Objectives: The purpose of this review was to uncover areas of competence which may lead to a baseline of skills for health librarians. A baseline could inform personal development plans for health librarians, criteria for job descriptions and curriculum for library and information science (LIS) courses. Methods: This research outlines existing competencies for librarians working in health care as defined by library associations, recent job descriptions and a mapping review of the library and information science literature. This is performed in the context of librarians working in the Irish health system with examples of practice drawn from the Irish experience. Results: Ten areas of competence were found to be common to three of five library associations, which were also common to recent job descriptions. The literature reveals an ever changing working environment for librarians working in health with opportunities for new and evolving roles. Conclusions: The challenge for librarians moving into these roles will be to stay relevant and to keep skills updated in a rapidly moving health and information environment.Keywords: competencies; health education; Northern Ireland; Southern Ireland (Eire); librarians; libraries; professional associations
Key Messages• Professional library associations representing health librarians need to develop education policies that include specific competencies for librarians working in health care.• Library associations should consider collaborating internationally to formulate education policies and standards tailored specifically to health librarians and libraries.• The authors recommend fundamental revision of curricula in library and information schools in Ireland and the UK to include the baseline competencies described.• Health librarians should consider a baseline of 10 competency areas when drawing up personal professional development plans.
hosted a seminar via Zoom, entitled 'Irish Libraries and COVID-19: First Reflections'. The seminar explored the response of the library sector to the global pandemic that has impacted every aspect of life. This article presents the case studies from the seminar.
Irish libraries and COVID-19: first reflectionsKeywords COVID-19; 3D printing; poetry; public libraries; health sciences; medical libraries College Cork (UCC) Library and Marian Higgins, Kildare Libraries. The innovativeness and commitment of libraries to continuing to deliver on their mission even in extraordinary times, was illustrated by four case studies in the second session, which was chaired by Fiona Morley, Head of Digital Programmes and Information Systems at MU. Eileen Kennedy, NUI Galway), talked about the 3D printing of a range of kit and tools for frontline workers. Helen Fallon described how MU Library organised an online poetry workshop. Dr Sandra Collins covered the Irish National Library's work to collect the Irish experience of COVID-19, while Joan Ward spoke about Libraries Ireland's 'Spring into Storytime' initiative moving online due to COVID-19. The third session saw Laura Connaughton, Head of Academic Services at MU Library, chair a virtual panel question and answer session with all of the speakers and open to all delegates. In the fourth and final session, Hugh Murphy, Head of Collections and Content at MU Library, distilled the key learning points and common themes from the seminar. The following case studies are based on the presentations.
In this feature, guest writer Aoife Lawton discusses the outcomes of an information skills workshop delivered at a continuing professional development conference for health and social care professionals in Ireland. The primary aim of the study was to evaluate perceptions of the effectiveness of the workshop. The study provides details of how, through collaborative partnership, the workshop was developed and delivered. Application of an adapted version of the Kirkpatrick model of evaluation is presented alongside details of what impact the event had on the attendees both immediately after the workshop and 3 months post-workshop. The authors also reflect on the benefits delivery of the workshops had for professional health library practice and service improvement.H. S.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.