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The changing continuing education role of health sciences libraries
1Harvard Medical Library, Boston, Massachusetts.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|April 1, 1990
Summary
Health sciences libraries can enhance their role in continuing education (CE) by integrating innovative services and focusing on lifelong learning. Librarians should collaborate with educators and participate in research to improve information management and quality filtering for CE.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences Librarianship
- Continuing Education
- Information Management
Background:
- Libraries traditionally support institutional continuing education (CE) objectives.
- Evolving understanding of learning processes necessitates adaptation by health sciences libraries.
- Health sciences librarians must leverage new knowledge to strengthen their role in CE.
Purpose of the Study:
- To survey literature on health sciences libraries' roles in CE.
- To report findings from an informal survey of health sciences librarians.
- To identify innovative services integrating libraries with user lifelong learning.
Main Methods:
- Literature review on health sciences libraries and CE.
- Informal survey of health sciences librarians.
- Identification and analysis of innovative library services for CE.
Main Results:
- Four key support areas identified: resources, content, education, and information management.
- Traditional and new opportunities for library involvement in CE were illustrated.
- Librarians need to prioritize their own lifelong learning and collaborate with educators.
Conclusions:
- Health sciences librarians must actively engage in their own professional development.
- Increased collaboration with educators and CE providers is crucial.
- Participation in research and quality filtering processes will enhance the library's CE role.