INTEGRATING HEALTH-SCIENCES LIBRARIANS INTO BIOMEDICINE

Vanderbilt University Medical tenter (VUMC) developed a model training program to prepare current and future health sciences librarians for roles that are integrated into the diverse fabric of the health care p rofessions. As a complement to the traditional and theoretical aspects of a librarian's education, this mixture of supplemental coursework a nd intensive practical training emphasizes active management of inform ation, problem-solving skills, learning in context, and direct partici pation in research, while providing the opportunity for advanced acade mic pursuits. The practical training will take place under the auspice s of an established Integrated Advanced Information Management Systems (IAIMS) library that is fully integrated with the Health Center infor mation Management Unit and Academic Biomedical Informatics Unit. Durin g the planning phase, investigators are analyzing the model's aims and requirements, concentrating on (a) refining the current understanding oi the roles health sciences librarians occupy; (b) developing educat ional strategies that prepare librarians to fulfill expanded roles; an d (c) planning for an evaluation process that will support iterative r evision and refinement of the model.