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This blog is created to raise awareness about the importance and value of libraries among the people of our country, special importance is given to exhibit contribution of health science librarians in health and social care within institutions and in nation building.
The health science librarians provide information resources to support health care. They encourage widespread use of health information among doctors, medical students, nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, social workers and researchers.
The technological advancement has enabled libraries to move beyond the four walls of a building, as a result, we, the librarians strive to meet the health information needs of a larger community and try to amend health information delivery at every region, so that people live better, healthier, happier and more productive lives.

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Monday, December 9, 2013

Job Profile of a medical librarian


I have tried to list in this blog posting about the various tasks that I have performed/performing OR may perform in the  library. 

Job Profile:

Administrative work

  • Involved in  planning, administrative and budgetary functions within the library in accordance with the research and educational mission of the center
  • Created a draft library manual, covering various rules, instructions, polices, procedures  and standards regarding selection and purchase of books (GFR-35), journals, membership rules, etc. also described about various other library operations, services and facilities of the library
User services
  • Developed Open Public Access Catalogue (OPAC) using e-Granthalaya library management software for automation, carried accessioning, classification, cataloging of books and other library materials  
  •   Helped faculty and doctors in the identification and selection of different types of resources
  •  Categorized and organized collections based on format (Print, CD-ROM) and material types viz. reports, monographs, journals, books, gifts, government publications.
  •  Also, created a separate excel file and print file of books, thesis and dissertations received at the center
  • Informed faculty members and other users about the availability of new books, journals received in the library and apprise them about news items that are published in news papers especially those which are based on  alcohol and drug abuse treatment
  • Facilitated timely delivery of journal articles request received from faculty members and also  document request received from librarians of other medical institutions
  • Provided prompt replies to various queries that are received through e-mails and social networks
  • Issued library clearance certificate to doctors, residents and employees of the centre
  • Maintained various services viz. reference, issue-return, photocopying, current awareness, article request etc.
  •  Facilitated solution to troubleshooting problems related to journals access
  •  Invited books recommendation list etc. from the faculty and staff
  •  Sent reminders to library members requesting them for timely return of library documents etc.
  •  Promoted access to library resources through institutional intranet access via virtual private network (VPN) provided by computer facility
  •  Carried other duties assigned by Officer In charge, Library and The Chief, NDDTC.
Technical services and miscellaneous tasks:
  • Conducted literature search on Google Scholar, PubMed and other databases informed the faculty members about the latest research in their field
  • Developed presentations on PubMed, and Information Literacy covering various search and retrieval strategies etc
  • Through social networks sensitized general public and doctors about the changing role of libraries and librarians in education and in medical education more specifically
  •   Encouraged students to submit research works, working papers, projects to the library electronically for easy facilitation of knowledge management tasks
  • Compilation of educational materials prepared by NDDTC faculty members, resident doctors, separately viz pamphlets, leaflets prepared, journal club-presentations. (X)

Professional activities:
  •  Built professional networks over the social networking sites, created importance of diverse library events and provided remote services, such as the virtual reference services,
  •  Represented the NDDTC Library on various platforms  
  •  Provided orientation to visitors informing them about library collection, services, and facilities and giving them an insight to instructional and learning technologies of the center. 

Overall,  librarians are involved in various administrative works (managing staff, resources, services, etc.), creating better user services, carrying out technical and miscellaneous tasks. They are involved in full-filing institutional assignments, professional activities and research. They do so much work and get little and many medical librarians suffer because of their poor position and status

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