In September 2006 the 'Health Information and Libraries Journal'
(http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/hir) will publish its annual themed
issue. F0r 2006 the title will be 'Opportunity for change: the future roles
of the health library and information professional'.  Pam Prior,Library
Services Adviser from the West Midlands Deanery and Janet Harrison, Senior
Lecturer in the Department of Information Science at  Loughborough
University will be the guest editors for this special issue.

'HILJ' is the official journal of the United Kingdom's Health Libraries
Group of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information professionals

Prospective authors across the world are asked to submit a 150 word abstract
of their proposed paper to Janet Harrison ([log in to unmask]) by the
31st October 2005.The editors welcome original articles on projects and
research (2500 - 5000 words ) and Brief Communications on practice, studies
under way or the development of new resources and service (1000 - 2000
word). Authors chosen for the special issue will be asked to submit
manuscripts by the 1st February 2006 for peer review. There is an
expectation that the final papers will be ready by mid June 2006/
Professionals writing for the first time are especially welcomed and support
mechanisms will be established.

Health care across the world is witnessing major changes in the work roles
of those involved in delivering the service. Completely new roles are
emerging alongside other functions merging, blurring or disappearing
altogether . There are increased examples of the boundaries between
traditional occupational boundaries being very unclear. The factors which
are causing these changes include the increased influence of the patient/
service user, demographic forces,, technological developments and economic
constraints. Those working in the health library and information sector have
risen to the challenge of these dramatic times.

Many opportunities are emerging across the world to organise and support
access to knowledge in the workplace and support the patient journey. In
order to embrace and adapt to these new roles, people are needed who have
the right skills and who prepared to invest in personal development.

Very often development of these new roles happens where professionals are
embedded as equal members in multi-professional health care teams.  Effort
is need to nurture and reward them to encourage others to follow.

Janet Harrison and Pam Prior



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Pam Prior
Library Services Adviser, West Midlands

Library Services Development Unit
West Midlands Deanery
Birmingham Research Park
97 Vincent Drive
Birmingham
B15 2SQ

0121 414 7857
Fax 0121 4147855
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