Health Sciences Environment and Librarianship in Health Sciences Libraries.

This book is the seventh volume in the Current Practice in Health Sciences Librarianship (CPHSL) series. Just as its predecessor, The Handbook of Medical Library Practice, the new CPHSL volume should be an essential part of any health sciences library collection. The CPHSL is an eight-volume series with Alison Bunting as editor-in-chief, aided by an advisory committee, appointed to coordinate the publication of the series. Volume 7 of this series is unique. Unlike the other volumes, which are devoted to a single topic, this one covers a variety of topics that may seem unrelated, but are essential to understanding the total environment of health sciences libraries and librarians. In the first chapter, Watson does a thorough job of surveying all possible environmental influences that shape and impact a health sciences library. Not only does she cover such influential areas as current health care delivery issues, changing roles of health professionals, and consumer expectations, but she also relates the ways health professionals' education, research, computer and communication technology, and ever changing scholarly communication environment play considerable roles in shaping today's library environment. Chapter two discusses library and institution types. Plutchak and Wellik begin with an historical look at health sciences libraries and their evolutionary development up to the present day. The authors acknowledge that even as they are writing about these libraries, the information is becoming outdated. That condition, however, does not detract from the valuable insights provided. Descriptions of academic libraries, hospital libraries, and detailed analysis of the health care industry and standards that shape hospital, society, and commercial libraries are very well-crafted summaries that will help anyone understand these environments better. Glaser and Schardt in chapter 3 examine the creation and evolution of standards shaping various health sciences libraries. Organizational standards dealing with medical, dental, hospital, and chiropractic libraries are covered. Interesting and well-written sections on the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the Medical Library Association (MLA) are important portions of this chapter. Additional sections include those covering standards for Canadian health facility libraries, outcomes assessments, and statistics. In the fourth chapter, Mehnert gives a concise, yet thorough description of the National Library of Medicine (NLM). Mehnert provides an insightful look at NLM's history, legislation, administration, collections, and services. In addition, he touches on the relevant programs that have major impact, such as the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), and special initiatives such as the Visible Human Project, the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS), and High Performance Computing and Communication. The future is the appropriate topic for Mehnert's last paragraph, in which he concludes that NLM's successful outreach efforts, products, and services will result in an overall increase in “demand for basic library services—acquiring, preserving, and providing access to books, journals, and other materials pertinent to medicine” (p. 113). He adds that “this rising demand will make ever more important the role of health sciences libraries in the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NN/LM), and it is to the continued strength and well being of the network that the NLM is striving” (p. 113). The chapter on “Cooperative Efforts of Health Sciences Libraries” by Kirkpatrick includes topics such as interlibrary lending, reference referral, cataloging, union lists, and consortia. In addition, Kirkpatrick provides a detailed look at the NN/LM, covers MLA and the Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL), and includes a section on library cooperation in Canada. The last chapter is dedicated to the history of health sciences librarianship. The author, Braude, states that “the history of health sciences librarianship is really the history of the development of specialty health sciences library education” (p. 142). Braude focuses on his topic by beginning with historical looks at early librarians and educators and their struggles. He then moves on to cover the justification for the special training and education, special courses and internships, planning conferences, panels, and task forces that shape health sciences library education. Braude mentions continuing education (CE), MLA's role in CE efforts and evolution of the CE program, and its importance to MLA and the membership. He also provides a well-written section on standards and certification. The last part of this chapter discusses the future of the profession. Braude cautions that “a rich history does not guarantee a secure future” (p. 174). He reminds readers of the impact and importance of keeping up with changes in information technology and stresses the importance of education and changing education to prepare for the future. All chapters include substantive lists of references. A helpful glossary of terms and an in-depth index form the appendices. This book is a welcome addition to all health sciences libraries, especially those where librarians may study, intern, or strive to find resources to help them understand their profession and the environment in which they work.

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