Dual Roles Librarians Face
Joy Kennedy has written two stellar articles that reflect the dual role hospital librarians might have today–be efficient, technically-savvy and practical managers of their library and yet be aware of and sensitive to the image they reflect and the emotional and spiritual needs of all their users–both patients and their families and also the doctors, nurses and healthcare providers who try to get them well. Joy states that it is not an either/or kind of role these days. Hospital librarians need to become adapt at both roles.
Joy Kennedy is both the librarian for the Professional Library and the librarian for the Consumer Health Resource Library at the Northwest Community Healthcare’s Health Resource Library in Arlington Heights, IL. Her recent publications can be found in the Journal of Hospital Librarianship, Vol. 6 No. 3 which is now on the web in prepublication.
Here’s an abstract from the article “Risk Analysis of an Electronic Journal Collection” in the Journal of Hospital Librarianship, Vol. 6 No. 3, pages 55-64.
The decision-making process to move a library’s periodical subscriptions from print to electronic versions involves a careful analysis of the risks involved as well as the benefits to the library and the institution. The benefits of electronic journals to a library include easy access to journal contents throughout the institution, completeness of journal contents, availability of supplemental, electronic-only contents, space savings, time saved from elimination of journal processing, and no need to bind journal back issues. Some of the risks involved in electronic journal collection development are lack of continuing control over access to content, embargo of current content, and varying content of journal packages. There is increased reliance on electric power and Internet service for journal contents with electronic journals. Analysis of the risk involved in an electronic journal collection involves a thorough analysis of the institution’s tolerance for risk, the library’s mission and the availability of technical support for electronic access within the library and the institution.
She has also contributed to the column Charting Consumer Health, an article called “The Healing Library,” on pages 65-72. Joy states that this article is “quite different and reflects my interest in sharing inexpensive tips for consumer and patient information librarians to create a more healing environment for their libraries. I have had people tell me that they would like to have a more inviting environment for their users but lack the money to do so.” Here is a preview of the article:
Simple, inexpensive changes in consumer health or hospital library environment can create a “healing space,” a place where nature, music, art and light contribute to the support and well-being of patients, families and hospital staff. Evaluate the reference desk to make it more approachable and friendly. Strive to serve the emotional and spiritual needs of users as well as their informational needs.
