As a section, the
Medical Libraries Section (MLS) is one of the latest but also a prestigious
part of the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). It is
one of three sections of the Continuous Education Department, in itself
relatively new in DHA. But this does not mean that the concept of
‘libraries’ is new for the DHA. Like in any organization, libraries have
been and are considered the ‘hub’ of activities here.
The history of libraries in the DHA dates back to early1970s when the
first library started in Rashid Hospital. The next to appear was the
Institute of Nursing Library in 1972. After that it was the Dubai Hospital
Library, then Al Wasl Hospital, then Primary Health Care and the last, but
not the least, to appear on the horizon was the Rashid Medical Library which
attained the honor of becoming not only the main library but also the most
modern, most beautiful and most well laid out of all. Today the DHA boasts
of a Medical Library Section consisting of 6 full-fledged electronic
libraries – standing firmly like rocks in their respective domains but
linked together by a common network making them one solid entity.
Each of the above six libraries is unique in its own way, be it the
collection or the patrons using it. The Al Wasl Hospital library, e.g., is
just the right place for a patron needing to know about
obstetrics/gynecology. Likewise, the Institute of Nursing has a library full
of material meant for the nursing profession. The Primary Health Care
Library takes care of the community related needs of the users. The point
here is that though all six are medical libraries, each one is specialized
in itself making the MLS a powerful collection for the medical profession.
The MLS collections include books, journals, models, charts, slides, films,
videocassettes, audiocassettes, CD ROMs, electronic books, electronic
journals and other electronic databases, including the Metadata. All the
libraries together have more than 15,000 titles to their credit. And they
have a vast variety of readers using the facilities every day.
The DHA is always looked up to for its futuristic approach to important
matters. Its Medical Library Section does not lag behind in this respect.
The libraries are supported by one of the world’s best library automation
systems, ‘Horizon’. As the name implies, the National Medical Library (USA)
Classification System, which is the most appropriate for any medical
library, is used to classify the library collections. It is hoped that as
time passes the Medical Library Section will grow manifold from strength to
strength and will establish itself as one of the major reference centers in
the region.
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By Mrs. Ira Bhargava, Librarian, DHA. |
