An evolution of experts: MEDLINE in the library school.
OBJECTIVE
What is the real value that medical librarians bring to the health care environment? How have library science educators, frequently former practitioners themselves, responded to the challenge of expert searching?


METHODS
In this paper, I give an historical introduction to the landscape of medical information retrieval through the development of MEDLINE. I then look at the evolution of training in online searching and its place in the context of library school education and particularly the effect of generalist education on future specialists. Finally, I acknowledge the new role of the informationist as another assertion of our professional expertise.


CONCLUSIONS
The three interdependent subsystems of our professional machine-our schools, our association, and our professional peers- must all respond to this challenge by asserting our expertise in our curricula, in our continuing education, and in our dialogues with each other. Only by acknowledging the interaction of these subsystems will real and positive changes be effected to benefit our profession and our constituencies.
Arnott Smith
Catherine
C
School of Information Studies Syracuse University 4-179 Center for Science and Technology Syracuse, New York 13210, USA. Casmit07@syr.edu
D004496:Education, Continuing / Q000592:standards*; D006266:Health Education / Q000592:standards; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016245:Librarians; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000592:standards; D007997:Library Schools / Q000592:standards*; D007999:Library Services / Q000592:standards; D016239:MEDLINE / Q000592:standards*; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D014481:United States