Mirtha Mejías Quintana, main specialist of the medical library of the Octavio de la Concepción de la Pedraja pediatric hospital, is one of the outstanding professionals in her work in the province of Holguín. A story that this June 7, the day of the Cuban librarian, is useful to tell to learn more about the operation of the network of medical libraries in the territory.
Is it important for a health center to have a medical library?
“Of course, because as a specialist I provide a specialized service to all students, residents and, in a general sense, a health professional who comes to look for information on a certain topic.
I have been doing this work in the pediatric hospital for 18 years but in public health I have been a specialist in the work for 34 years. In that time I have learned how important it is for a health institution to have a space like this because all the professionals who want to improve themselves and receive specialized information about the search they want to carry out can come there”.
How much preparation does working in a medical library involve?
“The Library Science career is studied in five years, first becoming a medium technician, then preparing to become a specialist. For me it is very important that the librarian of a health center is well prepared to be able to provide the information requested by the users”.
At a time when many say that new technologies have displaced traditional books, are medical libraries in danger of disappearing?
“From my point of view, traditional books will continue to be used by professionals. Although the digital age has contributed a lot to managing knowledge, there are also many who are committed to touching and handling books. I even know professionals who do not have digital resources such as a computer or cell phone and a book is more affordable.
In the medical libraries we offer different services such as current loans that the user can take and consult when they need it”.
What do you consider to be the main challenge for specialists working in medical libraries?
“Keep improving more and more ‘because with all the amount of information that exists today, you must know how to best use it, collect it and provide the best possible service to the users who visit us.”
Mirtha has dedicated the last 18 years of her life to managing knowledge in one of the 61 medical libraries that the public health system has in this northeastern territory.
May she serve her story and the love she professes for her work to recognize those who as guardians of care and organization keep medical libraries running. It also serves as a tribute to Antonio Bachiller y Morales, considered the first Cuban bibliographer, which is why this celebration takes place in greeting to her birth.
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