Bridging the divide: addressing gaps in Australian health library services

Abstract

Access to evidence-based information is vital for safe, effective health care, yet Australia's health library services are increasingly fragmented and inequitable. This perspective highlights the critical role of clinical libraries and professional librarians, revealing gaps across hospitals, professions, and jurisdictions. It argues that Open Access and university libraries cannot meet clinicians’ practical needs and calls for a nationally coordinated strategy, including a unified portal, harmonised standards, and workforce planning, to ensure all healthcare professionals can access and apply high-quality evidence.