Rachel Lane Walden, MLIS 
Health Sciences Informationist 
Eskind Biomedical Library 
Vanderbilt University 

Editor’s note: On a regular basis, we publish profiles of librarians who have been an integral part of Doody Enterprises, whether they have served on our Library Board of Advisors, as a Librarian Selector for Doody’s Core Titles, or on the editorial board/as a List Selector for Doody’s Special Topics Lists. This month, we are profiling a librarian who has served as a Librarian Selector for Doody’s Core Titles since 2022: Rachel Lane Walden of Vanderbilt University.     

Where do you currently work and what is your position? 

I am a Health Sciences Informationist and Librarian III at the Annette and Irwin Eskind Family Biomedical Library and Learning Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. I do reference and instruction for our health sciences patrons, including the staff at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC). I also serve as the library liaison to the School of Nursing.  

Provide a brief description of your library and its services. 

Eskind Biomedical Library (EBL) supports the education, research, and patient care mission of Vanderbilt University and the VUMC. The library serves as the primary information resource for the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, and the Vanderbilt University Medical Center. EBL consists of four units: Public Services, Information & Instruction Services, Collection Management, and Document Delivery Services. Reference and Instruction Librarians act as partners with the Vanderbilt community by providing research assistance and support such as literature searching and consultations, and training on various information resources and citation management programs.   

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

I first started in February 2015, right out of library school (USC-Columbia, SC) as a Library/Knowledge Management Intern at EBL when they were still part of the Medical Center. During that time, I worked on a self-directed health science library and knowledge management training program. Within four months, my title changed to Coordinator for Reference Services and four months later, I was promoted to a full librarian position. 

Name two of the most important issues facing the profession today. 

Two of the most important issues are burnout and constantly having to prove our worth. Many librarians can probably think of a time when we were (or still are) having to do more with less. On top of that, we have to find new ways to showcase our work so we can hopefully get more funding for collections, resources, and staff to keep up with the demand.  

What is one innovation, product, or service in your library that you’re excited about? 

I am excited about Covidence, a platform for managing and streamlining systematic reviews. We are doing more literature review work with faculty/staff/students, so providing access to an easy-to-use screening software has been amazing. It works really well for all types of reviews, not just systematic reviews, and helps with teaching the review process to students and new professionals.  

Why do you serve as a DCT Librarian Selector? 

I really like being involved in the process; everyone has been so fantastic to work with. Being a selector has also considerably improved my subject matter expertise, which has been a great help when faculty need to find a new book for their courses.  

Anything else you’d like to share? 

I’m a newly certified Divemaster and assist with teaching folks how to scuba dive in Nashville with the Island Hoppers Scuba shop. Feel free to reach out to me through email (rachel.l.walden@vanderbilt.edu) or LinkedIn if you want to connect and talk about library or scuba stuff.