Selection decisions are based on direct response to the approximately 150 reference queries received each month. We record the subject of each reference query and ask patrons to specify their interests and concerns on their registration forms. The results are collated, checked against the library holdings and purchases are made according to need areas not addressed by the current collection. The dynamic nature of health information requires frequent evaluation for currency. Items older than three years are targeted for weeding, but new research may change medical practices more frequently.
Staff regularly consults medical news to ensure that the collection reflects current practices.
Roughly half of reference requests are made by telephone and information is mailed to the patron. Our collection of health newsletters, journals and magazines supports the IAC HRC index. In general, we subscribe to publications which are indexed on HRC but not available in full text. Not everyone feels comfortable discussing one's bowels with a stranger. We take liberties with our subject headings and add headings which match terms used by our patrons.