Special libraries最新文献

Total Quality Management (TQM) is a process which focuses on understanding customer needs and improving customer service and satisfaction. A TQM committee was created at the Devereux Foundation's Professional Library to assess user satisfaction and make recommendations for improving library services to better meet consumer needs. The committee distributed a satisfaction survey to 156 of the most likely library users and 84 (54%) were returned. Overall, survey results indicate that most consumers are satisfied with the materials and services provided by the Professional Library. Recommendations for improving library services and strategies for implementing these recommendations are discussed.

Development of a reciprocal multi-state shared resources network is described. The Basic Health Sciences Library Network (BHSL) is one the largest interlibrary loan networks free of direct charges to participants and any direct federal or state funding. Established in June 1986, BHSL started with 132 member libraries from three northeastern states. Current membership is 460 libraries in 10 states. Interlibrary loan activity for 1992 resulted in a collective cost savings of $592,672. This model of resource sharing can be applied to any group of libraries that access a common locator tool.

The Medical Library Center of New York, a cooperative library agency for the health sciences, developed a program to offer an electronic communications system (LIFENET) with access to the Internet for its members. Information on documentation and training as well as statistics on the subsequent use of the system and of the Internet are discussed in the article. Specific examples of how health science librarians are using the system include bibliographic verification, reference, research on integrated library systems, production of duplicate journal lists, and professional activities such as electronic mail and discussion groups (listservs).

As a gatekeeper to medical literature and a critical link in the delivery of information to physicians, the librarian's role raises the issue of the librarian's professional liability. The paper suggests several ways in which liability may attach to the librarian or the librarian's employers. Although the librarian's personal risk is negligible, the physician's exposure due to ineffective library work is substantial since the courts have held that a physician must keep abreast of progress in his field. Librarians can also become associated with professional liability actions as part of a case against a physician or hospital through the legal doctrine of vicarious liability. The paper concludes by suggesting several proactive steps for health sciences librarians to pursue to insulate themselves from professional liability and to insulate physicians and institutions from vicarious liability.

The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) currently requires healthcare institutions use specific, criteria-based evaluations to measure employee performance. These evaluations must be closely linked to each employee's position description. This paper discusses the revision of the library manager's position description and correlating criteria-based performance evaluation to more closely meet JCAHO requirements. The paper uses a case study featuring Chelsea Community Hospital Medical Library, Chelsea, Michigan.

"Quality Assurance" (QA) is a practical tool for library management, a link in the library's relationship with administrative decision makers. Instituting or refining a QA program takes into account formal and informal methods. Described are one library's program and problem-solving model, the role of others in the library's program, types of recordkeeping, and integration of the library program with organizational QA. Positive results include participation in management-level activities and improvement in quality and delivery of services and products. Ten suggestions are made to begin a QA program.