Although it is gratifying to see libraries and librarians mentioned in a positive light, did anyone notice that the gentleman mentioned most prominently was not a librarian, but a retired minister, with no MLS or librarian training; "totally self-taught"?

Dorothy Fleishman
Bergen Community College
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-------------- Original message from "Kleinmuntz, Dalia" <[log in to unmask]>: -------------- 


> HI. I might get scolded for sendin this one to all, but I think it is 
> easier - Delete if you you don't want to read it. 
> 
> 
> 
> Dalia Kleinmuntz, M.L.S., 
> 
> Webster Library Director 
> 
> Evanston Hospital, Evanston Northwestern Healthcare 
> 
> 847-570-2664 (voice) 
> 
> 847-570-2926 (fax) [log in to unmask] 
> 
> 
> 
> Opinions expressed are my own and do not refelct those of ENH. 
> 
> Story: Physicians find librarians vital 
> > T.State.Edition1.3d6c2c1.html> 
> 
> _____ 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> Physicians find librarians vital 
> 
> By keeping up-to-date on medical advances, they help providers and 
> patients 
> 
> 11:15 AM CST on Monday, December 12, 2005 
> 
> By SUSAN KREIMER / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News 
> 
> More than one doctor has described a resourceful medical librarian as a 
> best friend. 
> 
> "When a physician needs the latest info on something to help care for, 
> treat, or even save the life of a patient, he often turns to a medical 
> librarian," said Dr. William L. Smith, director of library services at 
> Methodist Health System in Dallas. 
> 
> An explosion in health care inform! atics has ratcheted up the call for 
> librarians on the cutting edge of technology and medical advances. 
> Increasingly, these advisers are vital to both health care team members 
> and consumers in search of medical answers. 
> 
> "Demand is growing in a variety of settings for more highly trained 
> medical librarians," said Carla Funk, executive director of the Medical 
> Library Association in Chicago. 
> 
> DARNELL 
> RENEE/Special 
> Contributor> 5.NB_11medlibrarian.GGS1OS4F3.1.jpg> 
> 
> DARNELL RENEE/Special Contributor 
> 
> From left: Dr. William L. Smith, a former Episcopal priest, is director 
> of library services at Methodist Health System, helping physicians such 
> as Dr. Charles C. Tandy and Dr. Peter B. Marcus. 
> 
> The future bodes well for those who possess in-depth knowledge of public 
> health, molecular biology or an aspect of clinical medicine. Medical 
> librarians work in hospitals, clinics, academic centers and public 
> libraries. 
> 
> "People who go into medical librarianship are very service- and 
> people-oriented," Ms. Funk said. 
> 
> Librarians enable busy practitioners and students to easily access 
> up-to-date literature in today's information age. A hundred new medical 
> journals appear per year, said Dr. Charles C. Tand! y, an 
> anesthesiologist who directs Methodist's ambulatory surgery center. 
> 
> In 1999, Methodist named its health sciences library in his honor. Dr. 
> Tandy, 77, has sought out the help and friendship of librarians since 
> his college days. 
> 
> "Probably, they have been the most significant people in my career," he 
> said. 
> 
> Aspiring professionals need a master's degree from a program accredited 
> by the American Library Association, preferably one that offers courses 
> in health sciences or medical librarianship. 
> 
> It's helpful to have an undergraduate background in biological, 
> behavioral, social and physical sciences, Ms. Funk said. Course work and 
> experience in information and computer sciences are also useful. 
> 
> Internships become available through the National Library of Medicine 
> and some graduate schools of library and information science. 
> 
> But Methodist's Dr. Smith, 58, said he "never took a course in medical 
> librarianship. It's all self-t! aught." 
> 
> Compensation is competitive. "It would be on! the upp er end for library 
> professionals," he said. 
> 
> The average annual salary is $57,982, according to the Medical Library 
> Association's January 2005 survey. That's higher than the American 
> Library Association's $52,188 figure in April 2004 for all types of 
> librarians. 
> 
> In April this year, the Special Libraries Association reported that its 
> members earn $65,482. 
> 
> Employment prospects for would-be medical librarians seem overwhelmingly 
> positive. 
> 
> "The majority of current health science librarians are aging, and many 
> will be retiring over the next 15 years," said Laurie Thompson, director 
> of libraries at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in 
> Dallas. 
> 
> "As that happens, there will be many opportunities for professional 
> medical librarians to fill the vacancies." 
> 
> And within the specialty, librarians have a choice of subspecialties. 
> 
> "Informationists go on rounds with the health care team, assess 
> information needs f! or clinical care, and provide evidence-based 
> analysis of appropriate literature for the team," Ms. Thompson 
> explained. 
> 
> "Consumer health librarians, particularly those with a clinical care or 
> patient education background, are also being seen more frequently in 
> academic medical libraries." 
> 
> These libraries are linked to schools of medicine, nursing and the 
> allied health professions. 
> 
> "Many librarians come to the profession as a second career," Ms. 
> Thompson said. "Curiosity and initiative are common and desirable 
> traits." 
> 
> Among these career changers is Dr. Smith, a former Episcopal priest who 
> also earned a doctorate in individual and organizational counseling and 
> consulting. 
> 
> "I have been employed by the Methodist Health System for three and a 
> half years, and I have yet to go to work for a day," he said. "It's all 
> pleasure, recreation, life-giving fun." 
> 
> After doctors, hospital pharmacists are the library's most frequent 
> users, ! Dr. Smith noted. 
> 
> At Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for! Childre n in Dallas, there's a 
> library for employees and a family resource center for patients and 
> relatives. 
> 
> "Cooperation and networking are very important to medical librarians," 
> said Mary Peters, manager of the medical library. "While we customize 
> and make the most of what is available in our own libraries, we often 
> reach out to colleagues across the world to discover and obtain the 
> information we need." 
> 
> Technology makes it all possible. 
> 
> "You use computers and other equipment and software to locate, organize 
> and speed information," Ms. Peters explained. "You often help others 
> learn to use the new technology, too." 
> 
> Meanwhile, at the family resource center, librarian Mary Anne Fernandez 
> assists people in coming to grips with illness. She offers many 
> publications in Spanish. 
> 
> "When they first come in, they may have just heard a diagnosis, and she 
> helps them with materials that are understandable," Ms. Peters said. 
> "She often gets to know t! hem as they return for more information 
> during future visits." 
> 
> Ms. Thompson applauded the multifaceted role of medical librarians. 
> 
> "We help patients find information about their illnesses and therapies. 
> We provide physicians the information needed to treat patients," she 
> said. "We offer students the tools necessary to learn to become health 
> care professionals. We enable researchers to conduct research that will 
> one day make our lives better. 
> 
> "Nearly every medical librarian can tell a story about a grateful client 
> whose life or work has been improved, or even saved, through our 
> efforts." 
> 
> E-mail [log in to unmask] 
> 
>