Health sciences librarian research and instruction services in pandemic information environments

• Published in: The Journal of academic librarianship Vol. 48; no. 4; p. 102553
• Main Authors: Charbonneau, Deborah H., Vardell, Emily
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01-07-2022
• Subjects: Academic libraries; COVID-19; Health; Instruction; Library services; Online teaching and learning; Pandemic; Research support; COVID-19; Online teaching and learning; Health; Pandemic; Research support; Instruction; Academic libraries; Library services
• ISSN: 0099-1333; 1879-1999; 0099-1333
• DOI: 10.1016/j.acalib.2022.102553

This study examined research and instruction services provided by academic health sciences librarians in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 205 respondents (N = 205) completed an anonymous online survey about academic health sciences librarian involvement in providing research and instruction services during the global pandemic. In-depth literature searching services (86%, n = 176), curated COVID-19 research through guides (66%, n = 135), and systematic review consultations (53%, n = 109) were reported as the top three research services in demand. Librarians supported online teaching and learning at their institutions by providing online instruction for a course (92%, n = 189), facilitating access to licensed resources (73%, n = 150), and identifying open access and open educational resources (62%, n = 127). Overall, this study contributes to understanding pandemic-responsive academic library services to meet the unique needs of health sciences education and research in evolving COVID-19 pandemic information environments.
•Pandemic-responsive academic library services for the health sciences are highlighted.•Academic health sciences librarians reported a demand in virtual research services.•Systematic review consultations were increasingly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic.•Librarians delivered online instruction and provided instructional design advice to faculty.•Open educational resources were also in demand for courses that moved rapidly online.