Making friends with Oxford Nia Wyn Roberts Outreach Librarian University of Oxford Health Care Libraries
Introduction Outreach HCL Development of outreach service for academic researchers in public health and primary care Challenges / benefits
Outreach 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 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 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 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?