Building Health Sciences Library Collections: A Handbook provides readers with an accessible, in-depth reference for building their library's collection. Designed for all librarians, whether new or experienced, to aid in the bibliographic selection of a variety of materials in different formats

Introduces and defines the documentation and decision making process in collection development, explores organizational models for collection development in health sciences libraries, and describes rationales and methodologies of assessing health sciences library collections. Also discusses the relationship of collection development and assessment to other library functions and addresses the budgeting process. Includes example policies and a glossary. For librarians in all types of health science libraries, and for use in library school classes in medical librarianship and collection development. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Virtual services have been part of health sciences libraries for a long time in various forms, including the provision of reference and research services via email or chat, availability of online instruction, access to electronic materials, and the curation of virtual research guides. But when the COVID-19 pandemic forced many libraries to close their doors and pivot to virtual services almost overnight. Moving all services remote, even for just a short time, did highlight what worked well and what did not. The situation increased visibility of these services and made patrons more aware of what was available, perhaps making them more likely to expect and use those services in the future. In some ways, the pandemic showed us ways in which virtual services could even be better than in person services for providing prompt patron services. The situation increased visibility of existing services, making users more aware of what was available, and revealed gaps and needed improvements in virtual services. In this book copublished by the Medical Library Association, librarians from academic to hospital health sciences libraries, from rural to urban areas, and across a range of service specialties provide blueprints and best practices for building and maintaining sustainable virtual services in health sciences libraries. Each chapter in this volume addresses aspects of providing virtual services in information and access services, reference and instruction, collections, and clinical services written by contributors who have been involved in this work in their own libraries. Whether you are just beginning an implementation, assessing and refining current offerings, or strategizing for sustainability and looking to the future, this book will provide practical advice, tools, and considerations for maximizing user engagement and satisfaction with virtual library services and resources.

This comprehensive textbook of health sciences librarianship provides the library student and new librarian with the background and skills necessary to handle day-to-day activities and provide quality services in a health sciences library or a more general library serving students and practitioners in the health professions. The book has 16 chapters, each authored by an experienced medical librarian and is are organized logically into 4 sections: The Profession, Collection Services, User Services, and Administrative Services, Each chapter contains photographs, figures, tables, and charts illustrating the essential concepts introduced. Overseen by a 3-member editorial board of leading professors in medical librarianship programs, this authoritative text provides students, beginning, and experienced librarians with a comprehensive overview of state-of-the-art medical librarianship.

This books presents firsthand experiences and thoughts of librarians on the transformation of health sciences library spaces. They provide insights into planning, budgeting, collecting, and integrating user feedback, collaborating with leadership and architects and thriving in the good times and the tight times.