Michele R. Tennant Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida

1. Library-based Bioinformatics Support: Who and How?An Exploration of Librarian and Scientist Perceptions Michele R. Tennant Health Science Center Libraries, University of Florida University of Florida Genetics Institute tennantm@ufl.edu

2. Library-based Bioinformatics Support • University of Washington Health Sciences Library • Hired molecular biologist to provide support • See “A library-based bioinformatics services program”, Yarfitz and Ketchell, Bull Med Libr Assoc 2000 Jan;88(1):36-48. • Provided consultations, instruction, resource licensing and support

3. Library-based Bioinformatics Support • Since then, 30-40 estimated bioinformatics support providers in libraries: • Librarians without formal science background • Librarians with science degrees • Scientists without library degree • Scientists who then go to library school

4. Library-based Bioinformatics Services • In-depth consultations, e.g., change parameters in a BLAST search; use various databases and analysis tools • Instruction – one-on-one, course-integrated, workshops • Create resources – annotated websites, search tools, etc • Evaluate, select and license bioinformatics databases and analysis tools • Some traditional library tasks

5. Over the Years, a Number of ??s • Are libraries appropriate homes for bioinformatics support services? • Who should be hired – librarians, scientists, combinations? • How integrated into the traditional library should bioinformatics support providers be? • How well do scientists fit into library culture, and how do librarians feel about this invasion on their “turf”?

6. My interest in these questions • My own experience in transitioning from reference librarian to bioinformatics librarian • Reported experiences and perceptions of colleagues at other institutions (networking and traveling research grant)

7. The current study • Based on data collection from: • Structured interviews with bioinformatics support specialists (BSS) and their library directors • Focus groups of librarians and other library staff who do not provide bioinformatics support • Focus groups of researchers (faculty, post-docs, grad students)

8. and • Online surveys of: • Bioinformatics support specialists • Librarians who serve molecular, genetics, bioinformatics-related researchers • Librarians who do NOT serve molecular, genetics, bioinformatics-related researchers • Library directors who employ BSSs • Library directors who do NOT employ BSSs

9. Prior research • “Broad issues to consider for library involvement in bioinformatics”, R.C. Geer, J. Med. Libr. Assoc. 94(3):286-298, July 2006 • Existing staff or new hires? • What knowledge and skills are necessary? • Solely dedicated to bioinformatics tasks, or also traditional library roles? • Addressing cultural differences between library staff and scientists in the library • Establishing a “workable reporting structure that allows services to thrive”

10. Prior research • Information Specialist in Context study for MLA – Vanderbilt University Contractors; Sathe et al • Focus groups of librarians and ISICs (including bioinformatics support specialists) • Surveys of librarians/ISICs and clinicians/researchers • Scenarios (including bioinformationists) with questions concerning skills, abilities, education

11. Prior research • “A web-based assessment of bioinformatics end-user support services at US universities”, D.J. Messersmith, D.A. Benson, and R.C. Geer, J. Med. Libr. Assoc., 94(3):299-305, E-156-188 • Used web evidence of library-based bioinformatics instruction as an indicator of end-user support services • 15 libraries were found to provide such workshops

12. Who Are Bioinformatics Support Specialists? (n=20) • Education: • 20% MLIS or equivalent AND PhD in science • 20% MLIS or equivalent AND MS in science • 20% MLIS or equivalent AND BA/BS in science • 15% PhD in science – no library degree • 10% MLS only – no science degree

13. Who Are Bioinformatics Support Specialists? • Employment: • 45% in university or college health sciences library • 25% in university or college sciences library • 5% in university or college “main” library • 5% corporate library

14. Who Are Bioinformatics Support Specialists? • How paid? • 65% permanent funding from library • 10% academic unit funding • 5% library grant funding • 5% soft (time-limited but not grant) funding from library • 5% soft (time-limited but not grant) funding from academic unit

15. Who Are Bioinformatics Support Specialists? • Status? • 40% staff – continuing appointment track • 25% faculty – tenure track or tenured • 15% faculty – year-to-year contracts • 5% faculty – continuing appointment track

16. Who Are Bioinformatics Support Specialists? • Position Title? • 50% - some form of “librarian” in title • 35% – some form of “bioinform*” in title • 30% - some “science” term in title (other than “bioinform*”) • 15% – some form of “specialist” in title

17. Bioinformatics-related duties;respondents averaged 6.3/13 activities • In-person consultations – 94% • E-mail consultations – 82% • In-person workshops and training sessions – 77% • Phone consultations – 77% • Website or compilation of resources – 71% • Course-integrated instruction – graduate level – 65% • Host NCBI Field Guide – 47% • Host NCBI Mini-courses – 29% • Course-integrated instruction – professional students – 29% • College or department curriculum committee – 24% • Course-integrated instruction – undergrads – 18% • Seminar series coordinator – 18% • Joint appointment in science department – 6%

18. Library-based Bioinformatics Support

19. Why library-based support is appropriate • Centrality/neutrality of library • Librarians well-versed in information – bioinformatics just another form of information • Libraries traditionally provide instruction • Gaps elsewhere on campus, particularly in education and support

20. Knowledge/Skills (based on Sathe et al) • Library/info science skills* • Comprehensive subject knowledge • Research principles and practice • Study design • Specialized databases and info seeking • Understand info technologies • Critical appraisal/evidence synthesis

21. Knowledge/Skills (based on Sathe et al) • Outcomes assessment • Education/teaching skills • Understanding of environment • Translate complex knowledge • Problem solving/analytical skills • Organizational/project mgmt skills • Political and negotiation skills

22. Knowledge/Skills (based on Sathe et al) • Professionalism • Marketing/promotion skills* • Visioning • Quick thinking • Confidence • Service orientation*

23. Skills and Knowledge - BSS • Overall, perceptions of library directors and bioinformatics support specialists are very close over most criteria (from 0.00 difference to 0.25 difference). • Four criteria fell outside this range:

24. Researcher Focus Groups • Most important personal attributes: • Knowledge of subject area • Self-confidence (including ability to ask questions) • Oral and written communication skills • Patience • Proactiveness • Curiosity • Promptness, timeliness

25. Structured Interviews: Directors and BSS • Most important personal attributes: • Service orientation • Knowledge – speak language of researcher • Confidence • Oral and written communication skills – “reference interview” • Marketing/publicity skills – “salesmanship”, “self-promotion” • Motivation to learn new things – stay current

26. Skills and Knowledge - Librarians • Overall, perceptions of library directors and librarians who serve researchers are very close over most criteria (from 0.00 difference to 0.44 difference). • Five criteria fell outside this range:

27. Integration Into Traditional Library

28. NON-bioinformatics-related duties;respondents averaged 3.5/7 activities • Library committees – 83% • General e-mail reference – 61% • Non-bioinformatics workshops – 56% • General reference consultations – 44% • General reference desk – 39% • Non-bioinformatics collection development – 39% • Non-bioinformatics course-integrated instruction – 28% • None – all tasks are related to bioinformatics – 6%

29. Benefits of Integration • Part of the library team – morale • Learn library culture, service orientation • More easily make referrals • BSS can back-up reference staff

30. Issues Concerning Integration • Not enough time to build program • Not enough time to keep current • BSS not accomplished on desk – poor service • Too “traditional” – gives clients wrong perception • Unfair – other staff cannot provide back-up to BSS

31. Staff Focus Groups • If bioinformatics housed in library building, but no relationship to library or services, diminishes library/librarians • BSS’s hired as “librarians” to work reference and back out – results in librarian/staff resentment • BSS’s hired as “librarians” but without library degree – results in librarian/staff resentment • Why bioinformatics and not surgery?

32. Researcher Focus Groups;Director/BSS Interviews • Need at least MS in science; PhD not required • More important – someone who has performed laboratory research • Most important – someone who wants to help others, not be primary researcher

33. Summary • A number of bioinformatics support specialists reside in libraries; models of employment and activities vary • All groups surveyed indicated that bioinformatics support can appropriately be provided through the library • Library directors and BSS, and library directors and librarians generally agree concerning required skills and knowledge with a few important exceptions

34. Summary (continued) • Personal attributes required for success as a librarian are similar to those required for success by BSS • Library directors and BSS tend to agree concerning appropriate levels of integration, while librarians feel a greater need for BSS integration

35. Summary (continued) • There exists some tension between library staff and BSS at many institutions • It is important for existing library staff to understand why bioinformatics is appropriate for the library • It is important for library directors to be clear concerning BSS responsibilities, titles, etc

36. Summary (continued) • All library respondents perceive value and comfort among BSS and librarians • Researchers, BSS and directors believe the MS in science and lab experience are important for BSS, while the MLS is not • Researchers believe that the most important criterion is to find someone who wants to help others, rather than perform their own research