Das Open-Library-Konzept verbindet Technologie mit flexiblem Zugang und findet weltweit zunehmende Anwendung. Neben der klassischen Medienausleihe werden Bibliotheken insbesondere als Lern- und Begegnungsräume genutzt. Studien bestätigen die hohe Akzeptanz dieses Modells, das die Nutzung effizienter und nutzerfreundlicher gestaltet. Der Beitrag geht auf den Begriff Open Library ein, untersucht die Typisierung dieser Bibliotheken und beleuchtet gesellschaftliche Auswirkungen sowie die veränderte Nutzung von Bibliotheken. Ein Schwerpunkt liegt auf der Universitätsbibliothek Mainz, wo das Konzept an drei Standorten eingeführt wird: Bereichsbibliothek Universitätsmedizin (BB UM), Standort Musikwissenschaft der Bereichsbibliothek Philosophicum und Bereichsbibliothek Mathematik, Informatik, Naturwissenschaften und Technik (BB MINT). Besonders die BB UM und die BB MINT befinden sich in der Umsetzungsphase, um auch außerhalb der Servicezeiten zugänglich zu sein. Dies erfordert technische und organisatorische Maßnahmen wie ein elektronisches Zugangssystem, Videoüberwachung und Notfallinfrastruktur. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird die Umsetzung am Beispiel der BB UM beschrieben.

At the beginning of their studies, medical students face the challenge of navigating a new learning environment and making effective use of diverse information resources. To support this process, the Medical Branch Library of Mainz University Medical Center developed a video-based introduction that presents key services, learning spaces, and digital resources in a concise and engaging way. The project was realized in cooperation with the Center for Audiovisual Production. Two videos address the specific needs of students in the preclinical and clinical study phases, featuring English subtitles and combining real footage, animations, and interviews. They are used in orientation sessions, on the library website, and in Moodle modules. Beyond their informational purpose, the videos enhance the library’s visibility and image as a modern learning environment and demonstrate how multimedia formats can expand the educational role of academic libraries.

“AGMB 2023: Future – now more than ever”, this was the theme of the annual conference of the German Medical Library Association (AGMB), held in Bonn from September 18 to 20, 2023. The conference was organized in cooperation by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices, ZB MED – Information Center for Life Sciences and Bonn University and State Library. Presentation topics included e.g. library visibility, predatory publishing, systematic literature search, systematic review and management of research data for personal health information.

Digital transformation in the supply of medical literature and information was initiated in the mid-1990s with the emergence of e-journals. Since then, a shift towards digital formats is in progress, comprising more and more media forms. Libraries have taken up this change and designed access and use concepts. The current shift is from traditional textbooks and reference books to digital online learning & examination tools and digital clinical decision support tools. Whereas printed medical textbooks have long held their own against e-books in libraries, a new shift away from books is now emerging due to the popularity of online learning platforms and digital information systems among students and physicians. This article outlines the process of change and the role of medical libraries in it.

Introduction: The purpose of this systematic review was to critically analyze the recent literature to present a guideline for management of neurophysiological changes after implant placement and oral and maxillofacial surgical procedures. Materials and methods: Three electronic databases and manual search approaches were used to identify relevant articles on neurophysiological changes. Only studies with a randomized controlled study design were included. Primary outcome was defined as the status of recovery and relief of pain states under various therapies. Two independent reviewers evaluated the data. Results: A total of eight studies from 2891 records identified met the inclusion criteria. Therapy options for patients with neurophysiological changes after implant placement and oral and maxillofacial surgery were low-level laser (LLL), stellate ganglion block (SGB), medication, and surgical removal of implants. Six studies dealt with LLL, providing a significant improvement in mechanical sensation. Only one study revealed the whole neurosensory profile including neuropathic pain states. All the included RCT studies presented at least one bias, and a considerable heterogeneity of the included studies was revealed. Conclusions: Reduced thermal sensation may be due to irritation of small fibers. LLL might help to improve nerve recovery.

In this interview, medical education experts Dr. Sandra Kurz and olger Buggenhagen report on the teaching situation at Mainz Medical Center during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. They describe how the different teaching formats lectures, seminars, practical training and bedside teaching were digitally replaced or supplemented and how teaching was perceived from the perspective of students and lecturers. They discuss various technical and institutional support services and the importance of on-site networking – especially with medical library staff. Finally, the interview describes how librarians can support digital teaching under pandemic conditions and how the collaboration in Mainz is shaping up with the development of future joint training offers.

In German speaking countries only few medical librarians are involved in evidence based medicine or systematic reviews. In addition, the “communities” of information specialists and medical librarians seem to be drifting apart here. The recently founded Evidence Based Medicine Working Group (AG-EBM) within the German Medical Library Association (AGMB) tries to remedy this and offers opportunities for exchange and networking.

The focus of the current issue 1-2/2020 of GMS MEDIZIN – BIBLIOTHEK – INFORMATION is on evidence-based medicine and systematic review in German, Austrian and Swiss medical libraries. The authors in this issue are Helge Knüttel, Maria-Inti Metzendorf and Martina Semmler-Schmetz (Health sciences libraries in Germany as supporters of evidence-based medicine: current situation and new directions), Lorena Cascant and Stefanus Schweizer (SWOT analysis for systematic review services in German, Austrian and Swiss medical libraries), Volker Braun (Search service at the Mannheim Medical Faculty), Michelle F. Schaffer (Services for EBM – from teaching to clinical research and practice: experiences at the University of Bern), Brigitte Wildner (The role of the librarian in the Cochrane systematic review process: a case report), Gerhard Bissels and Irma Klerings (Towards the first postgraduate course in Medical & Health Librarianship), Thomas Nordhausen and Julian Hirt (Navigating in the jungle – recommendations for selecting databases for systematic literature searching), and Sabine Buroh and Stefanus Schweizer (The new working group on evidence-based medicine within AGMB). In addition to the articles listed above, the current issue of GMS MEDIZIN – BIBLIOTHEK – INFORMATION also features articles on other topics written by Iris Reimann (From the AGMB), Sergei V. Jargin (Some aspects of the Russian medical library system), Jasmin Schmitz (“Zukunft wissenschaftlicher Bibliotheken?!” [The Future of Research Libraries?!] – report on an online conference organized by ZB MED and OPEN PASSWORD) and Bruno Bauer (The Medical Librarian’s Bibliography 2019).

In this interview, epidemiologists Dorle Hoffmann and Oliver Bayer give an insight into their experience with systematic reviews and related topics such as meta-analyses. They describe how the tasks have expanded step by step in recent years and the importance of local networking – especially with the medical library staff. Finally, the interview describes the role librarians can play in the preparation of systematic reviews and gives an insight into how the cooperation in Mainz is progressing with the development of a practical guide and joint training courses.

In Spring 2020, an online survey was realized among all medical librarians in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on behalf of the Evidence Based Medicine Working Group (AG-EBM) of the German Medical Library Association. The main focus of this survey was to characterize the biggest challenges, barriers and needs that medical librarians face in order to provide or implement a systematic review service. The 23-item survey included also SWOT analysis with open-ended questions, which allowed survey participant to better describe their situation. The survey was completed by 60 librarians. The results will allow the AG-EBM to establish a strategic plan that will help medical librarians take advantage of the opportunities of systematic review services and offer tools to minimize risks.

Over the years, the departmental library of the University Medical Center Mainz (BBUM) has tried to provide advice to its users on systematic reviews (SR), but individual requests have failed due to a lack of human resources. Therefore, BBUM looked for an alternative to a full service and decided to develop a help for self-help offer, together with the partners of the Institute of Medical Biometrics, Epidemiology and Informatics. This approach focuses on developing scientists’ basic knowledge of SR through a practical workshop, and then offering a punctual consultancy service. In addition, a practical guideline was developed that can be used both in the workshops and as a basis for consultations.

The Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU) in Mainz has been involved in open access since early stages. One of its strengths is the shared fund for publications, which is parity managed by the JGU and the University Medical Center Mainz. These funds have increased since 2012, as well as other open access activities (repositories, licenses, contracts with publishers). With the transformation from subscription-based to publication-based cost models, the importance of open access will continue to grow. The departmental library of the University Medical Center Mainz, which so far has focused primarily on general aspects on open access (promotion of the existing possibilities, presentations in events), will be increasing its activities in the future (development of information, training and advisory services, support for the implementation of DEAL contracts).

Die Universitätsbibliothek Mainz arbeitet intensiv daran, sich als professionelle und aktive Dienstleistungseinrichtung weiterzuentwickeln sowie strategisch stark für die Zukunft aufzustellen. Um diese Vorhaben beschleunigt und nachhaltig umzusetzen, wurde auf der Basis einer seit 2011 konsequent betriebenen Organisationsentwicklung ein breit angelegter Veränderungsprozess begonnen. Unter dem Motto „UB 2020 – Gemeinsam Zukunft gestalten“ wurde das Projekt bewusst prozessfokussiert und themenoffen gestartet. Seit Ende 2014 wurde ein Themenportfolio erarbeitet und die Projektorganisation entwickelt. In der Folge wurden bislang fünf Teilprojekte aufgesetzt, die von einer ausgeprägten Beteiligung der Bibliotheksmitarbeiterinnen und -mitarbeiter getragen werden. Die Teilprojekte bilden verschiedene Perspektiven ab, von der Definition strategischer Ziele oder der Positionierung innerhalb der Universität bis hin zur Gestaltung innovativer Dienstleistungen. Auch die Bearbeitung der internen Themen Entwicklung der Organisationskultur bzw. Aufgabenverteilung zentral / dezentral ist erfolgsentscheidend. The Mainz University Library strives to further improve its services and to strategically plan ahead for the future. To achieve these goals faster as well as more effectively, we have started to implement several coordinated changes, all based on a development plan that has been consequently pursued since 2011. According to our motto „UB 2020 – Shaping the Future Together“, we deliberately conceptualized this project as a process, without pre-selecting specific areas of activity. Since late 2014, a portfolio of possible topics has been put together and the general organizational framework of the project has been developed. So far, we have come up with five sub-projects in which the library staff is heavily involved. The sub-projects cover various areas, including the definition of strategic goals, the positioning of the library within the university, and the development of new innovative services. Internal questions such as how to develop an organizational culture and how to allocate tasks within the library system will also be crucial for the success

[english] Medical libraries need to respond to change and consistently adjust strategically. The most important factors for success are and will remain the employees of the library. The library services should not be defined restrictively: they must be tailored to the needs of their user groups, continually checked and obsolete work/tasks must be given up. Staff development and cooperation with other libraries play an essential role. Library holdings will be less important in the future, but a welcoming local library will remain significant. All services should be accompanied by a comprehensive public relations effort.[german] Medizinbibliotheken müssen sich dem Wandel stellen und sich konsequent strategisch ausrichten. Wichtigster Erfolgsfaktor sind und bleiben die Mitarbeitenden der Bibliothek. Die nicht zu eng definierten bibliothekarischen Dienstleistungen müssen auf die Bedürfnisse der Nutzergruppen zugeschnitten und ständig überprüft werden, veraltete Arbeiten sollten im Gegenzug aufgegeben werden. Der Personalentwicklung sowie der Kooperation mit anderen Bibliotheken kommt dabei eine entscheidende Rolle zu. Bibliotheksbestände werden künftig weniger wichtig, eine einladende Bibliothek vor Ort bleibt aber weiterhin bedeutend. Sämtliche Angebote sollten von einer umfassenden Öffentlichkeitsarbeit flankiert werden.

[english] Medical e-books are popular for students and researchers alike. E-Books are well used, but often unknown. The online catalog in which all are listed is often not consulted. The Departmental Library for the University Medical Centre presents and promotes e-books as follows: own e-book-website, facilitated search, display in the blog, e-learning module, on posters and postings in the library.

[english] The AGMB is concerned with current developments which could hurt the publishing eco system, especially the market of academic text books as well as the prosperous cooperation of lecturers, libraries, publishers and users and, in addition, harm the medical education system. At the AGMB annual conference 2012, the Aachen declaration on the acquisition of electronic books was published to sensibilise colleagues and publishers with the current electronic book situation and to set a signal. [german] Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft für medizinisches Bibliothekswesen e.V. (AGMB) mit den aktuellen Entwicklungen auseinandergesetzt, die das Publikationssystem, inbesondere den Markt für akademische Bücher und die erfolgreiche Zusammenarbeit von Lehrenden, Bibliotheken, Herausgebern und Nutzern, und das medizinische Ausbildungssystem beschädigen könnten Auf der AGMB Jahrestagung 2012 wurde die Aachener Erklärung über den Erwerb von elektronischen Büchern veröffentlicht um Kollegen und Verleger für die aktuelle Situation der elektronischen Bücher zu sensibilisieren und ein Signal zu setzen.

The Medical Library (Fachbibliothek Medizin (FBM)) was founded in 1969 as a Department of the Central University Library (Zentralbibliothek), and is located within the grounds of the University Medical Center in Mainz. The purpose of the library is to provide all services for students and staff of clinical and clinical-theoretical medicine. Traditional library services focus on media lending, including the textbook collection. In the digital domain, emphasis is on electronic journals and books. The well-established courses and lectures are enhanced through group-specific orientated websites and online tutorials.