Changing Roles for Health Sciences Librarians: A Synopsis of Current Trends
As modern technology stimulates increasingly savvy and complex electronic innovations, the role of health science librarians has continued to adapt and change year after year. Whereas in days of old health sciences librarians served as information keepers, today they serve more as partners, educators, creators and information mangers in a new sense. As Ralph A. Wolff once stated, “forging librarian/faculty partnerships will require new roles for librarians … events within and outside higher education are changing our fundamental conceptions of the library” (Dunn, 1). Nothing could be more true. As technology continues to change the way anyone and everyone does business and conducts daily affairs, so too has technology changed the fundamental working of the library and the roles of librarians.
Health science librarians are adopting various changes in response to technologically stimulated trends that include the need for web design and Internet knowledge. Dunn (1997) suggests that change must occur beginning with the center of higher education’s “information enterprises” which for many is its libraries (p. 4). Trends include changing roles for library staff.
Up until recently most information was stored on paper as paper documents, whether in the form of books, periodicals, magazines or other documents. The librarian’s roles included managing such documents, preserving and distributing them (Dunn, 1997; Craver, 2002). Health science librarians roles are changing however as the way we select, organize and store or retrieve information changes. Rapid advancements in technology have enabled more direct and efficient service and assistance. Trends of the future include emphasizing selection, accessing and subsidizing of information resources, but also teaching students and faculty to identify, locate and evaluate information resources using new tools (Dunn, 1997; Craver, 2002).
Changing Roles For Health Sciences Librarians
Librarians may now expect to serve as network administrators, enabling a support structure of information and access to this structure by patrons (Dunn, 1997; Craver 2002). Librarian’s roles may now include teaching and learning activities such as teaching web use (Dunn, 1997). Librarians are evolving “from an information organizer and provider to an active participant in the reach process” (Dunn, 7). Their role is to teach users “how to structure research questions, access information and select resources” in multiple formats (Dunn, 8). Librarian’s roles may also serve as leaders, “facilitating the introduction of new technologies for learning and research” (Dunn, 8).
More and more health sciences librarians face new opportunities and can now define how information and instruction “are communicated to students and faculty” (Dunn, 10). Librarians also may serve as counselors teaching people how to maneuver in an electronic environment, and serve as advisors instead of teachers rather than ‘custodians of collections” (Dunn, 10).
Rather than collect, organize and store information librarians of the future will face new challenges that may include partnering with specialists to deliver information instruction, designing instructional or educational programs that enable information access, teaching users how to access information, creating “information access tools,” preserving information in multiple formats and serving as facilitators who introduce information technology (Dunn, 11).
Librarians roles specific to health sciences research may include enabling health systems organizations to better utilize and understand health services, design tools for managing and researching information and working in collaboration with other faculty and staff to understand or discover new information sources and methodologies (NLM, 1999). Health Services librarian’s roles no include improved ability to respond to question but also support and conduct research, and may even include participation on “health services research teams” (NLM, 1999).
The new roles emerging within the health sciences field may require additional education and advanced degrees in areas including distance learning, self-study and related disciplines (NLM, 1999). Health sciences libraries of the future must work to understand the contexts in which “biomedical and related information emerges and unique ways of interpreting those environments” (NLM, 1999). This requires understanding of changing health care e environments and policy sources (NLM, 1999).
While librarians have traditionally “engaged in organization and arrangement of information collections” today use of digital collections and accompanying services require librarians “to function as knowledge navigators” or even “cyberspace organizers” (Young, 103). This suggests that digital librarians learn methods for teaching users “customized consultation and interpretation sources” (Young, 103). Librarians may also share new roles with educators in the future that may include authenticating and validating knowledge resources, particularly those relevant to the health sciences field (Young, 1996).
Trends for health science librarians also include requiring librarians to establish standard guidelines for constructing and maintaining a cyber library over time, as this ensures a strong foundation as one might expect from a conventional library system (Craver, 2002). Cyber libraries much like traditional libraries must ensure users have constant reference materials. Librarians roles may include developing a mission statement, specific goals related to their library, and establishing an overall design and maintenance plan (Craver, 2002).
Provision of Healthcare Information Resources and Services
The roles of the health sciences librarian of the future may include: (1) supporting research, informational and curricular needs of students and faculty, (2) inform and inspire students and staff, (3) provide programs, services and information that will improve the value of the Internet and library materials, (4) serve as supplemental research faculty and staff and (5) provide links to resources on the Internet (Craver, 1).
Consumers demands as well as healthcare providers demands for health information resources and services have continued to rise as technology has afforded greater access to health information materials online (Craver, 2002). Librarians can enable better access to health care information and assist health care providers in their research, as well as teach new ways to uncover and manage information working within the technology superhighway (NLM, 1999).
As demands for more health information resources and services continue to grow librarians will need to seek advanced degrees to enable better access and comprehension of health related materials online (Weller, 1998). The electronic environment has provided health science librarians with “significant role changes” that require expanded expertise and knowledge of programming, access and even scientific communication; new roles may include designing training and instructional programs that will help users including health care providers better utilize electronic resources (Weller, 1998).
Conclusions
Libraries according to Lyman (1996) are evolving to become digital highways of information, expanding the roles of librarians in the health sciences and other fields. Information technology has provided new methods for collecting, using and storing information. New research capabilities are now possible with digital library innovations, allowing librarians to take on more challenging roles and even participate in research and creation of digital communication tools in many cases (Lyman, 1996; Pollock & Brown, 1998). Because of these innovations many librarians are changing roles, becoming teachers, educators, creators and even researchers in many cases. Trends are evolving that help shape and define the health sciences librarian of today compared with that of yesterday.
Whereas many years ago print technology was considered “revolutionary” today this technology is superceded by digital technology, which is making possible new “social institutions” and avenues for communication and research in the health sciences (Lyman, 1). While there is some evidence that libraries themselves as we traditionally know them may not survive (Nunberg, 1998) there is ample evidence suggesting the role of librarians particularly in the health sciences will expand, grow and change in a positive light in the upcoming decades. New roles and responsibilities are increasingly being defined and implemented, and include the librarian as a researcher, teacher, educator, creator and manager.
References:
Craver, K.W. (2002). Creating cyber libraries: An instructional guide for school library media specialists. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.
Dichev, C. & Dicheva, D. (2004). “A framework for concept-based digital course libraries.” Journal of Interactive Learning Research, 15(4): 347.
Dunn, B. (1997). “The academic library in the information change: Changing roles.”
California State University. 12, October 2005:
Lyman, P. (1996). “What is a digital library? Technology, intellectual property and the public interest.” Daedalus, 125(4): 1.
NLM. (1999 — Jan). “NICHSR introduction to HSR class manual: The librarian’s role in HSR.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health. 10, October 2005: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/nichsr/ihcm/hsrclibn.html
Nunberg, G. (1998). “Will libraries survive.” The American Prospect, 41(1): 16.
Pollock, M. & Brown, K. (1998). “Learning and transitions in the careers of librarians.”
IFLA Journal, 24(1): 1. 12, October 2005: http://www.ifla.org/V/iflaj/ilj2401.htm
Polly, J. And Cisler, S. (1994 — Jan). “Connecting to the Global Internet,” Library
Journal 119 (1): 38.
Weller, A. (1998). “Changing roles of health sciences librarians in the electronic environment: Providing instructional programmes, improving access and advancing scientific communication.” IFLA Journal, 24(1): 1. 12, October 2005:
Young, P.R. (1996). “Librarianship: A changing profession.” Daedalus, 125(4): 103.
Get Professional Assignment Help Cheaply
Are you busy and do not have time to handle your assignment? Are you scared that your paper will not make the grade? Do you have responsibilities that may hinder you from turning in your assignment on time? Are you tired and can barely handle your assignment? Are your grades inconsistent?
Whichever your reason is, it is valid! You can get professional academic help from our service at affordable rates. We have a team of professional academic writers who can handle all your assignments.
Why Choose Our Academic Writing Service?
- Plagiarism free papers
- Timely delivery
- Any deadline
- Skilled, Experienced Native English Writers
- Subject-relevant academic writer
- Adherence to paper instructions
- Ability to tackle bulk assignments
- Reasonable prices
- 24/7 Customer Support
- Get superb grades consistently
Online Academic Help With Different Subjects
Literature
Students barely have time to read. We got you! Have your literature essay or book review written without having the hassle of reading the book. You can get your literature paper custom-written for you by our literature specialists.
Finance
Do you struggle with finance? No need to torture yourself if finance is not your cup of tea. You can order your finance paper from our academic writing service and get 100% original work from competent finance experts.
Computer science
Computer science is a tough subject. Fortunately, our computer science experts are up to the match. No need to stress and have sleepless nights. Our academic writers will tackle all your computer science assignments and deliver them on time. Let us handle all your python, java, ruby, JavaScript, php , C+ assignments!
Psychology
While psychology may be an interesting subject, you may lack sufficient time to handle your assignments. Don’t despair; by using our academic writing service, you can be assured of perfect grades. Moreover, your grades will be consistent.
Engineering
Engineering is quite a demanding subject. Students face a lot of pressure and barely have enough time to do what they love to do. Our academic writing service got you covered! Our engineering specialists follow the paper instructions and ensure timely delivery of the paper.
Nursing
In the nursing course, you may have difficulties with literature reviews, annotated bibliographies, critical essays, and other assignments. Our nursing assignment writers will offer you professional nursing paper help at low prices.
Sociology
Truth be told, sociology papers can be quite exhausting. Our academic writing service relieves you of fatigue, pressure, and stress. You can relax and have peace of mind as our academic writers handle your sociology assignment.
Business
We take pride in having some of the best business writers in the industry. Our business writers have a lot of experience in the field. They are reliable, and you can be assured of a high-grade paper. They are able to handle business papers of any subject, length, deadline, and difficulty!
Statistics
We boast of having some of the most experienced statistics experts in the industry. Our statistics experts have diverse skills, expertise, and knowledge to handle any kind of assignment. They have access to all kinds of software to get your assignment done.
Law
Writing a law essay may prove to be an insurmountable obstacle, especially when you need to know the peculiarities of the legislative framework. Take advantage of our top-notch law specialists and get superb grades and 100% satisfaction.
What discipline/subjects do you deal in?
We have highlighted some of the most popular subjects we handle above. Those are just a tip of the iceberg. We deal in all academic disciplines since our writers are as diverse. They have been drawn from across all disciplines, and orders are assigned to those writers believed to be the best in the field. In a nutshell, there is no task we cannot handle; all you need to do is place your order with us. As long as your instructions are clear, just trust we shall deliver irrespective of the discipline.
Are your writers competent enough to handle my paper?
Our essay writers are graduates with bachelor's, masters, Ph.D., and doctorate degrees in various subjects. The minimum requirement to be an essay writer with our essay writing service is to have a college degree. All our academic writers have a minimum of two years of academic writing. We have a stringent recruitment process to ensure that we get only the most competent essay writers in the industry. We also ensure that the writers are handsomely compensated for their value. The majority of our writers are native English speakers. As such, the fluency of language and grammar is impeccable.
What if I don’t like the paper?
There is a very low likelihood that you won’t like the paper.
Reasons being:
- When assigning your order, we match the paper’s discipline with the writer’s field/specialization. Since all our writers are graduates, we match the paper’s subject with the field the writer studied. For instance, if it’s a nursing paper, only a nursing graduate and writer will handle it. Furthermore, all our writers have academic writing experience and top-notch research skills.
- We have a quality assurance that reviews the paper before it gets to you. As such, we ensure that you get a paper that meets the required standard and will most definitely make the grade.
In the event that you don’t like your paper:
- The writer will revise the paper up to your pleasing. You have unlimited revisions. You simply need to highlight what specifically you don’t like about the paper, and the writer will make the amendments. The paper will be revised until you are satisfied. Revisions are free of charge
- We will have a different writer write the paper from scratch.
- Last resort, if the above does not work, we will refund your money.
Will the professor find out I didn’t write the paper myself?
Not at all. All papers are written from scratch. There is no way your tutor or instructor will realize that you did not write the paper yourself. In fact, we recommend using our assignment help services for consistent results.
What if the paper is plagiarized?
We check all papers for plagiarism before we submit them. We use powerful plagiarism checking software such as SafeAssign, LopesWrite, and Turnitin. We also upload the plagiarism report so that you can review it. We understand that plagiarism is academic suicide. We would not take the risk of submitting plagiarized work and jeopardize your academic journey. Furthermore, we do not sell or use prewritten papers, and each paper is written from scratch.
When will I get my paper?
You determine when you get the paper by setting the deadline when placing the order. All papers are delivered within the deadline. We are well aware that we operate in a time-sensitive industry. As such, we have laid out strategies to ensure that the client receives the paper on time and they never miss the deadline. We understand that papers that are submitted late have some points deducted. We do not want you to miss any points due to late submission. We work on beating deadlines by huge margins in order to ensure that you have ample time to review the paper before you submit it.
Will anyone find out that I used your services?
We have a privacy and confidentiality policy that guides our work. We NEVER share any customer information with third parties. Noone will ever know that you used our assignment help services. It’s only between you and us. We are bound by our policies to protect the customer’s identity and information. All your information, such as your names, phone number, email, order information, and so on, are protected. We have robust security systems that ensure that your data is protected. Hacking our systems is close to impossible, and it has never happened.
How our Assignment Help Service Works
1. Place an order
You fill all the paper instructions in the order form. Make sure you include all the helpful materials so that our academic writers can deliver the perfect paper. It will also help to eliminate unnecessary revisions.
2. Pay for the order
Proceed to pay for the paper so that it can be assigned to one of our expert academic writers. The paper subject is matched with the writer’s area of specialization.
3. Track the progress
You communicate with the writer and know about the progress of the paper. The client can ask the writer for drafts of the paper. The client can upload extra material and include additional instructions from the lecturer. Receive a paper.
4. Download the paper
The paper is sent to your email and uploaded to your personal account. You also get a plagiarism report attached to your paper.
PLACE THIS ORDER OR A SIMILAR ORDER WITH US TODAY AND GET A PERFECT SCORE!!!
