title: Developing competencies for medical librarians in Pakistan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify competencies for medical librarians and get these validated from head librarians and employers.
  
  
  METHODS
  The survey method was used. A structured questionnaire, listing 84 competency statements, covering eight areas, prepared after extensive literature review, expert scrutiny and pilot testing, using a 5-point Likert scale was distributed among the head librarians and chairpersons of library committees (CLC) in 115 medical libraries.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty seven (58%) useable responses were received from head librarians and 63 (55%) from CLC. Of the 84 competency statements 83 were validated by the head librarians, 44 receiving four or higher mean score while the other 39 statements getting mean scores in the range of 3.97 and 3.06. The CLC validated 80 statements. Only 27 statements received four or higher mean score from CLC while the other 53 got mean scores in the range of 3.97 and 3.22.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical librarians are required to be well versed with all those competencies which are needed for general librarianship. In addition, they are expected to have adequate knowledge of health sciences environment including medical terminologies and concepts. Sound knowledge of some competencies specific for medical libraries is an additional requirement for library personnel.
authors: Army Medical College, National University of Sciences and Technology, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. midrarullah2007@yahoo.com
authors: Midrar
authors: M
authors: Ullah
authors: Mumtaz A
authors: MA
authors: Anwar
mesh_terms: D063005:Health Information Systems / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D016245:Librarians; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000592:standards; D007999:Library Services / Q000592:standards; D010154:Pakistan; D011361:Professional Competence / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires