A Study of a Popular Library Resource for Bedside Nurses: Theoretical Reflections and Implications for Practice at Blessing Health Professions Library

Abstract

Blessing Health Professions Library staff analyzed usage reports and discovered certain electronic resources were underutilized. In contrast, a new resource, Nursing Reference Center, was showing substantial growth. An institutional review board (IRB)-approved study was designed to investigate usage of this database. A 10-question survey was put on the library Web page and e-mailed to hospital personnel. The theoretical framework for the study was Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations. Results, analyzed in SPSS 19, showed plain language searching and a simple interface were key components for the staff nurses. Additional findings verified that their network of peer-to-peer dialogue was the most influential in choosing resources.

Keywords:

• evidence-based
• hospital
• information literacy
• information retrieval
• libraries
• nursing practice
• Nursing Reference Center
• nursing staff

Notes

Comments and suggestions should be sent to the Column Editors: Dixie A. Jones (E-mail: [email protected]) or Paul Blobaum (E-mail: [email protected]).