Cost-effective ways of delivering enquiry services : a rapid review

Sutton, A; Grant, MJ

Abstract

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.

Citation

Sutton, A., & Grant, M. (2011). Cost-effective ways of delivering enquiry services : a rapid review. Health Information and Libraries Journal, 28(4), 249-255. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00965.x

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 29, 2011
• Online Publication Date: Nov 3, 2011
• Publication Date: Nov 3, 2011
• Deposit Date: Oct 10, 2011
• Journal: Health Information and Libraries Journal
• Print ISSN: 1471-1834
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 249-255
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00965.x
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00965.x
• Related Public URLs: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/hir.2011.28.issue-4/issuetoc