New to health sciences librarianship: strategies, tips, and tricks

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2021.1184

Keywords:

Health Sciences Librarianship, New Librarians, New Health Sciences Librarians, Professional Development Strategies, Mentorship

Abstract

Three new librarians highlight their varied pathways into health sciences librarianship and offer insight into how they are navigating the challenges and successes of being new to the profession. The authors define a new health sciences librarian as a person who has fewer than five years of experience in health sciences librarianship specifically, having either recently graduated from library school or entered the health sciences from another type of librarianship. Jamia Williams speaks about her journey from new MLS graduate to health science librarian; Kelsa Bartley details her transition from library professional to health science librarian; and Jahala Simuel shares her experiences moving from academic librarian to health science librarian. This commentary provides strategies, tips, and tricks that new health sciences librarians may use to hone their craft and explore opportunities for professional development.

Author Biographies

Kelsa Bartley, University Of Miami Miller School Of Medicine

MSI

Assistant Professor

Education and Outreach Librarian

Louis Calder Memorial Library

Jahala Simuel, Howard University

MIS, MLS

Medical Librarian

Head of Access Services

Louis Stokes Health Sciences Library

Jamia Williams, SUNY Brockport

MLS

Health Sciences Librarian 

Drake Memorial Library

References

Alston JK. Causes of Satisfaction and Dissatisfaction For Diversity Resident Librarians–A Mixed Methods Study Using Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory [Doctoral Dissertation]: University of South Carolina; 2017.

Network of the National Library of Medicine. Discover NNLM Training Opportunities [Website]. Bethesda, MD: National Library of Medicine (NLM) [cited December 2020]. https://nnlm.gov/training.

Ennis LA, Mitchell N. The Accidental Health Sciences Librarian. Medford, NJ: Information Today, Inc; 2010.

Brackett A. Tips for the First-Year Health Sciences Librarian. Med Ref Serv Q. 2016 35(4):454-60. https://doi.org/10.1080/02763869.2016.1220762.

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Published

2021-07-20

Issue

Section

Commentary