Delivering the best content is achieved through the innovation and competencies of library professionals who leverage technologies to benefit their constituents. The result is excellent knowledge services. This field guide is organized in chapters that are aligned with modules of the HKSC Model Template.

The HKSC Field Guide is laid out in a linear progression of activities, with simple commentary to encourage the reader’s thinking toward eventual outcomes and changes that are required to make a transition from a library setting to a Healthcare Knowledge Services Center (HKSC) operation. It is expected that the successful manager will make several passes through the entire guide, gaining a better understanding of all the pieces that must be in place for a strategic and successful plan.

Each module/chapter provides descriptions to explain the module theme and to share ideas on how to proceed with the process. Following descriptions and guidance is a worksheet for taking notes and a checklist of tasks. The intent of each worksheet is to focus on a specific data collection, a strategic planning activity, and/or to note details describing required resources. Chapters conclude with a checklist for you to sign off on for tasks considered and/or completed. Some forms may not be completed until multiple passes have been made through the guide; managers are encouraged to refine and hone activities in fine-tuning their work. A separate document (in MS Word format) supplies both worksheets and checklists for you to edit electronically –or- to create separate editable documents in modular fashion.

In 2009, the Subcommittee began to shift focus from library advocacy towards a new strategy: a 5-year plan to assist hospital libraries with the transition to healthcare knowledge services centers (HKSCs) within their institutions.

Presented at the NAHSL/NY-NJ MLA Conference, Uncasville, Conn., October 31, 2011.

In 2009, the Subcommittee began to shift focus from library advocacy towards a new strategy: a 5-year plan to assist hospital libraries with the transition to healthcare knowledge services centers (HKSCs) within their institutions.

Presented at the Midwest Chapter, MLA/IHSLA Annual Meeting, Indianapolis, October 9, 2011.

Table of contents:

• Sample Mission Statements: Draft your library’s Mission Statement from the sample drafts; samples are categorized by hospital type
• Sample Goals and Objectives: Draft your library’s goals and objectives from either the short-term (one-year) or long term. Always try to correlate the library’s goals and objectives with those of the institution
• Tips for Preparing an Annual Report: Use these tips for writing an annual report, demonstrating the value of the library program to hospital administration
• Sample Annual Report: Draft an annual report of the library function for hospital administration by making use of this sample
• Research/Literature Search Request Form: Capture the necessary information to perform literature searches and responses to reference questions. Completed form also provides librarian with record of resources used
• Foot Traffic, Door Count, Library Activities Form: Use these forms to count foot traffic, computer activity, and other types of library tasks
• Library Statistics and How to Report Library Activities: Use these forms (weekly and monthly) to capture a representative picture of the library's activities; and to report them to senior hospital administrators
• List of Suggestions for Expanding Use of Library Services: Refer to this list for suggestions to expand the use of library services
• Library Scope of Service Checklist: Use this checklist as a framework to create a Scope of Service for a hospital library. A “Scope of Service” is a document that concisely describes “who you serve” and “how you serve them”. Hospital administrators may require a Scope of Service for their departments to assist with surveys conducted by The Commission (formerly JCAHO)
• Selected Bibliography on Promoting Hospital Librarianship: Refer to this selected bibliography for articles and books to help you promote the library, offering suggestions for new services, as well as fulfilling your mission statement, goals and objectives

Methods: The committee held lengthy discussions on the needs of hospital libraries in such areas as staffing, budget, support/advocacy, and marketing. From these discussions, it was determined that the committee would develop two toolkits: (1) a Hospital Librarian Orientation Toolkit that offers information from both regional and state-specific resources and (2) a Hospital Library Promotional Toolkit that provides a practical approach to promoting libraries in a hospital setting. A third function of the committee was to develop and execute a methodology for providing state and regional support to libraries in institutions that are planning to hire, downsize, or eliminate the librarian or library services. The methodology for providing support to endangered libraries has been developed, and testing has been ongoing.

Results: The Hospital Librarian Orientation Toolkit has been completed and delivered to several dozen institutions that have provided evaluations and suggestions for revisions. The Hospital Library Promotional Toolkit was completed in April 2007. A sample of both toolkits will be on display.

Presented at the Medical Library Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, May 2007.

Methods: In 2008, a study was conducted to determine the value of hospital libraries in the New England region. Solicitations for regional participants occurred during May. Twenty-one participants volunteered, constituting equal distribution, both in location (per state) and size (licensed beds). Participants were mailed packets containing a list of scripted questions to pose to hospital administrators, along with interview tips. From June through August, participants conducted interviews with key hospital administrators from their institutions. In October, participants were invited to one of two focus groups to discuss their interview experience with other librarians who participated in the study. Qualitative analysis of compiled data from the focus groups yielded a list of common themes. Results were shared in a report, and a presentation was delivered at the annual meeting of one of the region’s state health sciences library organizations, in April, 2009.

Results: Both groups of librarians participating in the focus groups saw value participating in the study, although the tone of the two groups was somewhat different. The first focus group could be characterized: positive, upbeat, quick paced, and most of the librarians knew their interviewees. This may also have inserted some bias into the mix. On the other hand, the second focus group could be characterized: disappointed, not very positive, and most of the librarians did not know their interviewees.

Conclusions: Six common themes were identified from the focus groups: (1) what people say about the library does influence the administrators responsible for the funding; (2) administrators saw there was a value in librarians serving on committees; (3) the library has value in terms of education, but not in administrator decision making; (4) administrators have difficulty measuring the value of the library beyond numbers; and (5) statistics do matter.

Presented at the Medical Library Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, May 23, 2010.

Presented at the Massachusetts Health Sciences Library Network (MAHSLIN) Annual Meeting, Waltham, MA, April 24, 2009.

This webinar explains knowledge management and introduces a model template for a Healthcare Knowledge Management Center.

In 2009, the Subcommittee began to shift focus from library advocacy towards a new strategy: a 5-year plan to assist hospital libraries with the transition to healthcare knowledge services centers (HKSCs) within their institutions.

Presented at the Medical Library Association Annual Meeting, Minneapolis, MN, May 17, 2011.