Examples of Change and Practice in University-Affiliated Medical Libraries

Abstract

Medical sciences constantly conduct research on combating diseases, healing, developing treatment methods, preventing diseases, and increasing the quality of health. Medical education, which supports and fosters medical sciences, has a very long history and it ensures that well-qualified and competent physicians are trained in the medical faculties of universities. States pay particular attention to health services and education in their health policies so as to have healthy individuals. Today, it is inevitable for medical librarians to participate in clinical practice, take part in scientific research activities, support medical education, and take part in university hospitals as an integral part of the medical team, both in the delivery of medical education and in the provision of quality health care. Physicians, academics, students, and other healthcare professionals should receive a high-quality medical education, as well as obtain accurate, up-to-date, evidence-based information about their field in the most economical, fastest and easiest way. Medical libraries provide the evidence-based, medical information and documentation required in this field. The services offered in medical libraries and the processes of managing medical information obtained through their own information resources have unique features. In the current study, the information seeking behaviors of medical library users, the characteristics of the information they seek and the information services offered in these libraries were analyzed using the method of description and literature review. To present the exemplary information services practices of some important and large medical libraries both in Turkey and the world, their web pages were analyzed by their content, collection, design, services and innovations. The change of medical libraries in the 21st century and the role of medical librarians were also analyzed. Based on the results, it can be highlighted that besides offering information management, medical libraries offer new services, while assuming new roles and responsibilities by drawing on evidence-based medicine and technological developments.