Janet Papadakos1, Aileen Trang1, David Wiljer1, Chiara Cipolat Mis1, Alaina Cyr1, Audrey Jusko Friedman1, Mauro Mazzocut1, Michelle Snow1, Valeria Raivich1, Pamela Catton1. 1. (candidate), janet.papadakos@rmp.uhn.on.ca , Manager, Patient & Survivorship Education Program; aileen.trang@rmp.uhn.on.ca , Research Analyst, Patient Education Program; david.wiljer@camh.ca , Senior Director, Transformational Education and Academic Advancement, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; ELLICSR: Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Munk Building BCS021, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada; people@cro.it , Librarian, Patient Education Program, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS), Via Franco Gallini, 2, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy; alaina.cyr@rmp.uhn.on.ca , Coordinator, Patient Education Program; audrey.friedman@rmp.uhn.on.ca , Associate Director, ELLICSR; Director, Patient & Family Education Program; and Director, Survivorship Program; ELLICSR: Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Munk Building BCS021, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada; people@cro.it, Librarian , Web Specialist, Patient Education Program, Centro di Riferimento Oncologico IRCCS, Via Franco Gallini, 2, 33081 Aviano, PN, Italy; michelle.snow@uhn.on.ca , Patient Education Librarian, Patient Education Program, ELLICSR: Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, University Health Network, 200 Elizabeth Street, Munk Building BCS021, Toronto, ON M5G 2C4, Canada; valeria.raivich@uhn.on.ca , Librarian, Patient Education Program, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, 399 Bathurst Street, Toronto, ON M5T 2S8, Canada; Pamela.catton@rmp.uhn.on.ca , Director, ELLICSR; Director, Oncology Education; Medical Director, Patient & Family Education; Medical Director, Breast Cancer Survivorship Program; and Butterfield/Drew Chair in Breast Cancer Survivorship, ELLICSR: Health, Wellness and Cancer Survivorship Centre, Princess Marga
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: The criteria for determining whether resources are included in consumer health library collections are summarized in institutional collection development policies (CDPs). Evidence suggests that CDPs do not adequately capture all of these criteria. The aim of this study was to describe the resource review experience of librarians and compare it to what is described in CDPs. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used to explore and describe the process. Four consumer health librarians independently evaluated cancer-related consumer health resources and described their review process during a semi-structured telephone interview. Afterward, these librarians completed online questionnaires about their approaches to collection development. CDPs from participating libraries, interview transcripts, and questionnaire data were analyzed. Researchers summarized the findings, and participating librarians reviewed results for validation. RESULTS: Librarians all utilized similar criteria, as documented in their CDPs; however, of thirteen criteria described in the study, only four were documented in CDPs. CONCLUSIONS: CDPs for consumer health libraries may be missing important criteria that are considered integral parts of the collection development process. IMPLICATIONS: A better understanding of the criteria and contextual factors involved in the collection development process can assist with establishing high-quality consumer health library collections.
OBJECTIVES: The criteria for determining whether resources are included in consumer health library collections are summarized in institutional collection development policies (CDPs). Evidence suggests that CDPs do not adequately capture all of these criteria. The aim of this study was to describe the resource review experience of librarians and compare it to what is described in CDPs. METHODS: A phenomenological approach was used to explore and describe the process. Four consumer health librarians independently evaluated cancer-related consumer health resources and described their review process during a semi-structured telephone interview. Afterward, these librarians completed online questionnaires about their approaches to collection development. CDPs from participating libraries, interview transcripts, and questionnaire data were analyzed. Researchers summarized the findings, and participating librarians reviewed results for validation. RESULTS: Librarians all utilized similar criteria, as documented in their CDPs; however, of thirteen criteria described in the study, only four were documented in CDPs. CONCLUSIONS: CDPs for consumer health libraries may be missing important criteria that are considered integral parts of the collection development process. IMPLICATIONS: A better understanding of the criteria and contextual factors involved in the collection development process can assist with establishing high-quality consumer health library collections.