NHS Regional Librarians Group evidence to the Functions and Manpower Review 1993-94. Management of library services in the proposed new structure.

The mission of the library and information service is to ensure that the knowledge base of health care is available and accessible to all providers, purchasers and consumers, and to promote and encourage its effective use. Access should be free at the point of use. Library services should be a national and regional responsibility. The close association with Postgraduate and Continuing Medical and Dental Education should continue. Clear terms of reference for library and information services should guarantee access to these services for all National Health Service (NHS) staff. There should be greater emphasis on quality aspects of information. Information Management and Technology (IM & T) strategy should take full account of the needs of library and information services so that the NHS investment in information networks can be fully realized. Good practice in library and information services should be identified, promoted and disseminated. National Health Service Management Executive (NHS-ME) initiatives which affect the library services of the NHS should be co-ordinated. A working party of users and librarians, working within the Functions and Manpower Review implementation process, should define a structure for the management and provision of NHS library services which gives the most value for money.