New and Emerging Roles for Medical Librarians

Abstract

In this current environment, where fiscal uncertainty seems to be a constant and budget and personnel cuts are a frequent concern, librarians are exploring new and exciting ways to help their patrons and institutions. Although traditional services—the swift and timely delivery of up-to-date and accurate information—should continue to be performed with the uniform excellence on which library patrons depend, librarians can add value to these core services by seeking out additional functions applicable to their patrons’ needs, and embracing these new and emerging roles.

Keywords:

• clinical librarian
• library space
• medical librarian roles
• systematic review

Acknowledgments

This article is based on discussion at a Chapter Council Sharing Roundtable on New and Emerging Roles for Medical Librarians at the Medical Library Association's Annual Meeting in Boston, MA, on May 5, 2013, with Helen-Ann Brown Epstein, MLS, MS, AHIP, Clinical Librarian, Weill Cornell Medical Library, Cornell University as Facilitator. S. Layla Heimlich, MILS, Medical Librarian, MedStar Washington Hospital Center acted as Recorder. Lynda Hartel, MLS, Associate Director, Health Sciences Library, Ohio State University; Maylene Qiu, MSLIS, Evidence-based Healthcare & Clinical Liaison Librarian, Biomedical Library, University of Pennsylvania; and Lauren Wojcik, MSLIS, Public Service Librarian, McLane Children's Hospital Scott & White, participated in the discussion.

Notes

© S. Layla Heimlich