Systems Librarians in Medical Libraries: A Proposed Curriculum Publisher



Langarizadeh M¹ ; Yousefianzadeh O² ; Azadeh F³ ; Ghazi Mirsarid SJ³ ; Moradijoo M⁴
Source: Journal of Hospital Librarianship Published:2017

Abstract

The increasing growth in using new technologies in libraries draws attention to the absence of someone who, based on knowledge and experience in both fields of librarianship and computer science, can act to manage present technology and make plans, using future technologies. To this end, research was carried out to delineate the significance of the role of a systems librarian in the fields of librarianship and medical information and to develop a proposed model. This study was carried out in two phases: First, related literature (both printed and electronic) describing characteristics of a systems librarian was reviewed. Subsequently, opinions from experts in related information fields were elicited. Data collected revealed that the responsibilities of a systems librarian in a library includes not only technology management but also selecting, purchasing, installing, and maintaining hardware and software, teaching librarians and library users to work with new technologies, budget allocation and provision to purchase library technology, and to act as a liaison between the librarian and computer experts, communicating with different brokers in the field of library technology, as well as predicting future needs of library technology and designing networks and the required systems. The study determined that the presence of professionals who are trained in the three fields of management, computers and librarianship would be useful in managing new technologies in libraries. ©, Published with license by Taylor & Francis © Mostafa Langarizadeh, Omid Yousefianzadeh, Frecydoon Azadeh, Sayed Javed Ghazi Mirsarid and Mohammad Moradi-Joo.