Improve Reference and Research Support Services : Additional Reference and Research Support Services

LibGuides

LibGuides is a content management tool allowing librarians to organize and present library collections to the library’s users in a customizable fashion using Web applications.

The National Medical Library (NML) at UAE University has endeavored to create and develop the libguide with high professionalism and in line with the needs of medical students, researchers and faculty members. It also focused on using the guide as an easy-to-use marketing channel for the library's diverse resources of e-books, textbooks, theses and course resources that are updated annually depending on the medical school curriculum, and it is one of the most widespread guides between patrons. 

According to a study conducted by the library on October 2018, libguide has received a large turnout from patrons, reaching almost 19 000 library users since the first guide was published in September 2017.

It is designed to provides patrons with access to various databases, point of care tools and medical applications frequently used by students and health professionals. Divided and arranged according to topics and medical. To name a few, there is a guide to anatomy department, surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, and departments, lastly Obstetrics and Gynecology guide that received the largest share of visitors this year, as shown in the graph below.

Workshop

The workshop highlights practical techniques and encourages their use. It's an excellent method for teaching practical skills since it gives participants the ability to find out and make mistakes in a secure environment. Workshops give participants the chance to learn by applying what they have learned.

The National Medical Library focus on the importance of offering workshops to promote the libraries of the resources and services in order to help the patrons to explore the recourse of a specific topic with hands-on trainings and practical application. It gives the patrons the opportunity to put their practical skills to use in real life and practice with other members in an interaction environment.

The library conducts three types of workshops:

1.  Professional development workshops: where the librarian conducts the sessions to the targeted audience.
2. Organize online and onsite workshops: where the librarian coordinates with the vendor or publisher to demonstrate the training programs   
3. Pair-Pair workshops: where the librarians conduct a training session to their colleagues in any topic to exchange their knowledge, skills and experiences.

Ask librarian

Ask librarian is reference contact point that act as a collaborative reference service that connects students, faculty members and researchers of the university and outside users with the librarian. The objectives of this service are to provide users with the necessary information, create communication channels between information experts and patrons, and learn from user experiences and feedback.

The National Medical Library offers an online and in person reference service that allows patrons to ask questions about the library resources and services, as well as how to find information. The users can chat live with a librarian no matter where they are getting immediate information and assistance. Ask librarian service is available 54 hours per week including the evening shifts.