Journal of the Canadian Health Libraries Association / Journal de l'Association des bibliothèques de la santé du Canada

CHLA/ABSC 2022 Conference Abstracts

2022-05-14T07:11:02-06:00

Responding to Rapid Change in Libraries

2022-03-30T07:46:26-06:00

Editor's Message

2022-07-26T13:45:13-06:00

Canadian academic nursing librarians: Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on librarianship practice

2022-03-02T11:27:32-07:00

Objective: This study explored changes in the practice of academic nursing librarianship during the COVID-19 pandemic with a particular focus on academic nursing librarians’ work with nursing graduate students and nursing faculty.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eleven academic nursing librarians about changes to their librarianship practice during the Covid-19 global pandemic. Interviews were conducted between April 20 and May 14, 2021, discussing experiences during the study period March 2020 to May 2021.

Results: Canadian academic nursing librarians experienced 1) the adoption of the completely virtual library; 2) changes to the type and prevalence of online instruction; 3) the discovery that online consults work well; 4) the discovery of the extent to which relationships are valued and intentional; 5) an increase in requests for instruction and co-authorship of knowledge syntheses; and 6) the benefits and challenges of remote work

Discussion: Experiences were divergent, shaped in part by the institutions’ pre-pandemic practices. The temporary transition to the completely virtual library revealed benefits of online consults, opportunities for reaching more students through asynchronous learning, the importance of relationships to nursing liaison work, and value to the flexibility of working remotely.

Conclusion: The Covid-19 global pandemic continues to evolve. With a return to in-person classes at Canadian universities there is much to learn from the experiences during the first 18 months.

Survey of bioinformatics courses and concentrations in ALA-accredited master’s programs

2022-04-01T10:18:44-06:00

Introduction: The interdisciplinary field of Bioinformatics is considered an information-based discipline by many. Yet, it is unclear how MLIS degrees prepare librarians to apply their expertise in this unique, often non-textual information environment. The goal of this study is to identify the availability of LIS-based bioinformatics educational opportunities to provide an update to the current bioinformatics landscape in North American LIS/iSchools.

Methods: We conducted a survey of available bioinformatics courses and program concentrations within 69 ALA-accredited master’s programs. Using course catalogues and program descriptions on department websites, we identified the existence of courses and concentrations specific or related to the field of bioinformatics. We also surveyed the availability of associated certificate programs or degree alternatives.

Results: Only two LIS-based bioinformatics courses are currently offered to MLIS students in ALA-accredited programs. There are no bioinformatics concentrations offered in the programs surveyed, however two graduate certificates could be applied towards an ALA-accredited master’s degree. Students interested in related fields can pursue degree alternatives, including 8 dual degree options.

Discussion: The scarcity of LIS-based bioinformatics courses and program concentrations may suggest that LIS has not adopted bioinformatics into their field nor curricula. As a result, students interested in pursuing careers in bioinformatics and related disciplines must actively seek out opportunities for education and professional development. Bioinformatics degree options within LIS/iSchools points towards an increased dialogue and acceptance of the connection between bioinformatics and information science, but the lack of ALA-accreditation limits possibilities for emerging librarians.