Tuulevi Ovaska

Managing library processes: collecting data and providing tailored services to end‐users

Purpose – To present the process of creating the quality management system of the Kuopio University Library (Finland) and its auditing.Design/methodology/approach – Case study of the Librarys quality management systems building process, with some survey‐based material.Findings – The European Union has decided that some kind of quality management system should be established in its higher education institutions. This sets new challenges for the university libraries. The paper presents the fact that quality management can be used as a tool for leadership within the Library, improving the Librarys processes and marketing the Library within the University.Research limitations/implications – The paper is based on conditions in Finland.Practical implications – The paper gives an example of what implications national and international higher‐education policies have on a university library.Originality/value – The paper provides a model for quality management and quality system documentation.

International trends in health science librarianship: part 3 ‐ the Nordic countries

This is the third in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century. The invited authors carried out a survey of librarians in Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland to identify common developments in their countries. A focus on pedagogy was seen as the most important trend. Future issues will track trends in Southern Europe and Latin America. JM.

Making evidence-based decisions when organising information retrieval training for nurses and head nurses.

Using the PICO (Problem, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) framework, this feature presents a case study on the information skills strand of a continuing education programme delivered at Kuopio University Hospital in Finland for nurses and head nurses. H.S.

Reducing library space can promote the shift from storage of print-collections towards a learning-centre without limiting the access to information

Purpose – Libraries have changed due to many things, one of them being the shift from printed to electronic resources. Libraries become learning centres, providing more space for customers and less for stacks. Though information seeking habits have changed, especially students need places for studying and group work. In the case of Kuopio University Hospital Medical Library the shift has been influenced by space requirements for other hospital functions. The reduction of current physical space has led to revised collection policy that is now taking its final steps when the library is preparing to move to a new space. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – First, a 650 m2 library space was remodelled to a 450 m2 without major negative effects on services. Second, the hospital has assigned the medical library a new location where a new library space and learning centre will be renovated. Less space for print collections means that reliable delivery from print resources is cruc...