A rural virtual health sciences library project: research findings with implications for next generation library services.
OBJECTIVE
The Shared Hospital Electronic Library of Southern Indiana (SHELSI) research project was designed to determine whether access to a virtual health sciences library and training in its use would support medical decision making in rural southern Indiana and achieve the same level of impact seen by targeted information services provided by health sciences librarians in urban hospitals.


METHODS
Based on the results of a needs assessment, a virtual medical library was created; various levels of training were provided. Virtual library users were asked to complete a Likert-type survey, which included questions on intent of use and impact of use. At the conclusion of the project period, structured interviews were conducted.


RESULTS
Impact of the virtual health sciences library showed a strong correlation with the impact of information provided by health sciences librarians. Both interventions resulted in avoidance of adverse health events. Data collected from the structured interviews confirmed the perceived value of the virtual library.


CONCLUSIONS
While librarians continue to hold a strong position in supporting information access for health care providers, their roles in the information age must begin to move away from providing information toward selecting and organizing knowledge resources and instruction in their use.
Richwine
M P
MP
Ruth Lilly Medical Library, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis 46202-5121, USA.
McGowan
J J
JJ
D003200:Computer User Training; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D007196:Indiana; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007992:Libraries, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007998:Library Science / Q000639:trends; D008523:MEDLARS; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012107:Research Design; D014584:User-Computer Interface