Liaison services for a remotely located biotechnology research center

In April 1989, the Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center (HAM-TMC) Library initiated a prototype liaison program with the Baylor College of Medicine (BCM), Center for Biotechnology (CBT). The library was interested in examining the benefits and costs of the outreach concept and in supporting Houston's efforts to develop into a center for biotechnology research. Located thirty-five miles from the HAM-TMC Library, CBT was receptive to an outreach project that would improve its access to the library's collection and services. This article describes the objectives and development of the pilot project, the services provided, feedback from the biotechnologists, and program costs. Although limited in scope, the project has provided the HAM-TMC Library with useful data about the information needs of a particular group of biotechnologists and strengthened relationships with these scientists. In addition, the knowledge and experience gained from this effort are being used to plan outreach efforts for other client groups.