Equity, the digital library and a new Medical School
VALA 2008 CONCURRENT SESSION 7: Health Information
Wednesday 6 February 2008 15:10 – 15:40
Persistent URL: http://www.vala.org.au/vala2008-proceedings/vala2008-session-7-lattimore
Geoff Lattimore
Medical Librarian, University of Western Sydney
http://www.uws.edu.au
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Abstract
Inequity in health care provision for western Sydney in relation to the rest of the city was a key reason for the establishment of a medical school at the University of Western Sydney (UWS). After careful planning, the first intake of students commenced their studies in March 2007. UWS was keen to establish a school that made fundamental changes from the traditional past, in: student selection processes, curricula, teaching strategies and assessment methods. Key library staff were involved in the planning from the outset, providing an excellent opportunity to help shape the form and focus of the collection and the resources available for both staff and students. This paper outlines the process of consultation and the development of an exemplary medical library, which has as its focus a strong digital collection.