Eyes on the prize: reflections on the impact of the evolving digital ecology on the librarian as expert intermediary and knowledge coach, 1969-2009.
OBJECTIVE
The 2009 Janet Doe Lecture reflects on the continuing value and increasing return on investment of librarian-mediated services in the constantly evolving digital ecology and complex knowledge environment of the health sciences.


METHODS
The interrelationship of knowledge, decision making based on knowledge, technology used to access and retrieve knowledge, and the important linkage roles of expert librarian intermediaries is examined.


METHODS
Professional experiences from 1969 to 2009, occurring during a time of unprecedented changes in the digital ecology of librarianship, are the base on which the evolving role and value of librarians as knowledge coaches and expert intermediaries are examined.


CONCLUSIONS
Librarian-mediated services linking knowledge and critical decision making in health care have become more valuable than ever as technology continues to reshape an increasingly complex knowledge environment.
Homan
J Michael
JM
Mayo Clinic Libraries, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. homan@mayo.edu
D003657:Decision Making; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D019359:Knowledge; D016245:Librarians / Q000266:history; D046609:Libraries, Digital / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration*; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000266:history / Q000458:organization & administration*; D008490:Medical Informatics / Q000266:history / Q000639:trends; D024382:Professional Role / Q000266:history