Developing information skills training to meet the changing needs of veterinary education

Abstract

This paper uses the example of the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine Libraries at the University of Edinburgh. It examines the changing course structure in veterinary medicine and shows how information skills training has developed to provide students with transferable skills which they can take into their veterinary career. This is particularly relevant as the profession is increasing the emphasis on continuing professional development. The paper investigates how staff in the Veterinary Libraries have collaborated with colleagues in the Medical Libraries, using the example of information skills training for medical students to tailor training for veterinary students. The paper will discuss how Library staff liaised with the Veterinary School to integrate information skills training into the undergraduate curriculum. The paper will also discuss information skills training of postgraduate students and staff in the Veterinary School. Finally, the paper will show how the Veterinary Subject Guide on Library Online (http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/resbysub/vet.shtml) was developed to assist ease of access to resources for students. Relevance to the conference: The work described in this paper covers several of the conference themes including: training programmes, liaison with clients, teaching Internet search skills, knowledge sharing and developing library websites. Finally, it suggests that a 21st century veterinary library must develop to meet its clients’ needs and provide them with the transferable skills they require in 21st century veterinary medicine.