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Expert Searching

To top of page Expert Searching Articles from the MLA News [MO]

A periodic column in the MLA News keeps members informed of expert searching topics and methods.

To top of page Expert Searching Courses

A suite of courses are offered at MLA's annual meeting in May, which are designed to provide expert searching knowledge and skills.

To top of page Expert Searching Email Discussion List

Provided by the Public Services Section of MLA, the PSS Expert Searching list provides a forum to discuss the role of health sciences librarians in the expert retrieval and evaluation of information in support of knowledge and evidence-based clinical, scientific, and administrative decision making at all health institutions, and the role of librarians in training future health sciences practitioners and other end-users in the best retrieval methods for knowledge-based practice, research, and lifelong learning.

To top of page Role of Expert Searching in Health Sciences Libraries

The nation's health sciences librarians must continue to play a significant role in the expert retrieval and evaluation of information in support of knowledge- and evidence-based clinical, scientific, and administrative decision making at all health institutions. The nation's health sciences librarians also have a responsibility to train future health sciences practitioners and other end-users in the best retrieval methods for knowledge-based practice, research, and lifelong learning, and to help them identify which information needs should be addressed by expert searchers.

This MLA policy statement:

  • defines expert searching and provides the background on the issue
  • articulates the role of health sciences librarians in the provision of expert searching
  • identifies a number of high impact areas in which consultation and expert searching are critical to the success of the institution

To top of page Roles and Essential Skills for the Expert Searcher

This March 10, 2004, MLA teleconference gave attendees an overview of the basic concepts of expert searching, explored the issues involved in developing and retaining expert skills, and promoted expert search services as an important means of institutional support. This teleconference is also available as a Webcast.

To top of page Task Force on Expert Searching: Roster and Charge [MO]

This three-year task force is charged to recommend actions that will promote the importance of expert searching in health care and biomedical research and to develop and implement a plan for achieving them.
Thanks to Rittenhouse for their sponsorship of MLA's website.

Thanks to Mosby's Index for their sponsorship of the MLA website.

Thanks to the Endocrine Society for their sponsorship of the MLA website!