HLSP Informational Brochure
HLSP Resources LibGuide
HLSP Member Hospitals
About HLSP
The HLSP is committed to facilitating and promoting knowledge-based information in hospital environments, resulting from the combination of health information, technology, human collaboration, and access to information resources. WNYLRC administers the HLSP, which is funded in part by a grant from the New York State Department of Education, Division of Library Development, and hospital participation fees. MISP funds are allocated to regional acute care hospital libraries and other institutions to offset interlibrary loan expenses. Hospital participation fees are determined by levels of participation and hospital bed size.
The HLSP fulfills the information needs of hospital administrative, allied health, medical, nursing, and support staff and promotes interdisciplinary library environments. The HLSP was formed in 1982 by the New York State Legislature and is a critical connection to current healthcare information access. This program is designed to provide medical information services to acute care hospitals throughout the six counties within the WNYLRC service region. The HLSP helps hospitals meet and comply with knowledge-based health information T.J.C. standards and other state and specialty-specific organizational standards. Circuit librarians travel over 6,000 miles each year to provide library services to rural community hospitals and urban medical centers.
Value-added benefits to participating hospitals include HLSP-subsidized access to Hospital Library Online resources, cooperative purchasing programs that provide preferred discounts on books, databases and serial service charges, and free or low-cost continuing education and training classes. The HLSP annually offers several classes with Medical Library Association continuing education credits. It has also secured grants from outside organizations, such as the National Library of Medicine, to benefit participants.
HLSP offers two primary program options:
- Grant Hospitals: For the larger teaching hospitals, HLSP provides grant funds to supplement the hospital’s library materials and equipment budget, resulting in enhanced healthcare information access in the W.N.Y. community. Eligible hospitals must be under the direction of a .5 minimum FTE M.L.S. librarian to receive a grant.
- Circuit Hospitals: Circuit librarians regularly schedule on-site visits and provide off-site services when requested for hospitals without a librarian on staff. They conduct reference and database searches, facilitate interlibrary loan requests, provide database and search training, visit hospital departments, and develop and manage on-site library collections.
