PDAs and health sciences libraries

The article explores the issues and opportunities for health sciences libraries surrounding the use of personal digital assistants (PDAs) by healthcare professionals. Six general trends, issues, and opportunities are identified, as well as ten potential roles for libraries. Health science librarians need to explore various potential roles, then, based on an assessment of local needs and resources, determine the level and extent of their commitment to PDA support. The underlying support by health sciences libraries for handheld information seeking, information storage, computing, and communication at the point of need and care should remain strong and unflagging.