Library Value Toolkit: Introduction

What do we think you should keep in mind?

Recommendation 1: Always use your own judgement when utilizing these resources and tools!  Each institution is different and not everything applies or would work for everyone.  They pay us the big bucks for our 'on-the-money' judgement, let's make sure they get the vallue for their money!

Recommendation 2: Browse around and let us know if we're missing something major!  We can't promise to actually do anything about it since we're disbanded, but knowledge of where we failed is always good.

Recommendation 3: A foolish man once said "If you build it, they will come". We know they won't, they'll instead ask "Why'd you build that?!   These tools and resources will ideally help the Library professional better understand their own role and value,to be translated to the powers that be.

Image courtesy of [Master isolated images] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

This Guide is an end product of the Health Science Information Consortium of Toronto (HSICT) Task Force on Evaluating Library Services. The HSICT is a collaboration of libraries and information centres in teaching & community hospitals, public health units, and other health care institutions. The Task Force was formed in 2013 to support members in evaluating services and to promote the use of similar strategies and tools within our community.

The HSICT is sharing this with the broader community. It will be regularly updated. Feedback is appreciated.

Want to know more about the Taskforce?  Check out some more details!

What you'll find in this section:

1. Objectives of this Guide
2. How to Use this Guide
3. Other Value Guides/Resources

Make sure to also check out:

1. Framework for Measuring Value
2. Glossary (or you can click any of the blue Glossary buttons from any page! )

Provide guidance and tools, for demonstrating value of in-house Library services and information expertise to support your organization’s mission, vision and values.  You will find:

• A practical toolbox of resources, including those developed by our members, on a web platform accessible to our members.
• A few key resources, research, reports or tools that support the value of library and information services in health settings, broken into 'Value Catagories'
•  'Task Force Reccomendations' to Librarians, Managers and Library leaders in each 'Value Category' to help identify the where, when why and how to use these resources.
• Identified, where possible, & applicable value measures for Library leaders.

This guide does not intend to offer an exhaustive list of resources to the Library leader; however, it intends to provide a 'jumping off'' point for health Librarians interested in assessing and promoting the value of their service and professional expertise.  It aims to be unique amongst other, much more exhaustive resources, such as Dean Gustini's "Managing Health Libraries", via its collective 'reccomendations' and limited 'key resources', all dedicated to the topic of value in health libraries.