Using Organization Theory to Explore the Changing Role of Medical Libraries

This historical research review uses organization theory to describe and interpret the evolution of American hospitals, medical libraries, and the role of the professional librarian. Various organization theories are applied to explain changes in hospitals and medical libraries over time. The interaction between the organization and the environment as described in organization theory shaped the emergence of today\u27s information services. For readers unfamiliar with health sciences libraries, the study will provide a glimpse into the social forces that framed the development of this type of special library

Do Health Sciences Libraries and Librarians Have an Impact on the Cost of Health Care and Research? A Systematic Review

Objectives: The team worked on a systematic review to answer the question: Do health sciences libraries and librarians have any measurable (statistically significant) positive impacts on consumer health, the outcomes of medical care, the productivity of biomedical researchers, and the knowledge obtained by graduates of biomedical and health sciences training programs, and at what total cost? Methods: The team used a Google site to collaborate on the review. A spreadsheet was used to brainstorm keywords and list suggestions for subject headings. Databases searched included: PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, ERIC, LISTA, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. The team searched grey literature and conducted a citation search, and hand searched bibliographies and journal contents. Although the team preferred to use only research reports, the main inclusion criteria was articles that mentioned the cost factor of the library or librarian impact