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The professionalization of health librarianship in the UK between 1909 and 1978
Author(s) -
Ferguson Valerie
Publication year - 2005
Publication title -
health information and libraries journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.779
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1471-1842
pISSN - 1471-1834
DOI - 10.1111/j.1740-3324.2005.00595.x
Subject(s) - professionalization , medical library , library science , promotion (chess) , work (physics) , professional association , association (psychology) , public relations , welfare , political science , sociology , medical education , medicine , psychology , engineering , computer science , law , mechanical engineering , politics , psychotherapist
Many strands exist within health information work and during the last century librarians in this field identified themselves through special groups or associations. This paper focuses on the key role of the Library Association Medical Section in the professional development of medical librarians in the United Kingdom up to 1978 when it merged with the Library Association Hospital Libraries and Handicapped Readers Group to create the Medical, Health and Welfare Group. Uniting to form a stronger organization, under the ultimate designation of the Health Libraries Group, was part of an evolutionary process. The invention and promotion of co‐operative schemes, networking and educational opportunities for members, the publication of specialized material and the fostering of international relationships during the first three‐quarters of the century are illuminated by personal reminiscences from some of the major participants in the field.