Melissa Aho

Using an Untapped Resource: Expanding the Role of the Student Worker at the Bio-Medical Library.

Special Libraries, Special Challenges is a column dedicated to exploring the unique public services challenges that arise in libraries that specialize in a particular subject, such as law, medicine, business, and so forth. In each column, the author will discuss public service dilemmas and solutions that arise specifically in given subject libraries, while drawing links to how such issues affect librarianship in general. Special or subject-matter librarians interested in authoring a piece for this column are invited to contact Melissa K. Aho at ahox0017@umn.edu. *****

The Extreme Searcher's Internet Handbook: A Guide for the Serious Searcher, 3rd ed. Hock, Randolph

Although it can be difficult to successfully cover the dynamic world of technology and electronic resources in a static print format, the authors focus on ‘‘gold standard’’ resources, such as PubMed, UpToDate, the Cochrane Library, and National Guideline Clearinghouse, that are not likely to be irrelevant or discontinued in the near future. In addition, there is a useful introduction to the principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and its impact on health professionals and the librarians who work with them. I especially enjoyed the chapter entitled ‘‘It’s About the People.’’ In this field of librarianship, perhaps more so than any other, the information provided can have a direct impact on the user. Whether we are assisting a surgeon to research the outcome of a certain treatment or guiding a concerned patient to reliable consumer health resources, the time and expertise we share with our patrons can be meaningful and influential. The Accidental Health Sciences Librarian is a quick and enlightening read. The authors provide firsthand accounts from those working in health sciences librarianship and attempt to address all aspects of the field. I enjoyed learning the history behind the NLM classification system and the other NLM tools. Since I came to this field by happenstance, I know they are important tools and how they help me and my patrons, but I did not know how they came to be so important. This book is a useful resource for any librarian who is interested in or already working in health sciences librarianship.