Study to assess the compensation and skills of medical library professionals relative to information technology professionals.

PURPOSE: The study seeks to determine how medical library professionals performing information-technology (IT) roles are compensated and how their positions are designed compared to information technology staff in their institutions. METHODS: 550 medical library directors in hospital and academic medical libraries were surveyed. The data was then compared to survey data from other compensation studies of the IT industry. RESULTS: There is a gap in compensation between medical library professionals and IT professionals performing similar functions using information technology. Technology-intense library jobs are compensated at higher levels than more traditional jobs. CONCLUSIONS: To compete with IT salaries, managers of medical library professionals will need to be ever more cognizant of the employment practices of IT professionals in nonmedical library disciplines. It is typically in the medical library's best interest to ensure that IT-related jobs, accountabilities, and capabilities of the medical library are known and understood by others, especially in the human resources and information technology staff departments.

The Health Sciences and Human Services Library: "this is one sweet library".

The opening of the Health Sciences and Human Services Library at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, in April, 1998, was a highly anticipated event. With its unique architecture and stunning interior features, it is a signature building for the university in downtown Baltimore. The building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, but has a warm, inviting atmosphere making it a focal point for the campus community. Its highly functional, flexible design will serve the staff and users well into the twenty-first century.

The building-planning process: tips from the UMAB experience. University of Maryland at Baltimore.

The University of Maryland at Baltimore (UMAB) is in the midst of planning a new health sciences library/information services building! The planning process for a new health sciences library is described, including the components of the process and the planning team. The UMAB planning experience, with thirteen tips for a successful process, are presented.

Building the library/information center of the future.

Changes in the mission, roles, and infrastructure of academic health sciences libraries pose an enormous challenge to those designing and planning new library buildings. The library will be judged by its ability to respond to changing information dissemination patterns, changing missions, technologies not yet contemplated, and curricular trends, notably the rise of informatics and problem-based learning. Key questions are posed; the answers will shape library building now and in the future.

Planning the health sciences library: a new building for information services.

Planning for a new Health Sciences Library at the University of Maryland at Baltimore extended over more than 15 years. The program plan was created through an interactive process with the architects, involving all the staff from the library and computing/communications groups, now together in a umbrella organization known as Information Services. The layout for the new building was developed to promote interactions and to integrate staff and services on each floor.

Integrated Academic Information Management Systems (IAIMS). Part III. Implementation of integrated information services. Library/computer center partnership.

Information technologies are changing the traditional role of the library from that of a repository of information to that of an aggressive provider of information services utilizing electronic methods. In many cases, the library cannot realistically achieve this transformation independently but must work with the computer center to reach its objectives. Various models of the integration of libraries and computer centers are thus emerging. At the University of Maryland at Baltimore the Health Sciences Library and the Information Resources Management Division have developed a partnership based on functional relationships without changing the organizational structure. Strategic planning for an Integrated Academic Information Management System (IAIMS) acted as a catalyst in the process. The authors present the evolution of the partnership and discuss current projects being developed jointly by the two units.

EARS: Electronic Access to Reference Service.

Electronic Access to Reference Service (EARS) is a front end to the Health Sciences Library's electronic mail system, with links to the online public catalog. EARS, which became operational in September 1984, is accessed by users at remote sites with either a terminal or microcomputer. It is menu-driven, allowing users to request: a computerized literature search, reference information, a photocopy of a journal article, or a book. This paper traces the history of EARS and discusses its use, its impact on library staff and services, and factors that influence the diffusion of new technology.

Development of criteria and procedures for appointment, promotion, and tenure of library faculty in an academic health sciences library.

A subcommittee of the Appointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee was appointed to develop a document establishing procedures and criteria for the appointment, promotion, and tenure of library faculty at the Library of the Health Sciences, University of Illinois. The subcommittee analyzed the library's objectives within the academic setting and developed guidelines to enhance individual and organizational contributions. Early and regular evaluation of library faculty was emphasized. Skills required to implement library participation and support of education, research, and public service programs were categorized. A mechanism for review and amendment of the document has been established.