A management case study: challenges of initiating an information service in molecular biology and genetics

• Published in: Journal of the Medical Library Association Vol. 94; no. 3; pp. 245 - 247
• Main Author: Epstein, Barbara A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States University Library System, University of Pittsburgh 01-07-2006; Medical Library Association
• Subjects: Academic Medical Centers; Case studies; Committees; Computational Biology; Genetics; Information professionals; Libraries; Libraries, Medical - organization & administration; Library Services - organization & administration; Molecular Biology; Organizational Case Studies; Pennsylvania; R&D; Research & development; Software packages; Web portals; Pennsylvania
• ISSN: 1536-5050; 1558-9439

The explosive growth of molecular biology and genetics research, and its pervasive presence in the activities of leading academic health sciences centers, has highlighted the need to develop specialized information services to support researchers, students, and clinicians in these areas. Information professionals with varied academic preparation and experience are already skilled in providing instruction and consultation, licensing electronic resources, and developing Websites and teaching materials, yet few possess the subject knowledge to offer reference and consultation services in this rapidly evolving subject area. Because the University of Pittsburgh has a well-supported research program in the basic sciences, top administrators were receptive to the idea of a new information service to provide specialized support to researchers in molecular biology and genetics, staffed by an information specialist with expertise in molecular biology and genetics as well as library and information technology.