The health information specialist: a new resource for hospital library services and education programs

Growing pressures for more effective education programs at community hospitals demand better and more responsive hospital library resources and services. It is suggested that, with a modest amount of additional training and support, a community hospital librarian can play a key role in (1) improving the effectiveness of the hospital's library services and resources, (2) assisting hospital educators with the task of developing, implementing, and evaluating education programs, and (3) facilitating coordination of health information resources and services with all aspects of hospital education programs. An expanded, more active role, that of the Health Information Specialist, is suggested for hospital librarians. A one-week training program for librarians and special orientation for hospital educators and administrators plus followup field consultation for all three is described and proposed as an implementation strategy to provide the background and impetus needed to help hospital librarians evolve and expand their functional role into that of a Health Information Specialist.