Reflections from the International Clinical Librarians Conference – Leicester, June 2025

by Julian Robinson, Clinical Knowledge Specialist

A few of us had the pleasure of attending the International Clinical Librarians Conference in Leicester this June—a vibrant two-day event packed with inspiring projects and thought-provoking reflections from healthcare librarians across the UK and beyond.

One of the standout moments was hearing about librarians who are fully embedded in clinical teams. One colleague shared her experience of conducting live literature searches during a surgical symposium—a high-pressure, high-impact role! She even went head-to-head with AI in real-time, demonstrating to a room full of surgeons just how valuable a skilled human is when it comes to critically filtering evidence.

I particularly enjoyed a session that traced the evolution of the clinical librarian role. It was fascinating to learn how our profession has grown in tandem with the rise of evidence-based practice since the 1990s. While libraries have embraced digital transformation, it was heartening to hear that users still deeply value the physical library space—as a neutral, supportive environment to study, access IT and printing, and connect with knowledgeable staff.

What struck me most was the strong sense of affirmation. Many of the projects showcased were areas where we already shine as a team—outreach, embedded teaching, tailored alerts—it was a great reminder of the impact we’re already making within our Trust.

I also had the opportunity to present a paper on our work supporting systematic reviews. It was incredibly rewarding to share our experiences with the wider profession, take a step back from the day-to-day, and reconnect with colleagues. I came away feeling inspired, energised, and proud of the work we do.