From UHSL to UHMLG: the evolution of a group for health librarians in higher education

In 2007 the University Health Sciences Librarians Group (UHSL) merged with the University Medical Schools Librarians Group (UMSLG) to form the University Health and Medical Librarians Group (UHMLG). This paper traces the course of health librarianship in the UK which led to this event, from the perspective of the UHSL.

The narrative has been developed from the Executive Committee minutes, newsletters and reports of events organized by the UHSL.

The UHSL evolved from the Council of Polytechnic Librarians (COPOL) Health Sciences Group and the Standing Conference of National and University Librarians (SCONUL) Health Sciences Group. It sought to represent the views of health librarians working in the university sector. It also provided, through newsletters and study days, information, networking opportunities and professional development. UHSL collaborated with other relevant organizations to further its aims.

The structure of professional support groups within health librarianship reflects the evolving nature of the health service, higher education and the social changes driven by technological developments.