1. Specialist Libraries and Clinical Librarians
Pushmi-Pullyu:
Specialist Libraries and Clinical Librarians

2. Anatomy of a Pushmi-Pullyu
Clinical Librarians
Specialist Libraries
Heads pointing in different directions - one side doesn’t always know what the other is doing
Shared body indicates shared aims
Which way are we heading?

3. Pushmi-Pullyu
In what ways might the growth in Specialist Libraries affect Clinical Librarian services?
Are we duplicating efforts and pulling in different directions?
Is there room for collaboration to mutual benefit?

4. Aims of session What is a Specialist Library and how do they work?
Similarities and differences between the two services
Group discussion of the issues, aiming to generate:
Ideas for future collaboration

5. Background to Specialist Libraries
Contract with NLH
Editorial Board/Steering group
Project team/Clinical Lead
All follow Specialist Libraries’ handbook
Content Development Strategy
Taxonomy
Communication Strategy
RMS system
Adding core records – secondary evidence and guidance
Annual Evidence Update
Providing a portal for information in a specialist area

6. The same or different? Similarities: Common aims Saving time for user
Promotion of high quality evidence
Encouraging integration of best evidence into practice

7. The same or different? Differences: Virtual vs personal
The importance of the personal touch
Specialised help with audit, guideline development, systematic review searching
Focussed, subject specific help vs a systematic approach to gathering secondary evidence on all topics

8. Group activity:
What issues have arisen for Clinical Librarians from the Specialist Libraries coming into existence?
What benefits might there be from increased collaboration between Clinical Librarians and Specialist Libraries?
What methods could be used to facilitate greater collaboration on both sides?

9. Aim for the future:
Pulling together!
Sara Clarke