Health Sciences Patron Preference for Library Spaces: A Multisite Observational Study.

Health sciences libraries are often challenged to make decisions regarding physical space allocation without quantitative data to support specific user preferences. This multisite, longitudinal study sought to answer the following questions related to academic health sciences libraries: (1) Which library spaces are popular with health sciences patrons? (2) How does time of day and allocated seating space affect patron choices? (3) What similarities and differences occur in space usage across four different health sciences libraries? Results suggest health sciences libraries must develop a nuanced understanding of their patrons' preferences to best serve patrons' needs regarding space allocation. Libraries can benefit from these types of methodological studies that target specific populations, supporting more informed space allocation decision making.

Extreme makeover: library orientation for postgraduate dental residents.

Bibby Library at the University of Rochester provides a library orientation to new post-graduate dental students. The original class utilized a lecture format and included content that was no longer relevant. Students were bored and did not retain the information. This article describes the design and implementation of a new orientation class. The class includes a series of exercises designed to familiarize students with pertinent resources. Student response to the class and implications for the library are discussed.

A survey of collection development for United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) preparation material.

OBJECTIVE: The research sought to ascertain medical and dental libraries' collection development policies, evaluation methods, purchase decisions, and issues that relate to print and electronic United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) and National Board Dental Examination (NBDE) preparation materials. METHODS: The investigators surveyed librarians supporting American Association of Medical Colleges (AAMC)-accredited medical schools (n = 58/125) on the USMLE and librarians supporting American Dental Association (ADA)-accredited dental schools (n = 23/56) on the NBDE. The investigators analyzed the data by cross-tabulating and filtering the results using EFM Continuum web survey software. Investigators also surveyed print and electronic USMLE and NBDE preparation materials from 2004-2007 to determine the number of publications and existence of reviews. RESULTS: A majority of responding AAMC libraries (62%, n = 58) provide at least 1 electronic or online USMLE preparation resource and buy an average of 11.6 print USMLE titles annually. Due to a paucity of NBDE print and electronic resources, ADA libraries bought significantly fewer print resources, and only 1 subscribed to an electronic resource. The most often reported evaluation methods for both populations were feedback from medical or dental students, feedback from medical or dental faculty, and online trials. Some AAMC (10%, n = 58) and ADA libraries (39%, n = 23) libraries reported that no evaluation of these materials occured at their libraries. CONCLUSIONS: From 2004-2007, publishers produced 45 USMLE preparation resources (total n = 546) to every 1 NBDE preparation resource (total n = 12). Users' needs, institutional missions and goals, financial status, and official collection policies most often underlie decisions to collect or not collect examination preparation materials. Evaluating the quality of examination preparation materials can be problematic due to lack of published reviews, lack of usability testing by libraries, and librarians' and library users' unfamiliarity with the actual content of examinations. Libraries must integrate faculty and students into the purchase process to make sure examination preparation resources of the highest quality are purchased.

End user searching at Indiana University School of Dentistry: tailoring a program for a specific user group.

While many librarians support the concept of end user searching, they fear that large costs will be incurred with the introduction of such a program. This article describes an economical end user training program which was developed at the Indiana University School of Dentistry. End user training at IUSD is fully self-supporting and has been tailored to meet the needs of a very specialized user group.

Profile, data, and management of two learning resource centers, 1970--1978.

Eight years' data have been collected in the operation of learning resource centers (LRCs) for medical and dental students at the Medical College of Virginia Campus, Virginia Commonwealth University. Data present evidence of high utilization of facilities and materials, including the successful use of small group cluster carrels. Management concepts and strategies to account for the data are identified and the LRC profile discussed for an understanding of how the strategies are implemented. These management concepts--responsiveness to students, interaction with faculty, and delivery of coordinated service--are transferable to other institutions and serve as guidlines for efficient management of LRC space, staff, equipment, and acquisition in support of medical and dental school curricula.