Editor’s Note: On a regular basis, we publish the profile of a member of Doody’s Library Board of Advisors (LBA). The LBA has guided the development of our company’s library services since our inception. With gratitude, this month we present the profile of Linda Walton of the University of Iowa Libraries.

Where do you currently work and what is your position?

I am one of two associate university librarians at the University of Iowa Libraries. My portfolio includes collections, liaisons, scholarly impact, and undergraduate education. Additionally, I serve as the principal investigator for the Network of the National Library of Medicine Greater Midwest Region.

When did you start in medical librarianship? What was your position? With what institution?

I began my career as a health sciences librarian in 1984 when I became the director of the Butler Hospital Library. Butler Hospital is a private adult psychiatric hospital based in Providence, Rhode Island.

Name two of the most important issues facing medical librarianship today.

While there are many issues facing health sciences librarianship, two issues that come to mind are open access initiatives and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Both issues center around health sciences research being accessible to everyone.

Why have you volunteered to serve on Doody’s Library Board of Advisors?

I have served on Doody’s Library Board of Advisors for many years. Doody’s works hard to develop tools and resources to help health sciences librarians do their jobs effectively and efficiently. The quality of the products is always very good and, as I mentioned above, they serve a purpose.

What is one thing you want to make sure all librarians know about Doody’s services?

The tiered structure developed to review and rank health sciences resources, primarily books, is not biased toward a publisher and Doody’s makes a point of including librarians, publishers, and health professionals in developing their products and services.