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Searching for health information is a core activity for health library and knowledge workers, whether seeking to support health care workers in overcoming barriers to accessing drug information, exploring the potential of text mining in developing search filters, translating search filters for use on alternative databases, or the importance of updating search filters to ensure their ongoing utility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissertations into Practice is changing. Details on how those new to health information, library and knowledge work can get involved coming shortly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health care library and knowledge services ( LKS) are now expected to contribute to the provision of Patient and Public Information ( PPI). The challenges of an ageing population, prevalence of long-term conditions and the encouragement of patients to self manage give added impetus. The Knowledge for Health care PPI Task and Finish Groups developed strategic partnerships with national organizations and produced a suite of resources to support LKS staff. Outputs include guidance, workshop materials, an Ideas Bank and Guide to NHS Choices. The work of the PPI Task and Finish groups will continue to support staff as they develop activities and evidence its impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The March 2017 issue of the Health Information and Libraries Journal marks the 10 year anniversary of the inaugural review published in the journal's review series. The review series was conceived to meet the growing appetite of health library and information workers to access synthesised evidence to inform their practice; something we'd already been doing to support medics in their practice. This editorial looks back on the 10 years and the inspiration which saw the development of a typology of review types and associated methodologies to address the lack of consistent guidelines on the features a review should incorporate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maria Grant reflects on her ten years as Editor‐in‐Chief of the Health Information and Libraries Journal, her vision to enhance the quality and reach of the journal, and working with prospective authors in the health library sector to increase confidence in recognising and communicating the value of the work being undertaken. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Academic writing can seem a daunting prospect although with the right support and information it can be more achievable than you think. In this first set of editorial comments of 2016, editors from all sections of the Health Information and Libraries Journal outline the origins of the individual section of the journal which they oversee and highlight some of the things you might want to consider when thinking of submitting your writing for publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This inaugural virtual issue of the Health Information and Libraries Journal ( HILJ) celebrates the contribution of health information in informing health and social care library and information provision. It has been drawn together to reflect the 2010 biennial Health Libraries Group conference theme of Keeping Information Centre Stage Amid Changing Scenery and includes a series of eleven key papers published in the journal over the last two years. This virtual issue mirrors the usual format of a journal issue with a review article, original articles and regular features on Learning and Teaching in Action, Using Evidence in Practice and International Perspectives and Initiatives. All papers included in this virtual issue of Health Information and Libraries Journal are available free online. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the recent times of recession and budget cuts, it is more important than ever for library and information services to deliver cost-effective services. Objectives: This rapid review aims to examine the evidence for the most cost-effective ways of delivering enquiry services. Methods: A literature search was conducted on LISA (Library and Information Sciences Abstracts) and MEDLINE. Searches were limited to 2007 onwards. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies covered hospital and academic libraries in the USA and Canada. Services analysed were 'point-of-care' librarian consultations, staffing models for reference desks and virtual/digital reference services. Conclusions: Transferable lessons, relevant to health library and information services generally, can be drawn from this rapid review. These suggest that 'point-of-care' librarians for primary care practitioners are a cost-effective way of answering questions. Reference desks can be cost-effectively staffed by student employees or general reference staff, although librarian referral must be provided for more complex and subject-specific enquiries. However, it is not possible to draw any conclusions on virtual/digital reference services because of the limited literature available. Further case analysis studies measuring specific services, particularly enquiry services within a health library and information context, are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At its best, peer review can mean receiving constructive feedback to help you make the most of your writing. At the Health Information and Libraries Journal, we strive to make the peer review a positive process for both authors and referees. We adopt a process of double-blind peer review. To receive two reviews in a timely manner, three referees are initially invited for each article submitted. The referees are asked to submit their review noting errors, areas of ambiguity or clarification required before the editor and editorial team consider the manuscript ready for publication. As with most journals, it's unlikely that your writing will be accepted in its original form; a typical outcome will be for a recommendation for major or minor revisions. This is good! It means the editorial team has seen something of likely interest to their readership and wants to help you develop it to a publishable standard. There can be a surprising amount of development and change in a manuscript from original submission through to publication. While you may be experienced in your field, you may not have much experience of writing for publication. As a referee, you get an intriguing insight into the shape of manuscripts in their original form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acknowledging the need for continuous improvement to keep health libraries at the forefront of patient care, Richard Bridgen considers the alternative ways in which library and knowledge services can be provided, from regional hubs to embedded services. Richard echo's the words of the CILIP Chief Executive Officer that services are likely to be judged on provision rather than breadth of collection and emphasises the need for a properly educated workforce to enable staff to keep up with changes in their professional domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reflects on the 30th anniversary of the journal, and discusses its future contents.

Health library and information workers no longer find themselves restricted to presenting at purely local or national health‐related library events, a diversity evidenced by the two conferences supported by CILIP's Health Libraries Group this month, June 2019. The Health Libraries Group is an official sponsor of #EBLIP10, the 10th international Evidence Based Library and Information Practice conference, which encourages us to think about the evidence we collect and use to inform practice. The Health Libraries Group also strengthens its links with EAHIL: The European Association of Health Information and Libraries by aligning the content of this year's Virtual Issue of the Health Information and Libraries Journal with EAHIL 2019s themes of evidence‐based practice, impact & assessment, and technology uptake, available at: https://bit.ly/2PAZw2X. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responding to referee comments, the Health Information and Libraries Journal Editorial Advisory Board has been engaged in a large‐scale project to review and revise local peer review processes. What has emerged is a review process which enables referees to provide a more nuanced review to the editorial team and authors. The revised processes have now been implemented in the ScholarOne Manuscripts submission system. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to peer reviewing for the Health Information and Libraries Journal in 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It's conference time again! There is an exciting programme in prospect in this year's biennial Health Libraries Group (#HLG2018) conference covering key elements of library and information workers' daily practice. Uppermost in everyone's mind is the importance of ongoing personal and professional development with the Health Libraries Group Continuing Professional Development Panel putting this into practice as they host regional peer support sessions for presenters in the period leading up to the conference. As the official journal of the Health Libraries Group, the Health Information and Libraries Journal is similarly keen to support presenters in the practical task of translating their presentations into papers. Do get in touch if you would like advice on what to do next. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the feature editor of the journal addresses the review by the editorial board of metadata attached to articles published in the journal and articles published within the issue on topics including focus groups, publication in Malaysia, and medical information.

Reviews are seen as a way of exploiting existing data or research findings more fully and can offer a summarised insight into the current understanding of the evidence. Library and information science (LIS) workers can use reviews to inform their decision-making and service planning. Although the LIS evidence base continues to grow there will frequently be times when no published reviews are available. In these instances, you may consider undertaking your own review. Different types of review require different approaches and, by deciding from the outset what kind of review yours will be, will inform your methodology. Guidelines on writing reviews for the Health Information and Libraries Journal are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author compares the journal to the periodical "The Health Libraries Group (HLG) Newsletter." The HLG is a division of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP), a library professional organization. The collaboration between the editors of the periodicals to ensure each journal's content complements the other is noted. The expansion of "The HLG Newsletter" from a section of the journal and the journal's impact factor and peer review process are discussed.

The editor introduces the contents of the issue, first noting an editorial decision to reformat manuscripts so that practitioners can glean the relevance of a particular article at its beginning. She proceeds to note the comprehensive coverage of the current issue in articles that address the benefits of collaborative licensing of library subscription costs, library support of clinical inquiries, and the use of web-based technologies such as Second Life for sexual health education.