The Cochrane Library is now available to all Canadians for a nine month trial period ending December 31, 2009.  This pilot is a joint initiative of the Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre and CHLA/ABSC and was made possible by building on the leadership of the existing subscribers from provinces, territories and institutions across Canada.

Why is a pilot project needed?

While there is some information from the experiences with existing national, provincial and regional licensing initiatives, there is a need to evaluate the impact and use of the Cochrane Library as a pan-Canadian resource.  This will support the development of a business case that is clearly based on demonstrated value.  The pilot project will address the following questions:

• Which constituencies are not covered by existing licensing arrangements?
• What is the impact and use of the Cochrane Library when these gaps in access are addressed?
• Are there potential cost and administrative savings to be achieved through a coordinated national license?
• Can a sustainable  funding model for a single national license to the Cochrane Library be developed?
• What supports and resources do Cochrane Library users require?

Who already has access to the Cochrane Library?

Internationally, the citizens of Australia, England, Finland, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Scotland, Spain, Sweden and Wales can freely access the Cochrane Library. Efforts are underway in the European Union to establish equitable access throughout their 25 member states. The Cochrane Library is also provided free of charge to people in the world’s poorest countries.  In fact, half the world’s population has access right now!    

In Canada there are currently more than 150 Canadian subscriptions to the Cochrane Library.  Current licensing initiatives are in place for some provinces, territories and health regions and professional organizations, as well as staff students and faculty at most Canadian universities and teaching hospitals.  However despite this significant cumulative investment in licensing across Canada, many health care providers, consumers, researchers and decision makers do not have access.

Why is CHLA/ABSC supporting this pilot?

A nationally coordinated license to the Cochrane Library is an important first step towards the vision for a National Network of Libraries for Health (NNLH).  CHLA/ABSC has been working actively with the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information and other partners to develop and promote this vision.  The NNLH is designed to leverage and link existing resources to ensure that all health care providers in Canada will have easy access to the best information for patient care. It is designed to fit the Canadian health care model and fill in the information gaps inherent in a complex health delivery system.  For additional information please see:     http://chla-absc.ca/nnlh/indexe.htm

How can I help?

• Let your library users, colleagues, friends and family know about the Cochrane Library.
• Share your stories about the impact of this access.
• Assist in evaluation activities as needed.

What do I do if I can’t find the information I need in the Cochrane Library?

If you are affiliated with a health or public library, they can provide assistance in finding the information you require.  

The NRC Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information (NRC-CISTI), Canada’s national science library, provides information tools and services to the Canadian medical and health sciences community.  Contact NRC-CISTI at
info.cisti@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.

You may also find these Canadian evidence-based resources useful:

Health-evidence.ca
http://health-evidence.ca

Public health+
http://www.nccmt.ca/tools/public_health_plus-eng.html

Questions about this initiative?

Please e-mail us at info@chla-absc.ca