NSW Health Libraries Forum 2007

Presentations now available

2007-11-15T18:40:00.000+11:00

The presentations from the Forum have now been uploaded onto Slideshare. Links to slideshows are on the program page, or go direct to
http://www.slideshare.net/NSWHLF2007/slideshows

Evaluation Form

2007-11-12T14:00:00.000+11:00

Did you miss submitting an evaluation form before leaving Gosford last week? Please take the time to fill one in now :-)
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=l1r6zD2Pf2fcQTB5NyEhaQ_3d_3d

This form will be open until at least the 19th November. Results will be reported here in the coming weeks.

Thank you to everyone for participating so enthusiastically throughout NSWHLF2007!

Lisa
lisa@eblip.net.au

Welcome

2007-08-31T10:52:00.000+10:00

Northern Sydney Central Coast Health is pleased to be hosting the NSW Health Libraries Forum 2007 (NSWHLF2007). The planning committee are looking forward to delivering a practical yet innovative event for those working in the health libraries of NSW. The forum will be held in the new Conference Centre at Gosford Hospital, 8-9 November 2007.

NSWHLF2007 is very lucky to be supported by some very generous sponsors, including EBSCO, OVID, Raeco, Softlink, HCN, Ramsay Medical Books & More, M&L Medical Books, Swets, SPP, Serials Solutions, ProQuest, Gale - a part of Cengage Learning, ALIA, Co-op Bookshop, and Inbooks.

To ensure the event is highly relevant and interesting to delegates, your participation and feedback is invited. To have your say, please contact a committee member, or contribute via the comments facility on this site (click "comments" at the bottom of each page).

See you in November - Registrations are now OPEN.

Suzanne Lewis & Lisa Cotter
Convenors
slewis@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au
lisa.cotter@newcastle.edu.au

Registrations

2007-08-30T17:56:00.000+10:00

Registrations are now open!

Early bird rate (until 28th September) - $100 inc. GST **INCLUDES ENTRY INTO PRIZE DRAW**
Standard rate (after 28th September) - $125 inc. GST
Accepted speakers - $75 inc. GST

Register online

Download the full program and registration form and fax (page 4 only) to Gosford Hospital Library (02) 4320 3860

Questions? Please contact Suzanne Reith-Wood (4320 3610)

Our Sponsors

2007-08-09T13:49:00.000+10:00

Thank you to our generous sponsors!

EBSCO – dinner sponsor
OVID – invited speakers sponsor
Raeco – delegate pack sponsor
Softlink – keynote speaker sponsor (interstate)
Gale, part of Cengage Learning - keynote speaker sponsor (local)
HCN - speaker gifts sponsor
Ramsay Medical Books & More... – regional librarian/library technician attendance opportunity sponsor
M&L Medical Books – morning tea sponsor
Swets – morning tea sponsor
SPP – afternoon tea sponsor
Serials Solutions - afternoon tea sponsor
ProQuest – major prize sponsor
ALIA - sponsor
Co-op Bookshop – sponsor of participation prizes (books and book vouchers)
Inbooks – sponsor of participation prizes (books)
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health – facility sponsor
Blue Pod Coffee Co - sponsor of a Lavazza coffee from the vending machine in Gosford Hospital Library for each delegate

The following sponsorship opportunities are still available:

Premium sponsor ($5000)

Lunch sponsor (2 x $1000)

Product donations (Web 2.0 themed items for participation rewards would be most welcome!)

To discuss participating in the NSW Health Libraries Forum 2007, please contact:

Suzanne Lewis
Co-Convenor, and Sponsorship Coordinator
+61 2 4320 3856
slewis@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Regional health librarian/technician attendance opportunity

2007-08-03T14:16:00.000+10:00

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED. THE SUCCESSFUL APPLICANT WAS SALLY TOMS OF NORTH COAST AREA HEALTH SERVICE.

Ramsay Medical Books & More have generously made available $750 in sponsorship to enable a regional health librarian/technician to attend the NSWHLF2007, by covering expenses such as travel, accommodation and forum registration fees.

This opportunity is open to any NSWHealth library staff member in

Greater Southern Area Health Service
Greater Western Area Health Service
Hunter New England Area Health Service (north of Newcastle only)
North Coast Area Health Service
South Eastern Sydney/Illawarra Area Health Service (south of Wollongong only)

If you are interested in this opportunity, please send an application outlining why you should be the lucky recipient/s (maximum 250 words), by 5pm Friday 7th September.

Submit online by 5pm Friday 7th September 2007 , or
Download the application form from http://www.newcastle.edu.au/library/gosford/ebl/nswhlf2007/regionalsponsorship.pdf
Fax the completed form to the Gosford Hospital Library at 43203860 by 5pm Friday 7th September

The sponsorship will be judged by the NSWHLF2007 Planning Committee and awarded on the basis of

financial need
potential to introduce innovative projects/services in regional health libraries
limited opportunities to attend previous library conferences/forums

The sponsorship will be awarded to a single workplace, but may be used to assist attendance by more than one staff member. Joint applications should be submitted on a single form.

Appropriation of awarded funds is at the discretion of the successful applicant, however attendance at the forum is compulsory and a registration form must be submitted by 21st September.

Questions? Please ask Suzanne Lewis (Ph. 43203856)

IMPORTANT DATES:
Applications due: 5pm, 7th September 2007 APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Successful applicant announced: 14th September 2007 Congratulations Sally Toms (NCAHS)!
Successful applicant must register by: 21st September 2007

Program

2007-08-02T17:03:00.000+10:00

[print version - full program]

THURSDAY 8th November, 2007

8.30-9.00 REGISTRATION (including tea/coffee)

9.00-10.30 KEYNOTE SESSION Sponsored by Softlink Chaired by: Suzanne Lewis

Opening address (Suzanne Lewis, Co-Convenor. NSCCH)
Welcome (Anne-Marie Hadley. Acting CIO, NSCCH)
Keynote address – Karen Joc (Softlink). Shifting sands through innovation - the Qatar Experience abstract slideshow
Revolutionizing consortium access with Athens single sign-on (Robin Sewell, University of Arizona and Shannon Sweeney, Ebsco) abstract slideshow
Sarada Rao is no longer able to attend. The full paper will be available after the Forum. The role of libraries in eHealth service delivery in Australia (Sarada Rao, State Library of Queensland) abstract

10.30-11.00 MORNING TEA Sponsored by M&L Medical Books

11.00-12.15 MORNING SESSION Chaired by: Anne Robinson

Focus on the user environment: increase your library's usability (Suzanne Lewis, NSCCH)
EBLIP in the 2.0 world - reflective practice unlocking the door to innovation (Lisa Cotter, NSCCH/The University of Newcastle and Gillian Wood, NSW Health Department) abstract slideshow
OVID new platform, and document delivery demonstration

12.15-13.00 LUNCH

13.00-14.30 AFTERNOON SESSION Chaired by: Gillian Wood

WIN A PDA! Early bird prize draw Sponsored by ProQuest
How healthy is your blog? (Nicky Hayward-Wright, Alzheimer’s Australia NSW) abstract slideshow
CRGH Medical Library Wiki – improving staff communication and interaction to enhance user services (Julia Philips and Kaye Lee. Concord Repatriation General Hospital Library) abstract slideshow
Poster Session - featuring posters by Kate Jonson, Mary Grimmond & Donna Robertson, and Don Keast.

14.30-15.00 AFTERNOON TEA Sponsored by SPP Books

15.00-17.00 MEETINGS

Gratis Meeting (3-4pm) (Chair: Margot Drake)
NSW Health Librarians Meeting (4-5 pm) (Chair: Gillian Wood)
University Medical Librarians Meeting (3-5pm) (Chair: Anne Robinson)

18.00 DINNER - Gosford Golf Club. Sponsored by EBSCO Hosted by: Larnich Harije

Included in registration.

FRIDAY 9th November, 2007

8.30-9.00 TEA / COFFEE UPON ARRIVAL

9.00-10.15 KEYNOTE SESSION Sponsored by Gale, a part of Cengage Learning Chaired by: Karen Adams

Welcome to Day 2 (Karen Adams. Knowledge Manager, NSCCH)
Keynote address – Jenny Peasley (Macquarie University). Responding to the Future abstract slideshow
Developing library services for the new Australian School of Advanced Medicine at Macquarie University (Mary Simons and Karen Marks. Macquarie University) abstract slideshow

10.15-10.45 MORNING TEA Sponsored by Swets

10.45-12.15 MORNING SESSION Chaired by:Ingrid Tonnison

Librarians' story of the PDA Service at the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School (Kaye Lasserre, William Chun and Lisa Kruesi. University of Queensland) abstract slideshow Sponsored by OVID
PDA Software demonstrations

12.15-13.00 LUNCH

13.00-14.30 MEETINGS

UNSW Teaching Hospital Librarians (Chair: Kate Dunn)
University of Sydney Teaching Hospital Librarians (Chair: Jill Denholm)
The University of Newcastle Teaching Hospital Librarians (Chair: Anne Robinson)

14.30-15.00 AFTERNOON TEA Sponsored by Serials Solutions

15.00-16.30 AFTERNOON SESSION Chaired by: Lisa Cotter

A practical demonstration of EBSCO’s A-Z Journal List (Larnich Harije, NSCCH, John Holgate, St George Hospital, and Arno Roosink, EBSCO) abstract slideshow
“I am your outreach librarian”: new ways of delivering services at the UNSW Library (Neil Hinsch and Kate Dunn. University of New South Wales) abstract slideshow
Closing Address (Lisa Cotter, Co-Convenor. NSCCH/University of Newcastle)

Posters
Posters will be on display throughout the forum, with presenters standing by their work during morning/afternoon tea and lunch breaks.

CCHILL out: evidence-based collection management (Donna Robertson and Mary Grimmond. NSCCH) abstract poster
Ryde Nursing Practice Network (Kenneth Joseph, Verena Hunt, and Valerie Elsmore. NSCCH) abstract poster
Virtual Reference Service using Meebo @ Katie Zepps Nursing Library (Kate Jonson, College of Nursing) abstract poster
Libraries Using Evidence – eblip.net.au : a top view from Down Under (Suzanne Lewis, NSCCH and Lisa Cotter, NSCCH/The University of Newcastle) abstract poster
Blogging the outback : the GWAHS Libraries Blog (Don Keast) presentation

Shifting Sands through Innovation - the Qatar Experience

2007-08-01T13:03:00.000+10:00

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Sponsored by Softlink

Karen Joc
Softlink

The Weill Cornell Medical College in Qatar (WCMC-Q) is a joint venture between Cornell University and the Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development. The Foundation’s premiere project is Education City, a multi-institutional campus which aims for progressive education, state of the art technology and cutting edge research. WCMC-Q is part of Cornell University, and the first American medical school to offers an American MD outside of the US. The college is housed in a state of the art facility which opened in 2002 and the college’s mission promotes the development and use of technology in this deliberately digital environment. WCMC-Q’s Distributed eLibrary directive is to provide both services and resources beyond the confines of the traditional library space and plays an integral role in contributing to the college’s mission.

This address will outline the experience, opportunities and the challenges of working as a medical librarian from within this deliberately digital environment. Some areas of discussion will include: the challenges of a start up environment; living and working in a developing country; idiosyncrasies of a diverse student population; the impact of the technological drive of the college on library services; librarian class attendance, clinical librarianship and outreach from beyond the library’s walls; the realities of virtual reference, roving reference, chat and IM and the role librarians play in curriculum integration and evidence based medicine.

EBLIP in the 2.0 world - reflective practice unlocking the door to innovation

2007-08-01T13:00:00.000+10:00

Lisa Cotter
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health /The University of Newcastle
Gillian Wood
NSW Health Department
SLIDESHOW (includes speaker notes)

OBJECTIVE
Two of the recent major challenges to traditional library practice have been evidence-based library and information practice (EBLIP) and Library 2.0, yet these concepts may be put at opposite ends of the innovation scale. EBLIP is concerned with using the best available evidence, and wherever possible – research evidence, to make informed decisions to achieve best practice. Library 2.0 on the other hand, challenges us to look beyond standard practice, “play”, and give new things a go (including the technological opportunities Web 2.0 has presented us). Is there a place for EBLIP in the brave new 2.0 world?

DISCUSSION
The barriers to fully engaging with new technologies are many. Arguably, the most challenging barrier to overcome is not financial, nor the continuing need to acquire new skills – but is the challenge of changing organisational culture and policy. Despite an innovative will, librarians must tackle the IT department before implementing many new services intended to be “where the user is, when the user is there” (Abram 2006). Pleas for support and offers of chocolate laden morning teas will (almost) never succeed alone. When conservative culture and policy are contested, while maintaining an open dialogue with IT departments, librarians must also substantiate proposals with evidence.

METHOD
A first step in compiling the necessary evidence is to establish a clear understanding of the issues faced. The MLA Task Force on Social Networking Software have recently undertaken a survey of its members investigating use of and attitudes towards Web 2.0 technologies. An initiative of Libraries Using Evidence - eblip.net.au and NSWHealth will see this investigation extended to Australian health librarians.

CONCLUSION
This presentation will discuss the relevance of evidence-based library and information practice in an environment enthused by the possibilities of Library 2.0. It will discuss one example of this interaction – a study looking for the evidence to reveal use of and attitudes towards Web 2.0 technologies.

Abram, S. (2006, January). Web 2.0, Library 2.0, and Librarian 2.0: Preparing for the 2.0 World. Retrieved August, 2006, from http://www.imakenews.com/sirsi/e_article000505688.cfm

The role of libraries in eHealth service delivery in Australia

2007-08-01T12:57:00.000+10:00

Sarada Rao
State Library of Queensland

BACKGROUND and OBJECTIVES
eHealth is an emerging service sector which has great potential to improve health care delivery to rural and remote communities in the world. Through the cost effective use of information and communication technology, eHealth also facilitates efficient health surveillance, and promotes health education and research. Despite the obvious need for eHealth services in Australia based on the challenges of distance and human resources, its utility has not been realized as yet. This paper discusses the key information resources and service required for efficient eHealth systems, and explores the potential role of the library and information management sector in strengthening eHealth service delivery in Australia.

METHODS
A literature search and review was conducted to identify previous and current initiatives in the health information sector towards provision or support of eHealth services. Major issues that influence the use of eHealth services were studied. Websites of national and international health service delivery organizations such as State Health Departments and the World Health Organization were explored to understand the nature and content of eHealth information service projects that are being implemented or are under development. In particular, relevant policy documents were analyzed to evaluate the role and contribution of the information management sector, and the application of similar principles in the Australian environment.

RESULTS
The key barriers to the use of eHealth services include confusing information resources from different providers with overlapping or competing interests, inadequate technology infrastructure, and inadequate capacity among information users. Case studies from Canada and several Portuguese speaking countries suggest that a comprehensive eHealth information service (eHealth library) could effectively address all these barriers to eHealth service delivery. A well designed portal with appropriate links providing reference clinical guidelines, patient information material, and research data, along with health administration details is an ideal eHealth information resource. Brazil has successfully implemented the “Virtual Health Library Station’, which provides all these services, as well as supports training and information exchange in an environment similar to ‘Web 2.0’.

CONCLUSION
Recent research has identified the ‘Australian rural eHealth paradox’, going on to cite the need for strengthening service delivery through several different sectors, without specifying the need for involving the information management sector. This paper clearly proves the central role of the library service in supporting eHealth service delivery. Important stakeholders including the medical profession, government health administration, research organizations, pharmaceutical companies and the general public should be consulted while developing a model eHealth information service. Pilot testing and research should be conducted to monitor and evaluate the implementation of these services to resolve the existing eHealth paradox, and improve health service delivery to rural and remote communities in Australia.

Revolutionizing Consortium Access with Athens Single Sign-on

2007-08-01T12:24:00.000+10:00

Robin R. Sewell
Arizona Health Sciences Library, University of Arizona
Shannon Sweeny
EBSCO Australia

OBJECTIVE
The Arizona Health Information Network (AZHIN) is a consortium of 34 member health services institutions which range in size from academic institutions to small medical clinics. The goal of this project was to improve access to resources on-site and off-site by using a single sign-on product and improve the security of the resources by implementing a password management system.

METHODS
In the past non-IP authenticated on-site and off-site access required AZHIN members to use a different username and password for each vendor’s products. Athens was selected for its ability to interact with vendors, provide single sign-on access to resources, and for its password and account management features. Resource access management through Athens permissions sets simplified any changes to the resources available and provided a way for organizations to use Athens authentication for resources they purchase separately. This implementation had several challenges related to the custom delivery of resources accessed through dynamically generated web pages and the use of a custom login method. Another challenge was the management of variations in URLs used by vendors for IP and Athens authentication, especially in the context of LinkSource, EBSCO’s link resolver.

RESULTS and CONCLUSIONS
Athens is currently in use by 27 AZHIN member organizations, having added over 2,000 users in one year. The existing vendor-based password system will be discontinued at the end of June. Three of the larger academic institutions use local proxy systems for authentication and are not using Athens. Many of the obstacles could have been over come by requiring all users to log into Athens regardless of there ability to IP authenticate. We chose to take the more difficult route in order to provide more seamless access to resources when ever possible.

How healthy is your blog?

2007-08-01T12:19:00.000+10:00

Nicky Hayward-Wright
Alzheimer’s Australia NSW
Slideshow: http://www.slideshare.net/NSWHLF2007/how-healthy-is-your-blog-nicky-haywardwright/

ISSUE
With the emergence of Web 2.0 technologies, libraries are creatively using various social software to engage clients or more easily capture clients attention; for example using a Weblog (blog) to promote new resources, services and events of a library. Whilst there is flexibility in some free blogging software, blog creators generally are limited in layout and design, and have to look at either add-ons or non-online methods of site monitoring, evaluation and promotion.

DISCUSSION
As creators using free blogging software are we being too quick in setting up our blogs and not paying attention to some of the more traditional guidelines associated with development and management of websites and intranets such as needs analysis, user analysis, metrics for site evaluation and the use of user-centred design principles?

The limitations of free blogging software means that we have to pay more attention to the principles of user centred design; seek out free software that allows us to monitor our site to better understand users and site usage, as well as adapting traditional marketing methods to promote our site.

In the face of user acceptance and take up of the new technology, do we have organisation acceptance? In order to get our IT departments or other key stakeholders on board, we have to be able to negotiate and influence.

CONCLUSION
In order to create a ‘healthy blog’, you need to ‘expand the Web 2.0 experiment’ by establishing guidelines that will ensure the creation of a user-centred site, which means adapting the more traditional tools and guidelines associated with website/intranet development, management and marketing for the Web 2.0 environment; creatively and smartly using various Web 2.0 tools; and negotiating and influencing to obtain organisational acceptance of your blog.

CRGH Medical Library Wiki: Improving staff communication and interaction to enhance user services

2007-08-01T12:03:00.000+10:00

Julia Philips and Kaye Lee
Concord Repatriation General Hospital Medical Library

BACKGROUND
The Medical Library at Concord Repatriation General Hospital has four full-time staff members - Library Manager, Reference Librarian, Document Delivery Officer and Library Officer, and a volunteer who assists ½ day a week. This team is involved in the development and implementation of a variety of projects to aid library clients, who comprise staff of both the hospital (a principal teaching hospital of the University of Sydney) and the wider Sydney South West Area Health Service, as well as students from a variety of other tertiary institutions.

Whilst staff meetings once every other month provide a framework to drive these projects and a time to discuss required topics such as occupational health & safety, security and quality, the introduction of a wiki to improve Library staff communications and interaction across all these areas seemed both timely and beneficial. With this in mind, the following research was undertaken.

OBJECTIVE
Development and use of a library-oriented wiki to enhance communication and interaction within the Library.

METHODOLOGY
1. Identify potential wiki applications, based on the following criteria:

Freely available
to prevent unauthorised access
Easy to use (WYSIWYG editing)
RSS and email updates for changes made
No extra software required to run the application
Runs on Windows
Stable and upgradeable
File based storage
Page Preview
Comments
Complex tables
HTML tag support
File attachments

2. Seek advice from SSWAHS Information Management & Technology (IM&T) in relation to any policy relating to use of wikis in the Area.

3. Implement preferred wiki on a trial basis.

4. Provide training in wiki use.

5. Survey users to measure usefulness of wiki in improving communication and interaction.

RESULTS

Potential wiki applications were identified using http://www.wikimatrix.org/ in conjunction with the previously identified criteria.
Two categories of wikis were identified; those externally hosted and available via the Internet and those internally hosted and available over LAN/WAN:

Externally hosted wiki applications:
o BrainKeeper http://www.brainkeeper.com/
o CentralDesktop http://www.centraldesktop.com/
o Metadot Wiki http://www.metadot.net/
o PBwiki http://pbwiki.com/
o SamePage http://www.etouch.net/
o Socialtext http://www.socialtext.com/
o Wikispaces http://www.wikispaces.com/

Internally hosted wiki applications:
o MoniWiki http://kldp.net/projects/moniwiki/
o Oddmuse http://www.oddmuse.org/
o PhpWiki http://phpwiki.sourceforge.net/
o PmWiki http://www.pmwiki.org/
o PukiWiki http://pukiwiki.sourceforge.jp/
o TWiki http://twiki.org/

An externally hosted wiki (PBwiki) was chosen as a pilot for the concept as it enabled a wiki to be set up very quickly and required minimal training time. This application was chosen from the short-list as the wiki implementor (JR Philips) had experience using this wiki elsewhere
Library staff have been trained in the use of PBwiki.
A survey to measure the usefulness of the wiki in enhancing communication and teamwork is currently being developed.
Advice has been sought from the CIO, SSWAHS to ensure that the externally hosted wiki is compliant with Area policies and IT requirements.
Depending upon IM&T requirements, it is recommended that PhpWiki, PmWiki and Twiki be trialled first in the event that an internally hosted wiki is required as they have the largest range of other features available out of the six listed.

CONCLUSION
The project has yet to be completed, but at this point the different sections of the pilot Internet-based wiki appear to be working well and we are able to share information through this medium.

The ease of use, popularity, and benefit provided by the trial wiki will be measured by the user survey to be carried out shortly.

Advice yet to be received from our CIO in relation to Area policy, will also determine whether we continue to develop our externally hosted wiki, or install and trial a locally hosted version.

Responding to the Future

2007-08-01T11:58:00.000+10:00

KEYNOTE SPEAKER Sponsored by Thomson Gale

Jennifer Peasley
Macquarie University Library

Macquarie University is currently undergoing a number of significant changes, including a review of the academic structure of the University, the establishment of a new medical school and planning for a new Library building. The challenge for Macquarie University Library is to focus on the future as well as the present – to anticipate the impact of these changes and the needs of current and future users in planning our service model, so that we can provide the services and support required.

One of the biggest challenges is planning for a new building which will not open until 2010: what environments will our users want to work in and how can we capitalise on technological developments to deliver quality services when, where and how our users need them? Working through the possibilities provides us with an opportunity to explore how we might structure and develop our workforce, ensure quality, and develop and trial new services and delivery methods, making use of Web 2.0 technologies. This paper will explore the potential requirements of our users, their physical and virtual environments and how the Library is planning to develop new approaches to service delivery to meet their needs.

Developing library services for the new Australian School of Advanced Medicine at Macquarie University

2007-08-01T11:43:00.000+10:00

Mary Simons & Karen Marks
Macquarie University Library

OBJECTIVE
To identify which library services will meet the evolving information needs of the Australian School of Advanced Medicine during 2007 & 2008. Specifically:

How can we develop services for clinical postgraduate students and academic/surgical staff?
How can we develop services for research postgraduate students and academic staff?
In what ways can we support the educational goals of the Australian School of Advanced Medicine?

Background to this study
The Australian School of Advanced Medicine (ASAM) at Macquarie University is a unique venture that will offer advanced subspecialty training for doctors. The School and the adjoining Macquarie University Private Hospital will open on campus in 2009, being the first of its kind in Australia. ASAM is modelled on the American Mayo Clinic principle of excellence in health care and life long learning, providing team interaction in education, research and clinical care. An advanced neurosurgery course will begin in 2007 and other subspecialties will be available from 2009. Students will also enrol in the Master of Higher Education (Medical Education) program at Macquarie University. The School’s Neuroscience Research Group and clinical programs will complement Macquarie University’s existing specialties in cognitive science, speech therapy and audiology.

METHODOLOGY
The following methodologies are being utilized to identify useful Library services:

Evaluation of Library Impact Statements (prepared by academics when proposing new courses) to determine key resources and services.
Assessment of feedback from the Research Group’s Library orientation session.
Analysis of focus group interviews with staff and students.
Analysis of individual interviews with staff and students.
Environmental scan and benchmarking.
Collaboration and networking with other universities and hospitals

Setting
This study is being carried out whilst the School and Hospital construction is underway. ASAM services are currently fragmented across the University campus and Dalcross Private Hospital. Library services need to be accessible from these settings.

Population
Clinical, educational and research staff and students of ASAM.

RESULTS
The information needs of the clinical, educational and research streams differ in ways that require varying levels and types of Library support. Library Impact Statements revealed that the Library holds several key online resources, however, there is a need for additional materials. Feedback from the orientation session and interviews revealed a lack of awareness of the Library’s print and online resources and its Document Supply service. Library tutorials and electronic guides for medicine have been recommended as a means of promoting self-sufficiency and life long learning.

CONCLUSION
The study so far has revealed key journal titles already held as well as gaps in both online and print resources that need to be addressed through an increase in Library funding.
The focus groups, interviews and orientation feedback have been essential for identifying relevant services and resources: plans for an e-Guide for Medicine, further orientation sessions and regular meetings with ASAM senior staff are underway as a result of staff feedback.

A regular online newsletter has been developed and further communication initiatives with ASAM are planned to identify key resources and services for this unique user group.

Librarians' story of the PDA Service at the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School

2007-08-01T11:40:00.000+10:00

INVITED SPEAKERS. Sponsored by OVID

Kaye Lasserre, William Chun and Lisa Kruesi
University of Queensland

The University of Queensland Library and the School of Medicine conducted the first major Australian trial of Personal Digital Assistants' (PDAs) use by medical students at the Rural Clinical Schoolduring 2003 and 2004. The trial became an ongoing PDA Service from 2005, and its role in enhancing medical education has been demonstrated by continued funding and senior management support.

The PDA Service has helped to provide key health information resources for students on rural placements. Adoption of the Service has addressed some of the equity issues caused by inadequate Information Communication and Technology (ICT) infrastructure beyond urban centres. Rural students' use of information at the point of care facilitates learning and establishes good practice for future clinical decision making.

This presentation will discuss the Rural Clinical School Librarians' story about the implementation of the PDA Service, the lessons learnt and why it was a component of "An Integrated Package of Innovative Rural Medical Education:Enhancing Student Outcomes and Increasing the Rural Medical Workforce", 2006 Carrick Award Winner for Australian University Teaching.

A practical demonstration of EBSCO’s A-Z Journal List

2007-08-01T10:00:00.000+10:00

Larnich Harije
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health
John Holgate
St George Hospital Library
Arno Roosink
EBSCO Australia

Due to licensing issues we at NSCCHS – Gosford and Wyong Hospital Libraries are not able to add our electronic journal holdings to our catalogue which we share with the University of Newcastle. Searching for a solution we decided to use EBSCO AtoZ. Around the same time John Holgate from St George Library also decided to take up the same option.

This will be a practical demonstration of the setting up and use of the EBSCO AtoZ list at Gosford Hospital Library and St George Hospital Library. Arno Roosink from EBSCO will answer questions

“I am your Outreach Librarian”: new ways of delivering services at the University of NSW

2007-08-01T09:55:00.000+10:00

Neil Hinsch & Kate Dunn
Library, University of New South Wales

OBJECTIVE
To describe innovative service delivery methods implemented in the University of NSW Library.

BACKGROUND
As one of Australia’s largest academic libraries, the University of NSW Library serves a community of 2300* academics, and 37,000* students supporting both their learning & teaching and research needs. In 2006, the Library restructured in an effort to build a stronger communication model with the faculties and a new method of delivering services to this community. The goal is to build a strong partnership between the Library and the academy, where the value of the Library and its offerings is understood and appreciated as being integral to achieving the University’s learning & teaching and research priorities.

*These figures are taken from the 2006 annual report

METHOD
Taking inspiration from a variety of service professions, the University Library has separated the distinct functions of service development, service delivery and communication. Specialist staff are assigned to innovation and new service development projects. Subject librarians are given ownership of relevant areas of the collection and the resultant services. Communication and delivery of these services is managed by a team of individual client contacts.

IMMEDIATE IMPACT
The response to this model amongst the academic community has been mixed, but primarily positive. The academy was used to seeing the Library primarily as a service centre for the undergraduate community and therefore the reassignment of professional services to support research represents a considerable change. Benefits demonstrated so far are an increased penetration into the academic community and therefore a greater awareness of our user requirements, and a consolidated approach to collection management.

NEXT STEPS
Future challenges involve:

Consolidating the way in which the Library offers value to our community
Implementing appropriate measures to record the impact of the model
Maturing the service towards a more targeted solutions delivery method

Virtual Reference Service using Meebo @ Katie Zepps Nursing Library

2007-07-31T12:33:00.000+10:00

POSTER

Kate Jonson
College of Nursing

Social software tools have become a popular choice for many libraries because of their availability, easy of use and affordability.

The Katie Zepps Nursing Library has recently implemented a virtual reference service using Meebo for its students, members and staff. Meebo is a free online messaging program which allows users to monitor multiple instant messaging accounts (AIM, Yahoo, MSN, Google Talk, ICQ or Jabber) through one interface. Also, embedded on our library contacts page is Meebome a widget which allows our users to chat with us without the need for having an instant messaging account.

The virtual reference service was established to provide our clients with additional means of contacting us no matter where they are located. Our clients only need access to the internet and can identify whether on not we are online by checking the status of our meebome widget or buddy name ‘askkatiezepps’ on their instant messaging program.

The instant messaging interface allows library staff to chat back and forth synchronously with clients just like in the tradition face-to-face reference interview. Links, files and now internet screens can also be shared using the new Meebo rooms. Meebo rooms is a new addition to the Meebo family which allows multiple users to chat together simultaneously.

My poster presentation will display our experience of implementing and managing Meebo as a virtual reference service. The benefits of and barriers to a small library implementing a virtual reference service, and a look at future developments will also be illustrated.

CCHILL out: evidence based collection management in the inter-library loan department

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POSTER

Donna Robertson & Mary Grimmond
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health

INTRODUCTION
Meeting our users’ needs is paramount in ensuring we are providing an effective library service. Having a collection management policy that is in line with our organisations goals and objectives as well as meeting our clients’ needs is also important. How are collection development decisions made?

Collection management processes usually rely on a mixture of the librarian’s expertise, client input and local knowledge. Is this approach efficient enough to ensure the collection is developed appropriately or could it be done in a more systematic and measured way?

BACKGROUND
Denise Koufogiannakis developed a model for evidence based collection management for her institution at the University of Alberta Libraries in Canada which involves combining collection management with evidence based practice. The Evidence Based Collection Management (EBCM) model was seen to be a more efficient way to manage the libraries’ collection development strategies and to provide collection managers with a more systematic analysis of data to ensure a more effective approach to collection development decisions.

Using the principles of evidence based practice [Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply and Assess] we can combine with the collection development process to ensure a more effective approach to collection-based decisions. This paper will discuss how EBCM can be applied in the area of inter-library loans (ILL).

METHOD
“CCHILL out” (Central Coast Health Inter Library Loans Order Unexpected Titles)

Traditionally libraries borrow ILL materials from fellow libraries to supplement their existing collections. These items are generally lent over a short borrowing period and then returned to the home institution. A large portion of ILL requests are recently published titles while others have been requested multiple times. Many libraries would have a process where staff can identify items that have been borrowed multiple times and would then recommend them for purchase, however this process needs to be formalised.

ASK: Why buy? When to buy?

ACQUIRE: Acquisitions criteria – publication date range, publications that align with our current Collection Management Policy

APPRAISE: Search the literature – are their examples/models that are adaptable to our institutions needs?

APPLY: Workflow procedures for all sections involved in process – ILL, Acquisitions, Cataloguing.

ASSESS: Evaluation criteria – tracking items purchased, patron feedback on project

CONCLUSION
Implementation of this approach to ILL is in the planning stages. We believe that using the requests of our clients, given that items requested are subject specific to your own organisation, would have to be of benefit to our collection as well as enhance our client satisfaction and collection-based decisions.

Combining the methods used above with the concept of evidence based collection development can only further enhance the processes as well as client satisfaction.

Reference
Koufogiannakis, D. (2007, 6-11 May). Establishing a model for evidence based collection management. Paper presented at the 4th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference, Durham, North Carolina, US. http://www.eblip4.unc.edu/papers/Koufogiannakis.pdf

Ryde Nursing Practice Network

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POSTER

Kenneth Joseph, Verena Hunt, and Valerie Elsmore
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health

Aim
To provide Ryde Hospital Nursing staff with a Web 2.0 site to disseminate information from Ryde Hospital Nurse Educators and Ryde Library Staff to be linked through the NSCCAHS Internet site for interactive information access.

Information links to include:

Nursing and Multidisciplinary Clinical Policy and Procedures: New and Revised – eg Transfusion Policy
OH&S issues for nursing staff
Changes to NSCCHS Forms - eg Patient consent forms and Patient Care Plans
Minutes of relevant meetings – eg Nursing Practice Committee
Orientation and Mandatory Training calendars with linked interactive booking spreadsheet for use by ward NUM
Staff Development Calendar linked to Application Form
Journal Club articles pertaining to Evidence Based Practice - Librarian and Nurse Educators (to include Literature Search Strategies and Relevance Evaluation Guide
Current Nursing Projects – eg Trial of new Baxter infusion pump, PUPP Survey, NM
Link to Library site for access to CIAP databases, Library catalogue, Literature Search and interlibrary loan forms

Objectives
Evidence from the medical literature (1) suggests that as nursing staff are time-poor it would benefit the target group’s information seeking behaviour to have a dedicated site which address all the above listed topics as identified by the site Nurse Educators and Ryde Hospital
Librarians. This comprehensive access point will improve information literacy leading to evidence based clinical practice and lifelong learning skills. Reduce the need for paper-based information updates and guidelines.

The aim is to facilitate speedy access from a single, interactive, easily accessed source within the wider comprehensive Area Health site.

Proposed Format
It is envisaged that a Wiki be developed by Library Staff in collaboration with Ryde Nurse Educators and IM&T staff to include the above identified topic areas under relevant titles. The site, to be named ‘Ryde Nursing Practice Network’, to be introduced by Ryde Nurse Educator via Groupwise dissemination with appropriate explanation and link.

Projected Outcomes
Ryde Nursing Staff will feel confident in their ability to access relevant information quickly and easily on a daily basis. Nursing staff will be able to remain up-to-date with Evidence Based Practices pertaining to issues related to their professional day-to-day patient care. Nursing staff will have access to Professional Development courses and Training timetables. Information regarding updates to Policy and Procedures will be easily accessed in a one-stop-shop format. Nursing staff will be able to respond interactively and immediately with Nurse Educators regarding issues of professional concern.

Nursing staff will be able to search databases linked to CINAHL, Medline. MIMS and Aust. Injectable Drugs Handbook. Library resources including the library catalogue for Books and Journals can be quickly consulted and location and availability ascertained. Literature Search formats and Interlibrary Loan forms can be filled in and e-mailed or faxed to Library staff for processing thereby eliminating the need for lengthy consultation or the face-to-face ‘information need’ interview.

Potential Obstacles and Challenges
Security issues, access would require Hospital ID Login and password; adequate time allocation to staff so as not to unrealistically increase workload; dedicated IT person for maintenance assistance for site.

Conclusion
After reaching agreement to the proposed initiative, including content and style sheet, by identified key information stakeholders, a realistic time-line needs to be drawn and a launch
date set.

References
1.Bertulis, R & Lord, J. Where there’s a way…there’s a will! The Royal College of Nursing’s needs survey of nurses and health professionals. Paper presented at: 3rd International Evidence Based Librarianship Conference; October 16-19, 2005; Brisbane, Australia

2. Clark, C. Exploring evidence-based information literacy. Paper presented at: 3rd International Evidence Based Librarianship Conference; October 16-19, 2005; Brisbane, Australia

3. Koufogiannakis, D. Effective methods for teaching information literacy skills to undergraduate students: what does the library research literature reveal? Paper presented at: 3rd International Evidence Based Librarianship Conference; October 16-19, 2005; Brisbane, Australia

4. Giustini, D; How Web 2.0 is changing medicine BMJ 333:1283-1284, 2006.

Libraries Using Evidence – eblip.net.au : a top view from Down Under

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POSTER

Suzanne Lewis
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health
Lisa Cotter
Northern Sydney Central Coast Health /The University of Newcastle

The poster was originally accepted for presentation at the 4th International Evidence Based Library and Information Practice Conference (EBLIP4, North Carolina, May 2007) to which ultimately, the authors were unable to attend. However, the NSW Health Libraries Forum 2007 provides an ideal opportunity to finally share this work with our peers.

This year marks the ten-year anniversary of the term “evidence-based librarianship”. In 1997 this concept began its ascent from a discussion among likeminded library professionals into the published literature. It has continued to rise through the profession to occupy a place in the mainstream and afford librarians an enhanced view of the landscape in which they make decisions.

Similarly, Down Under in Sydney, Australia, people have, for 75 years, crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge the traditional way – along the eight-lane carriageway. Around the same time that Jonathan Eldredge’s Hypothesis article introduced “evidence-based librarianship” (11:3, pp.4-7), another pioneer was establishing BridgeClimb – an exciting new challenge with a fantastic view from the top, climbing the Sydney Harbour Bridge via the steel arch. Today, EBLIP practitioners are like the BridgeClimbers – ready to seek new perspectives, take a different route and enjoy the journey as well as achieving the destination. Adventurous BridgeClimbers ascend/cross the steel arch with confidence, supported by a well engineered structure and strong foundations.

Libraries Using Evidence – eblip.net.au offers a similarly solid foundation of authoritative resources to support EBLIP practitioners as they seek different perspectives on their professional practice.

Committee

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Project Charter

Convenors
Suzanne Lewis
(02) 4320 3856
slewis@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Lisa Cotter
(02) 4320 3859
lisa.cotter@newcastle.edu.au

Project Management
Lisa Cotter
(02) 4320 3859
lisa.cotter@newcastle.edu.au

Program
Suzanne Lewis
(02) 4320 3856
slewis@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Poster Session
Ingrid Tonnison
(02) 4320 2090
itonnison@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Afterhours Program
Judy Warren-Smith (Accommodation)
(02) 4394 8269
jwarrensmith@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Ingrid Tonnison (Forum Dinner)
(02) 4320 2090
itonnison@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Registrations
Suzanne Reith-Wood
(02) 4320 3610
sreithwood@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Finance & Sponsorship
Suzanne Lewis
(02) 4320 3856
slewis@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Verena Hunt
(02) 9858 7758
vahunt@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Venue
Larnich Harije
(02) 4320 3858
lharije@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Publicity
Suzanne Lewis
(02) 4320 3856
slewis@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Lisa Cotter
(02) 4320 3859
lisa.cotter@newcastle.edu.au

Website Maintenance
Suzanne Reith-Wood
(02) 4320 3610
sreithwood@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Visitor Information

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Location Map
Welcome to the Central Coast
Getting Around Gosford Gosford City Council
Getting Around The Central Coast car hire and public transport
Accommodation

Attractions

Accommodation

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Bookings for accommodation should be made by individual delegates. Below are some suggestions for hotels convenient to the Forum venue. Check Wotif.com for special deals. There are many other accommodation options available on the Central Coast - check Central Coast Tourism for details.

DISCLAIMER - prices are provided as a guide only. Please confirm with the hotel when making your booking. Prices quoted are generally "government rate" or "best offered" as advised at time of enquiry.

Galaxy Motel 4 stars
26 Central Coast Highway (formerly Pacific Hwy)
Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 4323 1711

Government rate $98.10 (1 person per room) No minimum stay
Government rate $104.40 (2 people per room)

Approximately 25 minute walk to Gosford Hospital.

Gosford Motor Inn & Apartments 3.5 stars
23 Central Coast Highway
Gosford West NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 4323 1333
Email: gosford@gosfordmotorinn.com.au

Courtyard - single/double rooms $98.00 No minimum stay
Poolside - single/double rooms $104.00
Bayside - single/double rooms $110.00

Approximately 15 minute walk to Gosford Hospitial.

Gosford Palms Motor Inn 4 stars
7 Moore street
Gosford West NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 4323 1211
Email: info@gosfordpalms.com.au

Single room $110.00
Double room $120.00

Approximately 20 minute walk to Gosford Hospital.

Hotel Formule 1 2.5 stars
63 Central Coast Highway
Gosford NSW 2250
Telephone: (02) 43257692
Fax: (02) 43224084
Email: F5442-RE@accor.com.au

Rooms $59.00

Approximately 25 minute walk to Gosford Hospital.

Hotel Gosford 2.5 stars
Cnr Mann Street & Erina Street
Gosford NSW 2250
Phone: (02) 4324 1634
Email: info@hotelgosford.com.au

Single (no ensuite) $45.00
Twin/Double (no ensuite) $64.00
Double with ensuite $72.00

*NB.The hotel have offered a discount on these rates so when booking ask for Sharon Davis and the 'Gosford Hospital special rate'.

Approximately 10 minute walk to Gosford Hospital.

Quality Inn The Willows 4 stars
512 Pacific Highway
North Gosford, NSW, 2250
Phone: (02) 4328 4666
Fax: (02) 4328 5787
Email: info@thewillows.net.au

Queen Suites $130.00
Executive suites $175.00

Need car/taxi to travel to Gosford Hospital.

Dinner

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The Forum dinner will be held on Thursday 8th November from 6 pm at the Gosford Golf Club (Magnolia Room). The club is conveniently situated across the road from the Gosford Hospital Conference Centre. More details to follow in coming weeks.

Call for Posters

2007-05-10T17:20:00.000+10:00

see also the Call for Papers

Poster presentations provide an excellent opportunity for learning about innovative library practices, current research projects, or a channel to communicate ideas. By presenting a poster you will contribute to the Forum program and share the activities your library has been involved in without the pressure of formally presenting a paper.

The NSW Health Libraries Forum 2007 is an ideal venue for first-time paper/poster presenters. Use this friendly audience as a practice run before submitting to the 10th International Congress on Medical Librarianship. ICML 2009 is being held in Brisbane, Australia, in August/September 2009.

Consider presenting a poster, relating to the Forum theme "Focus on the User Environment: Techniques & Technologies". Suggestions for poster content include:

highlight a Web 2.0/Library 2.0 tool that you are using, or considering using in your library (eg. blogs, wikis, social tagging)
innovative ways to reach your clients
propose a potential collaboration/partnership between NSW health libraries
share new technologies that have made a difference to your users
share methods for effective client feedback
innovative service delivery - what is your library doing?
report upon a recent conference you have attended
has your library recently introduced a new service?

Poster Submission Guidelines
Abstract Submission
Submit an abstract (up to 500 words) by 30 June 2007 to cchref@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au.
Notification of acceptance will be made by 31 July 2007. Late submissions will be considered - please contact Ingrid Tonnison ASAP.

Exhibition
Posters will be on display throughout the 2 day event. Presenters will be encouraged to stand by their poster during morning/afternoon tea and lunch breaks to provide an opportunity to informally discuss their poster with forum attendees. A handout accompanying your poster is helpful to delegates who may wish to contact you after the event or read about your project in more detail.

Poster Size
Recommended size is 90x120cm.

ALIA Professional Development Scheme
ALIA members are eligible to collect points for presenting a poster under the ALIA Professional Development Scheme. This includes up to 2 points per hour in the Presentations and Papers or Informal Learning Activity categories.

Contact Details
For more information, please contact Ingrid Tonnison.
Ph. (02) 4320 2090
itonnison@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Handy Hints
These websites provide some handy hints about developing a poster.

American Library Association Poster Sessions
Department of Biology George Mason University.
Writing Guides Poster Sessions Colorado State University.
EBL3 Conference posters look for "Poster available here" to view example posters.

Call for Papers

2007-05-10T17:19:00.000+10:00

see also the Call for Posters

NSWHLF2007 invites submissions for contributed papers on topics including original research and innovative projects, particularly those using Web 2.0/ Library 2.0 technologies and techniques to reach the library users' environment.

The NSW Health Libraries Forum 2007 is an ideal venue for first time paper/poster presenters. Use this friendly audience as a practice run before submitting to the 1oth International Congress on Medical Librarianship. ICML2009 is being held in Brisbane, Australia, in August/September 2009.

Consider presenting a paper relating to the Forum theme 'Focus on the User Environment: Techniques & Technologies'. Suggestions for paper content include:

describe a Web 2.0/Library 2.0 tool that your library is using (eg. blogs, wikis, social tagging, podcasts)
innovative ways to reach client groups
collaboration/partnership opportunities between NSW health libraries
demonstrate new technologies that have made a difference to your users
share methods for effective client feedback
innovative service delivery
new services recently introduced by your library

Paper Submission Guidelines
Abstract Submission

Submit an abstract of up to 500 words by 30 June 2007 to cchref@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au .
Abstracts should be in the form of a structured abstract comprising the following sections: objective, method, results, conclusions. See the MLA website for more details on structured abstracts.
Notification of acceptance will be made by 31 July 2007.

Completed Paper Submission

The submission deadline for accepted papers is 1 November 2007.
Papers should follow APA Style Guidelines.
Papers should be no more than 20-25 minutes in length to allow time for questions.

ALIA Professional Development Scheme
ALIA members are eligible to collect points for presenting a paper, under the ALIA Professional Development Scheme. This includes 2 points per hour (including preparation time) in the Presentations and Papers category.

Contact Details
For more information contact Suzanne Lewis.
Ph. (02) 4320 3856
slewis@nsccahs.health.nsw.gov.au

Handy Hints
These websites provide some handy hints about writing and presenting papers.
enter link

Jessamyn West's 10 tips for presenters
Publish, not Perish: the art and craft of publishing in scholarly publishing
Colorado State University's Writing Guide: informative speaking
Publishing and Speaking - Library Success: a Best Practices Wiki

Venue

2007-05-10T16:59:00.000+10:00

Location
Forum Venue
Gosford Hospital Conference Centre
Holden St
Gosford NSW 2250
The Conference Centre (M12) is located on the second floor of the Hospital (near the Staff Cafeteria). Follow the signs from the Multi-Story car park 'E' (Levels 1 - 2 Visitor Parking) or car park 'A' (at the Main Entrance) see Map.

Dinner Venue
Gosford Golf Club Magnolia Room
Racecourse Road
Gosford NSW 2250
The Forum Dinner is conveniently located across the road from the Forum Venue.

Getting There
By Car
Gosford is approximately 76 kms north of the Sydney CBD. It takes about an hour and a half to drive from the CBD to Gosford. Directions coming soon. Ample parking is available - see below.

By Train
There is a regular train service between Gosford and Sydney. Gosford Railway Station is a short 5 minute walk to the Forum venue. Travel time from Central Station is less than 1.5 hours.
Train Timetable.

Courtesy Bus Timetable
Gosford Hospital operates a free courtesy bus between the railway station and the Hospital's main entrance in Holden Street. The service runs every 15 minutes between 8.00am - 11.15am and 12.00pm - 4.00pm

Parking
There is ample "pay and display" parking in a multistory car park located close to the Forum venue. Site map coming soon. A parking permission will be sent in the registration package. Display this with your parking receipt and park all day for the price of 4 hours ($4).

There is limited free parking in the surrounding streets however this fills up very early.

Getting Around

Taxi - Central Coast Taxis 131008 or 4337 3900
Busways timetable
Red Bus Services timetable
Train Timetable
Getting Around The Central Coast car hire and public transport

Theme

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On Thursday 8 and Friday 9 November 2007 health librarians from NSW and beyond will gather at Gosford on the Central Coast for what has become an annual forum - an opportunity to network, catch up, exchange ideas and be inspired in our professional practice.

At Westmead in 2005 we focused on ourselves, with sessions on professional development, career management and how to have fun at work. At St Vincent’s Hospital in 2006 we focused on the electronic information resources we purchase, catalogue, administer and use. At Gosford in 2007 we will be focusing on our users, in particular the techniques and technologies we can use to enhance and add value to the user environment.

Increasing numbers of library users inhabit a Web 2.0 environment both at work and outside work, as they discover and use social software in a collaborative, dynamic and interactive way. Dean Guistini’s recent editorial in the British Medical Journal (Volume 333, 23-30 December 2006, pp.1283-84) highlights the way in which Web 2.0 is changing medicine. “Information pushing devices”, like RSS feeds, permit continuous instant alerting to the latest ideas in medicine…. Multimedia tools like podcasts and videocasts are increasingly popular in medical schools and medical journals…. The notion of a medical wikipedia – freely accessible and continually updated by doctors – is worthy of further exploration. Could wikis be used, for example, as a low cost alternative to commercial point of care tools like UpToDate?”

However our users’ environment also comprises busy wards with not enough PCs, emergency departments with too many patients needing attention, increasing incidence of complex and chronic disease in the community, merged health services encompassing large geographic areas, continuing professional development and so on. As health librarians we need to engage with our users’ physical environment as well as their virtual environment, experimenting with and evaluating new approaches to outreach.

The organisers of the forum aim to have delegates leave with practical ideas that can be implemented in their own libraries to enhance their users’ environment. Contributions from librarians and those working in related fields, both within the health field and beyond, are welcome. Posters are encouraged, particularly as a professional development activity aimed at practitioners with little experience of conference presentations. This forum is an ideal opportunity to “practise” for the 10th International Congress on Medical Librarianship (ICML2009) to be held in Brisbane in 2009.

Sponsor logos

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