Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
BACKGROUND: In the recent times of recession and budget cuts, it is more important than ever for library and information services to deliver cost-effective services. OBJECTIVES: This rapid review aims to examine the evidence for the most cost-effective ways of delivering enquiry services. METHODS: A literature search was conducted on LISA (Library and Information Sciences Abstracts) and MEDLINE. Searches were limited to 2007 onwards. RESULTS: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The studies covered hospital and academic libraries in the USA and Canada. Services analysed were 'point-of-care' librarian consultations, staffing models for reference desks and virtual/digital reference services. CONCLUSIONS: Transferable lessons, relevant to health library and information services generally, can be drawn from this rapid review. These suggest that 'point-of-care' librarians for primary care practitioners are a cost-effective way of answering questions. Reference desks can be cost-effectively staffed by student employees or general reference staff, although librarian referral must be provided for more complex and subject-specific enquiries. However, it is not possible to draw any conclusions on virtual/digital reference services because of the limited literature available. Further case analysis studies measuring specific services, particularly enquiry services within a health library and information context, are required.
Sutton et al. (Thu,) studied this question.