Making friends with researchers @ Oxford

Nia Wyn RobertsOutreach LibrarianUniversity of Oxford Health Care Libraries

Introduction

Outreach librarians @ HCL Development of outreach service for

academic researchers in public health and primary care

Challenges / benefits

Outreach librarians @ HCL

Mid 1990s – 2005: clinical / outreach librarian projects

2006/2007: refocusing of library services towards outreach

2009: 7 librarians with outreach as part of

their role Each serving 3-4 clinical areas

Outreach librarian @ Old Road Campus

Equal mix of clinical and academic departments:

Clinical: Cancer, laboratory medicine & radiology

Academic: Public health, primary care, cancer

research & molecular medicine

Public health and primary care:Building on strong foundations

History of close working relationships

Library based at the centre of a research building

Moved from site librarian to outreach librarian

Working with Public Health

Informal approach Getting to know people Building on existing relationships

Making the most of opportunities MSc in Global Health

Unique selling points Reference Management

Current work with Public Health

Integrated into teaching for MSc in Global Health Induction, EBM skills teaching, support

for dissertations Support for Systematic Reviews

1-2-1 teaching, planning and searching for SRs and HTAs, reference management expertise

Current awareness Updates for long-term clinical trials

Working with Primary Care

Considered and planned approach 3 month pilot project in 2005:

Awareness raising from departmental head

Attendance at groups meetings Needs assessment in 2006

Interviews with key researchers and group leads

Result of needs assessment

Help with electronic resources: Improve access Training for new interfaces

Support for new researchers Structured programme on searching skills

and reference management Support for systematic reviews

Advice and searching Help with funding bids

Current work with Primary Care

MSc in Evidence Based Health Care Responsible for information skills

content of modules Information skills teaching & support

Support for new researchers Contract staff, visiting academics,

placement students… Introduction to resources @ Oxford,

searching skills & reference management

Current work with Primary Care

MaDOX Information specialist for the horizon

scanning team Contribute to rapid reviews and work

planning Support for systematic reviews

Diabetes and Vascular Disease Group Support for clinical trial development Contribute to systematic reviews

Challenges

Takes time to build up relationships Moving the library Managing expectations Accommodating different working

styles Balancing conflicting priorities

Benefits

Ability to tailor services to needs of researchers

Following projects through to an end product

Interesting work and people No chance of getting bored Opportunities for professional

development

Any questions?