Minor virtual libraries: The Experience in Extremadura.

  Vivas M. (Hospital San Pedro de Alcántara)
  Matilde de la Cruz S (Hospital Infanta Cristina)
 
Information technology (IT) has meant a deep revolution for the traditional library and information centres, which have undergone a fast adaptation to the electronic formats in which this information is received, used and accessed; moreover IT has allowed us the creation of different working tools: web pages, portals, etc., which have made possible the spreading of library services to the most remote users. This fact acquires paramount importance in regions such as Extremadura where, the geographical dispersion on the one hand, and the lack of specialised libraries on the other, have become a significant handicap when having to meet the most basic information necessities of the health system’s professionals.

The creation process of the SES Libraries’ portal, co-operatively developed by the professionals of the two main libraries in the region, is delved into following a three-fold analysis: first, that of the new models and necessities of interlibrary co-operation we have experienced; second, that of the impact this experience has had for users as well as for the rest of libraries in our region; and finally, analysis of our progressively more important and demanded commitment to offer information especially designed for patients.