Staff

Welcome to the John Squire Library

The John Squire Library is a multidisciplinary health care library providing information services to the following groups:

• North West London Hospitals NHS Trust staff
• Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust staff
• Harrow PCT staff
• Hillingdon PCT staff
• Brent PCT staff
• Northwick Park Institute for Medical Research (NPIMR) staff
• Imperial College School of Medicine groups based onsite
• Staff from other organisations based onsite (BOMC, CRUK, MRC)
• Various categories of students based onsite
• GP's & practice nurses working within Brent and Harrow
• St. Luke's Hospice staff

We also admits bona-fide users as visitors for reference purposes. They should note that some of the services described are only available to the above groups (registered members), and that for others, a system of differential pricing operates for visitors. The library can accommodate up to 94 readers on two floors.

The collections

The library holds an extensive book and journal collection covering the biomedical sciences, clinical medicine, nursing and related subjects. There are subsidiary collections of general reference material and electronic books. A large proportion of the stock is available for loan to library members.

In addition, a growing number of electronic journals are available to NHS staff.

Services

A wide range of services is provided. The KA24 service provides access to databases, including MEDLINE, CINAHL (nursing and allied health), the British Nursing Index (BNI) and over 1000 full-text journals over the Internet for NHS staff. Full training can be given in conducting effective literature searches. Access to the Internet is offered as are word processing and spreadsheet facilities. Document delivery services include the provision of internal and interlibrary loans, and the photocopying of copyright material (subject to certain legal restrictions).

The library contributes to the production of the North Thames Current Awareness Bulletin for Nurses, Midwives and PAMs, copies of which can be obtained from the library, or sent on a monthly basis on request.

The Patients' Library

The Patients' Library provides recreational library services to the in-patients of Northwick Park & St. Mark's Hospitals and employs two part-time staff and a number of volunteers. There are visits to the bedside by volunteer librarians, and a well-furnished library room which may be used both by hospital staff (who must join formally before borrowing books) and by ambulant patients. 

The library room is on level 6 outside Fielding Ward in the main ward block, and is open on weekdays between 9.30 and 4.30.

Book sales are held twice a year to raise funds and there is an on-going sale of second-hand books outside the library. The Patients' Librarian is always pleased to discuss any aspect of the service with anyone or to receive constructive criticism.

For more information, visit the Patients' Library website.