By Yiyun Chen
Over the past two weeks, I was happy to join the library team at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) for a short placement. This experience has been both insightful and valuable, offering me a comprehensive view into the inner workings of an academical health library.
First-Day Introduction
The placement began with a warm welcome from the team. The Library Director David introduced me to the structure, history, and operations of the library—including some fascinating background on the building itself. The Department Administrator Kin guided me through essential health and safety information and helped set up everything I needed to get started.
Collection Services and Decolonization Work
During my time with the Collection Services team, Eloise introduced several key projects to me, including the revision of the Barnard Classification Scheme and efforts to decolonize the collection. It was interesting to see how classification work are being reimagined to be more inclusive and representative (and I’ve decided to choose the collection reclassification at LSHTM as my case study topic!). I also participated in stock take job, using the ALMA system to scan items and help resolve record discrepancies.
Primo Analytics Project
One of the most engaging parts of the placement was exploring the Primo analytics project. I learned how the team uses user data to refine the library discovery interface, such as improving layout, color schemes, and usability. I also created a draft communication plan to organize the survey and gather user feedback, which was a good practice for me to apply academic ability into a real working scenario.
User Service and Information Service Work
My time with the User Services and Information Services teams helped me appreciate how libraries provide hands-on support. I learned how to respond to inquiries at the service desk, process literature requests, and conduct one-to-one student consultations. Russell also walked me through the library’s extensive training program, which supports students and researchers in developing information literacy skills.
Learning About the Users
I was lucky to participate in a lab tour to better understand LSHTM’s research environment and the diverse needs of its students and research communities. This helped me see how library services align with highly specialized academic work.
Open Research and Final Thoughts
In my final days, I met with the Open Research team to learn about their support for open access and research data management. It was inspiring to see how the library contributes to global knowledge-sharing and scholarly communication.
Overall, my time at LSHTM has deepened my understanding of how modern academic health libraries operate, which blends technical systems, inclusive practices, and user-centered services. I’m incredibly grateful to the entire team for their kindness, guidance, and willingness to share their expertise.
