An international comparative study: situation of biomedical libraries and librarians.

Gaetana Cognetti*, R. Aprea°, V. Pistotti+
* Scientific Library - Istituto Regina Elena - Rome, Italy
° Scientific Library - Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata - Rome, Italy
+ Istituto Mario Negri - Via Eritrea, 62 - Milano, Italy
r.aprea@idi.it

Following the first census of libraries and documentation centers of the Italian National Health System, the BDS (Bibliotecari Documentalisti Sanità), in collaboration with the Library of the Regina Elena Cancer Institute and that of the Istituto Dermopatico dell'Immacolata, began an international survey on the situation of biomedical libraries. A questionnaire, elaborated ad hoc, was initially sent to 62 professional librarians in 41 different countries. However, the study has now been enlarged, thanks to the contribution of other librarians. The aim of the study is to provide a synthetic realistic picture of biomedical libraries in the other countries on the following topics: legal recognition of the role of biomedical librarians, the formation and presence of registers and professional associations and the organization of libraries in networks and consortia. To complete the questionnaire more fully, we are also employing professional literature.
The preliminary data available show a substantial development of the biomedical libraries in the Anglo-Saxon countries, in Belgium and in Russia. The other countries of Europe, instead, show different situations.
In Africa, specifically in Zimbabwe, biomedical library personnel must be specialized in sciences of information. In Asia, India appears to be highly developed, thanks to the influence of the Anglo-Saxon culture and the great Indian librarian, S.R. Ranganathan, who left his great mark in this country. On the contrary, the situation is less developed in Japan.
In the light of these first available data, the situation in some countries, such as in Italy, seems to be inadequate to face the needs of a modern society of information. Projects, at both a national and international level, must therefore be initiated. This is essential to overcome the conditions of backwardness which constitute the greatest obstacle to biomedical research, to the formation of personnel and to the good care of the patients, according to the guidelines of evidence-based modern medicine.