Welcome to the second week of Medical Librarians Month for 2026.
Congratulations to Luke Everson from LaTrobe University, who was victorious in the week 1 quiz. He was randomly selected from 21 entries who correctly answered all 5 questions, out of a frankly astonishing 133 total respondents. Surely you all have systematic review searches to finish off (says the librarian writing stupid quizzes who definitely has systematic review searches that need finishing off… and HLA presentations that need starting finishing). Luke’s prize is a gloriously analogue replica Gameboy, replete with 108 games and no internet connectivity. No cookies, no algorithms, no advertising, no sloppy summaries, no logins, no 2FA. Just nostalgia and the unalloyed joy of digital distraction and cortisol-sluicing addiction. ( Fun fact, if Marty McFly went back from today, he would go back to… 1996). Correct answers from last week’s quiz are below.
For this week’s quiz, simply identify the Australian hospital that has a health library somewhere within its rabbit warren. Feel free to forward on to any colleagues who may not be on this list but who might appreciate momentary respite from bed block and budget constraints. And remember, if you cheat a Portuguese journalist will leak your emails and after an 8 year investigation you will have your victory rescinded and your Gameboy reclaimed.
Welcome to Medical Librarians Month for 2026. To celebrate, Health Libraries Australia is offering the highest of all art forms… a quiz. Each Friday in October there will be a 5 question quiz. All correct answers will go in the draw for a mystery prize… It could be a surplus stapler, it could be Radiohead tickets.
For this week’s quiz, simply identify the missing word/s from genuine article titles. Yes, you could easily look them up, but where is the fun in that? (Medical Librarians have far more integrity than Manchester City accounting executives).
And please, cover your loved ones in bubble wrap and never let them leave the house, or they too might be featured in an injurious case report.
Cassandra Gorton is a health librarian, the Manager – Access & Discovery at Monash Health, the chair of the Victorian Health Libraries Consortium, and the treasurer of Health Libraries Inc.
Gemma Siemensma is a health librarian, the Library Manager at Grampians Health, a member of the Victorian Health Libraries Consortium, and the convenor of ALIA Health Libraries Australia.
John Prentice is a health librarian, the Library Manager at the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and the secretary of the Victorian Health Libraries Consortium.
The latest issue of the Journal of Health Information and Libraries Australasia (JoHILA) includes:
An interesting, thoughtful, entertaining editorial (The Moon Under Water)
An insight into the history and applicability of the ELIZA effect
A clinical psychologist’s journey completing a systematic review, with a little help from an AI research assistant & a helpful librarian
Don Keast’s recollection of 50 things he did promoting a small library (A Paean For Small Libraries)
A number of personal pieces including a new health librarian’s reflection on her first year (More Questions Than Answers)
And more including – of course – some human-generated AI articles
Submissions to JoHILA, large and small, are always welcome. A case study, a photo essay, a strident opinion, robust research, a quality improvement initiative, a resource review… share with your colleagues, and grow the profession together. Just send an email to Daniel McDonald to get started
Dr Ranjana Srivastava is an oncologist, Fulbright scholar, and award-winning writer. She is a long-time columnist for The Guardian newspaper where she writes on the intersection of medicine and humanity. Ranjana practices in the Victorian public hospital system and specialises in geriatric oncology, the care of older patients with cancer. She also has a deep interest in the welfare of multicultural and disadvantaged communities.
Ranjana’s two Fulbright awards allowed her to obtain a fellowship in medical ethics at the University of Chicago and a Master in Public Administration at Harvard University.
Among her many awards, Ranjana is the recipient of a Human Rights Literature Prize for her book, Dying for a Chat. She recently won the Kennedy Award for Outstanding Columnist for her writing on compassion in medicine. Her TEDx Talk The Art of Medicine is a thoughtful reflection on the importance of honesty in medicine. Her commitment to ethical medicine saw her receive a Medal of the Order of Australia for her contribution to doctor-patient communication.
A conference doesn’t just happen by itself, and we’d like to thank our Platinum, Gold & Silver sponsors for their support in bringing this year’s joint conference to you.
👉 Please take some time to visit their stands at the Trade Fair in October.
William Angliss Institute Conference Centre Level 5, Building A, 555 La Trobe Street Melbourne, VIC 3000
Time:
Registration and Trade Show opens at 8:30am. Conference starts at 9:00am Thursday & Friday 15 & 16 October, 2026
Transport:
Train: The closest train stations are Flagstaff (just above the red arrow on the map) & Southern Cross (green square on the map)
Trams: Various trams will take you near the William Angliss Institute. Google Maps using Public transport will show the various options from your location. Trips are free within the CBD area. If payment is required, you only tap on at the start of the trip; no need to tap off at the end.
Flights: The red SkyBus can be used from Melbourne Airport to Southern Cross Station
Payments: You can use a credit card to pay by tap on Melbourne trains and trams. Myki cards can also be used.
