian Health Information Workforce Census

Gilbert¹,

Gray²,

Butler-Henderson³

et al. 2020

EBLIP

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Abstract Objective – This research aimed to examine the characteristics of the current health library professional workforce in Australia. The study also sought to explore the areas of health library competency domains and job functions that may reflect progress toward a specialized digital health information capability. Methods – Health librarians’ responses to the May 2018 Australian Health Information Workforce Census were analysed and compared with results obtained in earlier census counts. The health librarian characteristics were also compared with other health information occupations included in the Census. Results – There were 238 usable health librarian responses. These indicate that the health librarian workforce continues to be a comparatively mature population, with substantial experience, increasing involvement in data- and technology-intensive functions, high levels of professional association membership, and participation in continuing education activities. Notably there are emerging role titles and job functions which point to a greater digital health focus in the changing work realm. Conclusion – The health librarian workforce has adapted its skills, in line with the increased digital emphasis in health information work. However, as with other health information occupational groups, it is possible that health system planners and funders are not aware of librarians’ current functions and skills. This mature workforce may undergo significant attrition and consequent loss of expertise in the next decade. Continued advocacy and strategic planning around these factors with workforce, healthcare quality, and educational organizations will be required.

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“…Respondents indicated that they provide a range of services, including clinical or embedded librarian services, teaching and involvement in research teams. The authors noted: ‘The provision of what formerly may have been enhanced services is increasingly the new normal for health facility libraries’ …”

Section: Significant Trends: 2010–2020mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In the 2013 CHLA/ABSC survey, respondents identified library funding and the ability to demonstrate value as two key issues facing their organisations . The 2015 benchmarking survey of Canadian health facility libraries found that most are using some form of service evaluation, ranging from formal user consultation to key performance indicators . However, the authors noted that given organisations' increasing emphasis on accountability there is room for improvement.…”

Section: Significant Trends: 2010–2020mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

New Directions in Health Sciences Libraries in Canada: Research and Evidence based Practice Are Key

Ganshorn

Giustini

2017

Health Info Libraries J

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This article is the second in a new series in this regular feature. The intention of the series is to look at important global developments in health science libraries. These articles will serve as a road map, describing the key changes in the field and exploring factors driving these changes. The present article by two Canadian librarians identifies important national developments which are shaping the profession such as the centralisation of health care services, the challenge of providing consumer health information in the absence of a national strategy, government recognition of the need to recognise and respond to the health needs of indigenous peoples and the growing emphasis on managing research data. Although their profession is strong, health science librarians must find ways of providing enhanced services with fewer staff and demonstrate value to organisations. JM.

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Results of a Survey to Benchmark Canadian Health Facility Libraries

Cited by 6 publications

References 25 publications

Librarian Support for Researchers in Ontario Hospitals

Librarian Support for Researchers in Ontario Hospitals

Digital Health and Professional Identity in Australian Health Libraries: Evidence from the 2018 Australian Health Information Workforce Census

New Directions in Health Sciences Libraries in Canada: Research and Evidence based Practice Are Key

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