The role of an NHS library service in the UK: the perceptions of clinical managers in Portsmouth, UK.
BACKGROUND
Portsmouth NHS Library Service is exploring methods of raising its profile within its host organization and wishes to demonstrate its contribution to achieving organizational goals, perhaps by means of an impact study.


OBJECTIVE
The objective of this small scale study, regarded as a possible precursor to an impact study, was to identify areas where there is potential to increase awareness among clinical managers of the Library's contribution.


METHODS
An e-mail survey was sent to clinical managers to elicit their opinions regarding the contribution of the Library Service to organizational goals.


RESULTS
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the role of the Library Service in education, research and effectiveness was most widely recognized. Of responses, 30/42 (71%) rated it as 'very important' and a further 11 (26%) rated it as 'important'. The low appreciation of the Library Service to Clinical Services is a disappointment in view of the body of research evidence. Only 12 respondents (29%) thought that the Library Service contributed 'significantly' by 'supporting informed and timely clinical decision making'.


CONCLUSIONS
The study suggested areas where there might be scope to raise awareness of the Library contribution. In considering how best to achieve this, the benefits need to be weighed against the resource implications. Portsmouth NHS Library Service decided to increase its marketing efforts but not to carry out an impact study in the short term.
Blagden
Pauline
P
Library, Education Centre, St Mary's Hospital, Portsmouth, UK. Pauline.blagden@porthosp.nhs.uk
D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration; D003258:Consumer Behavior / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006270:Health Facility Administrators / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018966:Library Materials / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008000:Library Surveys; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013222:State Medicine; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom