Part II Implementing the 4 Rs:Moving Forward and Defining a New Model of Health Science

Librarianship

Elaine Martin, D.A.Director of Library Services Lamar Soutter LibraryAugust 2013

Creating Opportunities for the New Health Sciences Librarian:

LSL Fellows Program

Summary of Program Program Objectives Program Details Program Evaluation Moving Forward Next Steps

Outline

Summary of Library Fellows Program

Provides a two-year work experience emphasizing hands-on learning and research into topics of information management, medical librarianship, and the biomedical sciences.

Incorporates training, professional development, and research.

Guides the fellow toward a professional career in academic medical Librarianship.

LSL is the learning laboratory for exploring the ins and outs of assisting clinicians, researchers, educators, and students with their information needs.

Fellows contribute to LSL by performing meaningful projects and assignments and bringing passion and new ideas about librarianship to the organization.

Program ObjectivesProvide a comprehensive range of experiences that will result in a solid foundation in health sciences information services and will prepare librarians for new roles in health sciences libraries and in health services research. Provide fellows with the opportunity to translate theoretical library science principles into practice.Fellows will experience and contribute to the best practices, skills, and technologies that are shaping the future of the medical and health sciences library profession.Expose fellows to research, clinical care, and education in the academic medical environment, and provide them with the opportunity to take on new roles as members of clinical and biomedical research teams. Fellows will contribute to the professional literature and knowledge base by examining current issues and trends, identifying research areas and conducting first hand research.

Program Details

Foundation Recruit newly graduated MLS students for

two year fellowship (optional third year)

The fellowship is divided into three concurrent modules: Customer Support for mission critical

areas of the medical school: patient care, research, and education

Training Research Projects

Customer Support for Mission Critical Areas In-depth reference requests from researchers, faculty,

administration, and students, such as: Developing complicated search strings for clinical,

educational, and research staff. Getting people started with research Helping people decide where to publish

Complex IR work (Institutional Repository is expanding) including name authority work, reviewing author rights, etc.

Complex cataloging work accessing and modifying records in a national database.

Provide end user access to information resources using local, regional, and national collections and systems.

Training The training is done through shadowing selected hands-on

experience with LSL Librarians and appropriate workshops. Training opportunities may include, but are not limited to: Reference resources and techniques Advanced searching techniques Evidence based Medicine Bibliographic management tools Institutional Review Board (IRB) Morning report in various clinical departments Embedded librarianship in a research area E-Science programs and seminars Data Management Library systems and web Workshops and professional meeting with NAHSL, BLC, MLA,

MAHSLIN etc…. Participate in the house librarians program Introduction to Regional medical Library Instruction techniques

Research Projects Each year, the fellow, with guidance from the

manager/mentor, will choose a three to six month research project related to health science librarianship.

The projects will utilize research methods The projects could focus on the use of a technology,

evidence-based medicine, informatics, data or knowledge management, etc.

A mentor will guide the Fellow through the project. The results are delivered in written reports, presentations,

and publications at peer reviewed level. The purpose of the projects is to create a self-directed

course of study and investigation and to meet the challenge of interpreting results for decision-making in a library environment.

Professional Development

Attend workshops and meetings sponsored by professional organizations such as: NAHSL, MAHSLIN, BLC, and MLA

Take Continuing Education (CE)classes

Program Evaluation

Longitudinal tracking across several cohorts

Impact on library Impact on library profession

Moving Forward

Organization ChartDirector

Assoc. DirectorLibrary

Operations

Supervisor

Library Fellow

O3s

Library Fellow

Library Fellow

Library Clerk

Library Clerk

Supervisor

Library Fellow Job Description

GENERAL SUMMARY OF POSITION:  Under the direction of a Librarian or designee, the Library Fellow contributes to the organization by performing meaningful projects and assignments. The Library Fellows Program (LFP) is designed to provide a 2 year work experience emphasizing hands-on learning and research into topics of information management, and medical librarianship. The program incorporates training, professional development, and research. It is designed to guide the fellow toward a professional career in academic medical librarianship. The underlying principle of the fellow program “is shared value”. The Lamar Soutter Library (LSL) provides a learning laboratory where recent MLS graduates experience the real working world and explore the range of experience when assisting clinicians and researchers with their information needs.

Job Description, cont.MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:Provide reference service on demand via personal contact, telephone, or e-mail using a variety of information tools and library systemsPromote information and research services, engaging users to assess work needs beyond initial reference inquiriesProvide end user access to information resources using local, regional, and national collections and systemsProvide technology support to patronsParticipate in and lead strategic initiative teams, committees, and task forcesDevelop content for the library’s web page and posts using content management tool, e.g. LibGuidesEvaluate services and suggest changes to improve effectivenessParticipate in Library professional staff and consortia meetingsDesign and implement research projects and publications in order to contribute to the advance in medical librarianshipIn collaboration with the librarian mentor complete a research project related to health science librarianship in a focus area such as technology, evidence- based medicine, informatics, data or knowledge managementDeliver reports, presentations, and publications at peer reviewed levelCreate a self- directed course of study and investigations to meet the challenge of interpreting results for decision making in a library environmentPerform other duties as required.Provide in depth and ready reference service to patrons

Job Description, cont.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: MLS degree in an ALA- approved library/information science program PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:1-2 years of library research or health related experience is preferredMay be able to work occasional weekends

Apply at: https://careers-umms.icims.com/jobs/21916/library-fellow/login

Next StepsThree Task Forces

Reference Services Task Force Fellows’ Research Projects Task Force Fellows’ Curriculum Task Force

Begin Recruitment

Reference Services Task Force

Charge: The Reference Services Task Force will develop a plan for an appointment based, consultation reference service to replace the current triage/pager model. The goal is to provide needed service without staffing a desk. The new model will have no desk, no paging system, no “on call” librarians.  Deliverable: The team will submit a recommendation to the Management team, including the service model and plan for implementation.  Due: October 1, 2013

Fellows’ Curriculum Task Force Charge: The Fellows’ Curriculum Task Force will develop a curriculum that will provide a comprehensive range of experiences resulting in a broad foundation in health sciences information services. The curriculum is a two year program, and should touch on all areas of medical librarianship and all areas of LSL, including institutional repository, biomedical research services, reference, expert searching, clinical experiences such as IRB and morning report, systems and web work, customer service, database knowledge, WorldCat Local, resource sharing, cataloging, and circulation and access policies. The curriculum could encompass classes, hands on work, shadowing, mentoring program, etc. Consider length of “assignment” in each area. The task force should consider these questions, What makes a medical librarian different from other academic librarians and What competencies are necessary for a medical librarian? Learning objectives should be developed from the answers to these questions. Phase 1: Develop the overall plan for the two year integrated curriculum involving the whole Library. Plan should include competencies, learning objectives, a basic curriculum to support those objectives, and a plan for evaluation. Upon approval of the plan by the Management Team, the task force will begin Phase II. Phase II: Create the first year syllabus for the curriculum, including recommended readings, activities, exercises, and instructors. Create an outline for the second year. Deliverables: Due October 1: Overall plan for a two year integrated curriculum. Due October 15: First two weeks of first year syllabus. This is the first Phase II deliverable. Work on the remaining syllabus will continue with due dates to be determined.  

Fellows’ Research Projects Task Force Background: Each year, the Fellow, with guidance from the manager/mentor, will choose a three to six month research project related to health science librarianship. The projects will utilize research methods and could focus on the use of a technology, evidence-based medicine, informatics, data or knowledge management, etc. A mentor will guide the Fellow through the project. The results are delivered in written reports, presentations, and publications at peer reviewed level. The purpose of the projects is to create a self-directed course of study and investigation and to meet the challenge of interpreting results for decision-making in a library environment. Research should be relevant to and benefit LSL. LSL’s Research Guidelines will be a resource for the fellows.  Charge: The Fellows’ Research Projects Task Force will identify 10 (or more) projects from which the fellows may choose according to their interests. The task force should ask for input from all LSL Librarians. Projects must be relevant to LSL. Deliverable: List of 10 (or more) research projects, including short descriptions of the scope of the research and the expected outcomes for or value to LSL. Include the name of the department contact for each project. Due: October 1, 2013

For more information contact:Elaine Martin, D.A.

Director of Library Services Lamar Soutter LibraryUMass Medical School

elaine.martin@umassmed.edu