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Building a miniMEDLINE database: which journals to choose?
B Laynor1, N Calabretta, R Ross
1Thomas Jefferson University, Scott Memorial Library, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association
|April 1, 1988
Summary
Scott Memorial Library implemented a miniMEDLINE system using Georgetown University
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Library Science
Background:
- Scott Memorial Library (SML) adopted a Library Information System (LIS).
- The LIS includes miniMEDLINE for searching an in-house database from NLM MEDLINE tapes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the journal selection process for SML's miniMEDLINE file.
- To define the scope of the in-house database, including title count, years covered, and subject balance.
Main Methods:
- Systematic journal evaluation for inclusion in the miniMEDLINE database.
- Analysis of database content regarding research vs. clinical focus and allied health representation.
- Assessment of faculty engagement in the selection process.
Main Results:
- The paper outlines the criteria and methodology for curating the miniMEDLINE journal collection.
- Specific decisions were made regarding the number of titles, time span, and subject distribution.
- Faculty input was considered in balancing clinical and research content and incorporating allied health fields.
Conclusions:
- The journal selection process for miniMEDLINE aimed for a balanced and relevant collection.
- Faculty involvement was crucial in aligning the database with user needs and institutional priorities.
- This systematic approach ensures the miniMEDLINE file effectively supports information retrieval for diverse health science disciplines.