Library Help
Hours of work:Monday - Friday: 8:30 - 17:00
Based at: Park Square, Luton Campus
You can contact me to make an appoinment
or check my availability by:
Telephone: 01582 489213 ext. 2213
Email: janine.bhandol@beds.ac.uk
In person: Customer Service Desk, Level 1 Park Square, Learning Resources Centre
I'm one of the librarians who support the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, and I have responsibility for supporting nursing, operating department practice, sports therapy, the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire post graduate medical school, and the British School of Osteopathy. I produce online subject guides for these areas which you can find here:
One of my main (and most enjoyable) roles is teaching students the skills to search, access and evaluate information. I passionately believe that good information skills can make health care professionals safer, more effective practitioners. I love to be a part of students' journeys from nervous first years to confident and competent health professionals.
When I'm not out and about at all the different campuses seeing students and meeting with academic staff, it's my job to ensure that library collections meet the needs of the curriculum, so I purchase books, journals and other stock after consultation with teaching staff. I'm currently going through BREO units making links from reading lists to the library catalogue to make accessing essential reading a 'one click' process.
I also support academic staff within my subject areas and am happy to meet with academics at their office to find out how I can help with their research or teaching needs. I also travel out to local hospitals, clinics and primary care trusts to see staff there and provide library support at their place of work. I have developed excellent relationships with local NHS library staff and we work together to provide support for students who are also working for the NHS. I want to make it as easy as possible for time-pressured health care professionals to get the support they need.
I am a Chartered Librarian and also completed a teaching qualification (PgCAP) so I understand all about the pressures of juggling studies, work and home life! I am currently working on some action research looking into the role of blogs in meeting the information needs of health care professionals. My blog is called Health Info Blog and is a current awareness service to allow you to keep on top of the latest news and research in your area. Why not take a look, and feel free to comment and subscribe!
