Implementing a Novel Service Model for Writing Support at an Academic Health Sciences Library

Background: Writing and publishing are essential skills for careers in academic medicine and biomedical science. While the library has many services to support different aspects of the research and publication process, there was a lack of support for the writing aspect of the process. Furthermore, as a standalone graduate school, there was no writing center to which we could refer writing help inquiries. To address this gap, we set out to develop a Writing Support Service aimed at helping students and trainees at our institution improve the flow, structure, and style of their writing in a collaborative and confidential setting.

Description: We developed a proposal which included a needs assessment with SWOT analysis, an implementation and assessment plan, a budget, and a timeline. Our proposal was greeted enthusiastically and greenlighted by library leadership.

Using various LibApps, we developed a website (LibGuide), an appointment request form (LibWizard), a post-consultation satisfaction survey (LibWizard), and a service utilization tracking form (LibInsight). The website clearly lays out service parameters and expectations for users of the service as well as policies regarding eligibility, scheduling, and cancellation. Appointments are provided by a qualified consultant with science writing expertise, while service administration (including recruiting writing consultants, promoting the service, and triaging writing appointment requests) is managed by library staff. The effectiveness of the service is evaluated through analysis of usage statistics and user satisfaction surveys.

Conclusion: The library’s Writing Support Service has enjoyed robust and increasing usage since its launch in September 2018. The highest proportion of users have been medical students followed by graduate students and residents/fellows. Writers most frequently utilize the Writing Support Service for help with personal statements and other application-related documents as well as manuscripts intended for publication. Feedback from post-consultation surveys demonstrates that the library’s Writing Support Service has been successful in enhancing the writing skills of students and trainees, with 90% of post-consultation survey respondents indicating that what they learned in the session has helped them improve their writing. The implementation and success of this program demonstrates that libraries can facilitate writing support for students at the graduate level.