An Embedded Librarian Program: Eight Years On

ABSTRACT

This article examines an embedded librarian program eight years after implementation in a large academic health center. Librarians were physically moved into the colleges of pharmacy, public health, and nursing. Statistics are reported as well as comments from the participating librarians and faculty members. Strong relationships have been built between librarians, faculty members, and students. Locating the librarians among faculty and students led to a better understanding of client needs and an increased awareness of librarian competencies and services resulting in partnerships and greater utilization of library services.

KEYWORDS:

• Embedded librarians
• library services
• medical libraries
• nursing education
• pharmacy education
• public health professional education

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the following individuals for their contributions that helped to make this article possible: Sandra S. Kramer, Mari Stoddard, Maribeth Slebodnik, John Miller-Wells, and all the colleagues who support the embedded librarian model.

Notes on Contributors

Gary Freiburger, MLS ([email protected]), now retired, was Director; Jennifer R. Martin, MA ([email protected]) is Associate Librarian; and Annabelle V. Nuñez, MA ([email protected]) is Associate Librarian; all at University of Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona Libraries, The University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Avenue, P.O. Box 245079, Tucson, AZ 85724-5079.