Joint library is important to our staff and students

The Yacca Library, a joint venture between James Cook University’s (JCU) Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, and the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS) is a little known hidden gem in Mount Isa.

The library’s collection of about 1000 books is focused on medical and health topics, but also has valuable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People’s health and local history collections available for inter-library loans to health services around Australia.

With almost 25 years working in libraries, Librarian Keith Stalling said the idea that libraries were just a place for books was outdated.

“The library is an important resource for staff, students and health professionals with access to many highly specialised databases, including Up to Date and CKN, and JCU databases,” he said.

“While requests vary from day to day, if we don’t have a requested title or article, we access all other Queensland Health Libraries and the JCU Eddie Koiki Mabo Library for assistance.

“It could be for doctors looking for a specialised procedure on one of the many databases we have access to, or journal articles and text books to assist students with their course assessment.

“One of our biggest assets is the YACCA tutorial room which provides private space for interviews, lectures or study.”

The library also houses documentary films produced by the Murtupuni Centre for Rural and Remote Health, and study resources for students on  American Psychological Association (APA) referencing, writing essays and understanding feedback.

Picture: Staff and students from both campuses for the first time celebrated Library and Information Week on the lawns outside the library at a morning tea.

Librarian Keith Stalling spoke to the crowd about the week's theme, Rewrite, Renew, Reimagine.