It is possible to revolutionize the way health libraries in developing countries work by introducing access to online resources that provide information services that improve human health and wellbeing. Many health libraries in the Western world take for granted their ability to provide their clients with a vast array of electronic information resources, even if it is within a climate of budgetary control. At the University of Queensland a program of “Creating the Cybrary” is provided to visiting librarians worldwide. The program comprises four modules, including: 1. Effective collection management; 2. From workstation to Cybrary: using technology in libraries; 3. Meeting the needs of library users; and 4. Managing the modern library. In February-May 2002, a Librarian from the Myanmar (Burma) Institute of Medicine participated in the “Creating the Cybrary” program at the University of Queensland Cybrary. The visit included an eight-week placement at the Herston Medical Library, which is the flagship medical library for Queensland, located at the largest teaching hospital site in Australia.
This paper provides some background to the types of study programs that are available to librarians in health libraries throughout the world. Coverage of the study program at the University of Queensland for visiting librarians is discussed; along with a case study of the Myanmar Institute of Medicine Librarian to illustrate what impact such study trips can have for medical students, physicians and ultimately patients. For example, based on the Myanmar experience, wide-ranging benefits were achieved through exposure to what e-resources and services were possible for the medical students and physicians. At the Myanmar Institute of Medicine Library a range of electronic journals and databases have been made available improving access to the best evidence and clinical information significantly. A listing of free online health resources available for libraries in developing countries and a critique of the resources will also be covered in the paper.
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