Effectiveness of a Liaison Program in Meeting Information Needs of College of Pharmacy Faculty

Abstract

This article describes the creation and implementation of focus groups to evaluate the effectiveness of a health sciences library's liaison program of the College of Pharmacy faculty and to better understand the faculty's information needs in order to design new and improved library services. The liaison services support the teaching and research needs of faculty and students through literature research, classroom teaching, and an extensive library collection of pharmacy literature. Focus group results demonstrated a high level of satisfaction with library liaison services and collections. Opportunities exist for expanded interaction with graduate students and greater marketing of library services to increase faculty awareness of specific library programs.

KEYWORDS:

• College of pharmacy
• faculty
• focus groups
• health sciences libraries
• information needs
• liaison librarians
• new roles
• research support

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sandra S. Kramer

Sandra S. Kramer, MS, MA ([email protected]) is Assistant Director for Services, Arizona Health Sciences Library, The University of Arizona, PO Box 245079, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724.

Jennifer R. Martin

Jennifer R. Martin, MA ([email protected]) is Information Services Librarian, Pharmacy Information Services (PILS), Arizona Health Sciences Library, The University of Arizona, PO Box 245079, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724.

Joan B. Schlimgen

Joan B. Schlimgen, MA ([email protected]) is Assistant Director for Resources, Arizona Health Sciences Library, The University of Arizona, PO Box 245079, 1501 North Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724.

Marion K. Slack

Marion K. Slack, PhD ([email protected]) is Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, The University of Arizona, PO Box 210054, 1295 North Martin Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724.

Jim Martin

Jim Martin ([email protected]) is Associate Librarian, The University of Arizona Libraries, 1510 East University Boulevard, Tucson, AZ 85721.