Medical libraries in county hospitals, Hungary. A comparative evaluation

Abstract

Based on data obtained from the libraries of nine country hospitals in Hungary, and on their comparative analysis, their current ievel has been determined that can and should be improved. Starting from the tasks of these medical libraries, the following factors were evaluated: organizational situation of the libraries, personnel conditions determining their professional role, operational conditions, especially their computer environment. The comparative evaluation of the input of these libraries include their printed and electronic collections, the processing and availabiltty of these collections, and their reader/user communities. On the output side the quantitative data of their various Services are compared. The conclusions drawn from the analysis and the proposals that have been formulated, assisted by the cooperative efforts of those involved, may influence the satisfaction of challenges by the particular hospitals and their social environment.