The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced new possibilities for hospital and clinic libraries. A research project surveyed hospital and clinic librarians regarding AI use in their libraries. AI tools are being used for cataloging, retrieving information, conducting systematic reviews, and answering research questions. Limitations such as hallucinations affect the value of AI for library research. Librarians' understanding of these tools is crucial to maximizing the benefits of AI while maintaining professional and ethical standards. This study examined AI usage in hospital and clinical libraries while acknowledging several limitations that affect the interpretation and generalizability of the findings.

Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital libraries provide research to support and improve patient care and health outcomes. This report reviews and compares the results of a series of 6 studies conducted between 2010 and 2023 by Veterans Health Administration (VHA) hospital libraries to evaluate the information patrons received from their libraries in response to reference requests. The results found that the libraries' reference responses were relevant and timely and had a positive effect on patient care while saving staff time.

This study reports on a 2022 survey of pediatric hospital librarians in the U.S. and Canada to assess the status of staffing, resources, and services in their libraries. The report compares the data against the MLA Hospital Library Caucus Standards (2022) and the Canadian Hospital Library Association Standards (2020). The report also provides a comparison of the libraries' rankings using the Regional U.S. News & World Report Best Children's Hospitals and Magnet status. This approach is intended to determine how librarians and library services at hospitals that are recognized by the above programs differ from those that are not recognized.

Abstract This study reports on a 2022 survey of pediatric hospital librarians in the U.S. and Canada to assess the status of staffing, resources, and services in their libraries. The report compares the data against the MLA Hospital Library Caucus Standards (2022) and the Canadian Hospital Library Association Standards (2020). The report also provides a comparison of the libraries’ rankings using the Regional U.S. News & World Report Best Children’s Hospitals and Magnet status. This approach is intended to determine how librarians and library services at hospitals that are recognized by the above programs differ from those that are not recognized.

A concussion is a type of brain injury caused by a direct or indirect blow to the head or body causing the brain to move rapidly within the skull, resulting in immediate, but temporary, brain dysfunction. Concussions can happen when playing sports, during recreation, because of a fall or accident, or from an act of violence. Every year, approximately 42 million people worldwide, including at least 3 million in the United States, suffer from concussion, making it a public health issue. Persons of all ages, from the youngest children to the most aged adults, and from all walks of life can be affected by concussion. Identifying and understanding the best evidence for prevention and treatment of concussion can be challenging due to the vast amount of information available on the Internet.

Public libraries have conducted collection diversity audits, but this is the first known report of a diversity audit in the hospital library community. A two-part questionnaire was sent to hospital librarians to determine their use of diversity audits in collection management and to provide a tool for a preliminary assessment of their collections' diversity. Results of the questionnaire indicate that developing diversity within hospital library collections is important to these respondents. These librarians also support diversity in their library personnel, open access, researching critical gaps, and programming.

Objective: The study purpose was to understand how early months of the COVID-19 pandemic altered interlibrary loan (ILL) and document delivery (DD) in North American health science libraries (HSLs), specifically the decision-making and workflow adjustments associated with accessing their own collections and obtaining content not available via ILL. Methods: Researchers distributed an online 26-question survey through 24 health science library email lists from January 6-February 7, 2021. Respondents reported their library’s ILL and DD activities from March-August 2020, including ILL/DD usage and policies, collection access, decision-making, and workflow adjustments. In addition to calculating frequencies, cross-tabulation and statistical tests were performed to test a priori potential associations. Two researchers independently and thematically analyzed responses to the 2 open-ended questions and reached consensus on themes. Results: Hospital libraries represented 52% (n=226/431) of respondents, along with 42% academic (n=179) and 6% (n=26) multi-type or other special. Only 1% (n=5) closed completely with no remote services, but many, 45% (n=194), ceased ILL of print materials. More than half (n=246/423; 58%) agreed that ILL requests likely to be filled from print remained unfilled more than is typical. Open-ended questions yielded 5 themes on ILL/DD staffing, setup, and systems; 6 on impacts for libraries and library users. Conclusion: Lack of communication regarding collection availability and staffing resulted in delayed or unfilled requests. Hospital and academic libraries made similar decisions about continuing services but reported different experiences in areas such as purchasing digital content. Hybrid ILL/DD workflows may continue for managing these services.

Seasonal influenza is responsible for millions of hospitalizations and thousands of deaths each year and is a major global health problem. It is important for everyone to receive the influenza vaccine, but it is especially important for young children, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. The sites discussed will help consumers understand the importance of the vaccine.

Receiving a diagnosis of spinal cord injury can be devastating for individuals of any age and their family members. For individuals and caregivers, locating current, authoritative information and advice can be overwhelming. Access to this information can help with understanding the condition, identifying available treatments, and improving quality of life.

Memory loss is often the failure, or inability, to recall past events or knowledge. The loss of memory can be partial or total. The facets of memory loss encompass forgetfulness, amnesia, impaired memory, and total loss of memory. Forgetfulness is generally mild and is experienced by almost everyone at some point during life. Amnesia is complete loss of memories, such as name and personal history. Most memory loss occurs as part of the normal aging process, but memory loss may also occur because of mild cognitive impairment, medication or brain damage following disease or trauma. This article will introduce conditions contributing to memory loss and useful resources which may provide needed support.

Discovery services provide a one-box search engine, consolidating library content with a centralized index. In 2015, the authors surveyed hospital librarians regarding the purchase, implementation and maintenance, and information professionals’ satisfaction with discovery services. In 41% of the cases, librarians had purchased a discovery tool, and 58% of those respondents said they were satisfied with their product. The information professionals who decided against a purchase cited the cost, insufficient user benefit, overwhelming retrieval, lack of staff, and unfamiliarity with discovery tools. In 2018, the authors replicated the study to determine if information professionals’ attitudes toward discovery services had changed. The later survey showed a significant change in librarians’ attitudes in favor of discovery tools, as 92% had purchase plans. Of those who implemented a discovery service, 73% expressed their satisfaction with discovery products.

"The Ear Book: A Complete Guide to Ear Disorders and Health, by Thomas J. Balkany and Kevin D. Brown." Journal of Consumer Health on the Internet, 22(2), pp. 195–196

Librarians in the federal sector, like librarians in other medical center libraries, increasingly find it necessary to prove their worth to administrators of their facilities in order to keep their libraries open. The Federal Libraries Section of the Medical Library Association developed a survey for use by federal librarians to help them quantify the value of library reference services provided. Using this survey, these librarians gathered statistics to show the library’s effect on patient care, education, and administrative questions.

Hospital libraries serving military bases offer a different perspective on library services. Two libraries located on islands in the Pacific Ocean provide services to active duty service men and women, including those deployed to other regions of the world. In addition, these hospital libraries serve service members' families living on the base, and often citizens from the surrounding communities.

Book clubs and discussion groups provide opportunities for hospital librarians to reach out to staff from all areas of their facilities while introducing them to literature reflecting participants' personal and professional interests. Librarians presenting these case studies have coordinated local book clubs where topics ranged from titles about the nature of healing, to leadership development, and patient-centered care. Some also included contemporary novels of interest to participants. No matter the setting or scope of material discussed, each group has provided unique networking opportunities for staff to meet others working in various departments of their facilities.

Traveling can increase the chances of the traveler becoming ill. An important part of the planning for any trip should include preventive measures for ensuring the traveler's good health and preparing for potential health concerns. Pretrip planning is essential to remaining healthy while away from home. Health risks vary according to the destination, itinerary, duration of the trip, and the medical history of the traveler. Most travel-related diseases can be prevented or minimized with proper planning. Internet resources provide assistance in preparing for a healthy trip as well as providing information on how the traveler can treat illness that occurs during travel.

Disasters are crisis situations that cause widespread damage exceeding the ability of those affected to recover. Advanced planning is critical to survival and recovery from a disaster. This webliography will assist librarians in providing materials needed by the general public, community leaders, and business owners to plan for, cope with, and recover from a disaster.

E-readers provide an opportunity for hospital librarians to reach out to staff and patients with new approaches to library lending. Librarians in four Veterans Health Administration medical centers are using e-readers to enlarge their scope of service in unique ways. The libraries of VA hospitals in Minneapolis, Des Moines, Tampa, and Philadelphia have developed several ways to reach out to new library users.