Librarian as Informationist

Actually the idea of librarian as informationist in certain settings was discussed as early as 1974. Variations on this theme include "clinical medical librarian", "clinical librarian", "librarian in context" and "informationist". I am posting this at this point in my blog because the previous blog describes how the librarian functions as an informationist by rounding. We normally think of librarians providing services "at the library". In this case, the librarian takes library services to health professionals by attending rounds, morning report and conferences -- functioning as librarians "in context". Here are some of the benefits.
–Helps the librarian know what the important topics or common diagnoses are in that unit
•May impact collection development
–Increases the librarian’s value to the hospital
–Boosts the visibility of the library and its services
•May increase use of library resources: Provides a venue to promote library resources.

The impetus to use the title here at Bayview originated with the hospital president and I think, fits the work of these librarians well.

The term informationist can be and is used in a different way in other institutions (e.g. NIH library has 15 informationists) to describe an individual who is both a librarian and who has "extensive expertise in a clinical or research specialty". (Grefsheim, SF, et al, J Med Libr Assoc 98(2) April 2010)

Thank you to Christine Caufield-Noll for the copy of her presentation and the additional information provided from which I have borrowed heavily.