Extending library services by using a new technology.

The University of Kentucky Medical Library Extension Service is an experimental program attempting to stimulate medical library use among medical professionals by offering medical information to all health practitioners. The purpose of the program, sponsored by the Ohio Valley Regional Medical Program, is to encourage the establishment of medical libraries in community hospitals and to develop cooperative relationships among those institutions capable of providing medical library services.The University of Kentucky program, through cooperation with other sections of the OVRMP, is endeavoring to make the medical library the center for a variety of clinically oriented information services.Through a WATS line, this Extension Service offers medical library services, drug information, and bibliographic support to OVRMP.It is anticipated that a substantial number of health professionals will become accustomed to medical library services and that health services provided to the citizens of the region will thereby be improved.