Medical librarianship is a service profession.  Medical or health science librarians provide health information about new medical treatments, clinical trials, procedures, tests, and equipment to physicians, allied health professionals, nurses, patients, their families, and community residents.  They help health care professionals provide quality care to patients, help patients and families find information to understand their health conditions, and provide information to the health care industries.

A medical librarian needs a Master’s of library and information science degree from an American Library Association-accredited school.  The Lake Health Resource Centers located at TriPoint Medical Center and at West Medical Center are staffed by two professional medical librarians, Holly Kimborowicz, MLS, AHIP, Health Science Librarian or Cathy Murch, MLIS, AHIP, Systems Librarian.

The Medical Library Association (MLA) is the professional association for medical librarians with more than 4,000 health sciences information professional members and partners worldwide.  MLA provides lifelong education opportunities, supports a knowledgebase of health information research, and works with a global network of partners to promote the importance of quality information for improved health to the health care community and the public.

The letters AHIP after Holly and Cathy’s names stand for the Academy of Health Information Professionals.  AHIP is a professional development and career recognition program of MLA.  Members of the academy are credentialed as health information professionals by demonstrating their academic preparation, professional experience and professional accomplishments.

The April 2010 issue of the Journal of the Medical Library Association article, "Health sciences libraries building survey, 1999-2009" by L. Ludwig, included a brief description of the new Lake Health Resource Center at TriPoint Medical Center.  A copy of the article is available from the Lake Health librarians.

For more information about medical or health science librarianship, or about the Medical Library Association, visit the MLA website at www.mlanet.org.

If you would like more information, please contact a Lake Health Professional Librarian