Library requirements and problem-based learning: The Medical Sciences Library, The University of the West Indies.

Abstract

The Medical Sciences Library (MSL) is a small, new library in a newly created faculty—The Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS), The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad, Trinidad and Tobago. The FMS, from its inception in October 1989, has used the problem-based learning (PBL) method of teaching. A survey was undertaken to determine if the MSL meets the requirements of a library involved in the PBL process. The MSL has 3,000 square meters of space, is housed on one level of a building, and can seat 800. The public area of this centrally air-conditioned building is carpeted. There is an audiovisual center, which has a television, five video recorders, and a videodisc player. Other facilities consist of an audiovisual group viewing room, which seats up to twenty-five people; three seminar rooms, which facilitate group study; and a training room, which houses a multimedia computer and other equipment. Library collections include 25,000 book titles, 900 of which are in the reserve collection and 550 in the reference collection. The MSL subscribes to 500 serial titles and has a wide range of audiovisual material, small medical library and computer literature collections, and computer-assisted instruction (CAI) programs. The MSL is a Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) depository library, uses the NLM classification scheme, is fully automated, and conducts information literacy programs every semester. The library is centrally located near to classrooms, amphitheaters where large group lectures are held, the cafeteria and restaurant, dormitories, and the hospital. It is staffed by a head librarian and four professionals. These four are assigned positions of reference, audiovisual, cataloging, and acquisitions/serials librarians, and form part of a pool that services shifts when the library is open. There are also eight library assistants, five library attendants, and an audiovisual technician. The library is open for service seventy-one hours per week during the semester. Opening hours are 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Monday to Thursday, and 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday. The library is closed on Sundays.

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