Mixing up an Allied Heath Liaison Program:Ingredients for a Successful Allied Health

Collection Appetizer

Barbara Rochen Renner, PhDBarbara Rochen Renner, PhDLibrary Services Evaluation Specialist and Liaison, Allied Health SciencesLibrary Services Evaluation Specialist and Liaison, Allied Health Sciences

brrenner@email.unc.edubrrenner@email.unc.edu

Health Sciences LibraryHealth Sciences LibraryUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

MAC/MLA 2007 Annual MeetingMAC/MLA 2007 Annual MeetingOctober 2007, Baltimore, MDOctober 2007, Baltimore, MD

March, 2007 March, 2007

Librarian deployed for initial 3-4 month special Librarian deployed for initial 3-4 month special assignmentassignment

To conduct an environmental scan To conduct an environmental scan

• To explore the library support needs of the To explore the library support needs of the Department of Allied Health Sciences Department of Allied Health Sciences

• To train as a liaisonTo train as a liaison

Project BackgroundProject Background

School of Medicine: 27 departments served by 1 liaisonSchool of Medicine: 27 departments served by 1 liaison

Other liaisons assisted in AHS, upon request, to teach Other liaisons assisted in AHS, upon request, to teach classes and provide consultationsclasses and provide consultations

Not much known about status of department or of collectionNot much known about status of department or of collection

• Small amount of end-of-year funding available for collection needsSmall amount of end-of-year funding available for collection needs

• Specific materials had to be identified quickly in order to use Specific materials had to be identified quickly in order to use available funds available funds

Objective:Objective:

To initiate a collection development effort To initiate a collection development effort

for an underserved unit of the School of Medicine for an underserved unit of the School of Medicine

-- the Department of Allied Health Sciences – -- the Department of Allied Health Sciences –

prior to formal launch of a liaison programprior to formal launch of a liaison program

Collection Development Collection Development Project Methods Project Methods

Sent emails Sent emails to to Chair/Associate Dean Chair/Associate Dean & & 7 7 Division Heads seeking recommendations forDivision Heads seeking recommendations for

• Key materialsKey materials for purchase for purchase• Key web sitesKey web sites • Top 5 journalsTop 5 journals • Online book collections or titles Online book collections or titles

Follow-up emails sent to 3 non-respondents Follow-up emails sent to 3 non-respondents

@ 4 weeks@ 4 weeks

Key Materials RecommendedKey Materials Recommendedby Departmentby Department

19 books19 books 9 DVD’s9 DVD’s 1 VHS video1 VHS video 6 CD’s 6 CD’s 5 specialized software items 5 specialized software items

Boardmaker and SALT for Speech and Hearing Boardmaker and SALT for Speech and Hearing Sciences—under discussion Sciences—under discussion

Anatomy software, web sites, or tutorials with Anatomy software, web sites, or tutorials with radiographs and case correlationsradiographs and case correlations

18 web sites identified:18 web sites identified: to be incorporated into new specialty guides to be incorporated into new specialty guides

Example specialty guide…

Among “Top 5” journals were those thatAmong “Top 5” journals were those that

We did We did notnot have have (either electronically (either electronically oror in print) in print)

Adding electronically, if available, print if notAdding electronically, if available, print if not

We had in printWe had in print (but not electronically )(but not electronically )

Adding electronically, if available, print if notAdding electronically, if available, print if not

Among “Top 5” journals were those thatAmong “Top 5” journals were those that

Main campus Library (Main campus Library (notnot HSL) had in print HSL) had in print that we could that we could notnot add electronically add electronically

Policy generally precludes duplicationPolicy generally precludes duplication Exploring options Exploring options

We had “incidentally” electronicallyWe had “incidentally” electronically

Upgraded to stable electronic subscriptionUpgraded to stable electronic subscription

Non-Collection Development OutcomesNon-Collection Development Outcomes

Upon announcing the liaison program (June):Upon announcing the liaison program (June):

Liaison given immediate access to Chair and AdminsLiaison given immediate access to Chair and Admins

Chair expanded June Advisory Meeting to ½ day retreatChair expanded June Advisory Meeting to ½ day retreat

Hosted in the library Hosted in the library

Introduction of and presentation by liaison Introduction of and presentation by liaison

Tour of facilities; focus on technology enhanced spacesTour of facilities; focus on technology enhanced spaces

Following June Chair’s retreat:Following June Chair’s retreat:

Increased AHS use of facilities and servicesIncreased AHS use of facilities and services

Requests & invitations by division heads Requests & invitations by division heads

New requests for HSL course involvement New requests for HSL course involvement

Collaboration on HSL ExhibitCollaboration on HSL Exhibit

5050thth Anniversary of PT Program Anniversary of PT Program

Collection development undertaken Collection development undertaken prior toprior to launching a liaison program launching a liaison program

can be an effective way to…can be an effective way to…

build the collection build the collection

learn about unique needs learn about unique needs

allow liaison to build a positive partnership with key allow liaison to build a positive partnership with key faculty and administratorsfaculty and administrators

collect information to assist in decision-making collect information to assist in decision-making

launch a new liaison program on a positive note launch a new liaison program on a positive note