END-USER SEARCHING - IMPETUS FOR AN EXPANDING INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND TECHNOLOGY ROLE FOR THE HOSPITAL LIBRARIAN

Using the results of the 1993 Medical Library Association (MLA) Hospit al Libraries Section survey of hospital-based end-user search services , this article describes how end-user search services can become an im petus for an expanded information management and technology role for t he hospital librarian. An end-user services implementation plan is pre sented that focuses on software, hardware finances, policies, staff al locations and responsibilities, educational program design, and progra m evaluation Possibilities for extending end-user search services into information technology and informatics, specialized end-user search s ystems, and Internet access are described. Future opportunities are id entified for expanding the hospital librarian's role in the face of ch anging health care management, advances in information technology, and increasing end-user expectations.