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| Health Professionals in Galway University Hospital. Image from the HSE Library Day 2025 libguide. |
And then it arrived, HSE Library Day. I rose early, suited and booted, and headed down the N4 to Dr. Steevens Hospital. The place felt both familiar and strange. After 20 years working there before my move to Connolly Hospital, I was back now this time as a visitor helping to fan the flames of a spark.
The numbers told a compelling story.
Attendee feedback from in-person events: 93% said the event increased their awareness of the library, 87% rated library staff as excellent (only 1% rated them poorly). The likelihood of using the library after the event was measured on a sliding scale 63% responded positively with a 5- Very Likely and only 6% giving a 1-Not Likely.
HSE Library Day proved that visibility matters. For a long time, library staff have worked in the background, critical to health service delivery but rarely acknowledged. This single day shifted that narrative. It connected library staff across the country, reminded health professionals and managers of the resources at their fingertips, and demonstrated that all library staff actively contribute to evidence-based practice and patient care.
The Spark
That spark came from a brainstorming session at Cork University Hospital while planning our second library strategy. We dreamed big: ads on buses and the Luas, TV spots, radio coverage, maybe even President Higgins. The whole kit and caboodle. But beneath the ambition was something serious - a need to be heard. This invisible profession deserved its moment. A true legend, Sue Lacey Bryant, shared words that have stayed with me: librarians in the health service are health professionals. What better way to honour that truth than with our own day?
Building Momentum
First on board were our comrades in arms, library staff themselves. The HSE Library Staff Engagement Day 2025 gave us the perfect platform. Ideas flowed and filled a vibrant Padlet over the following months. With library staff behind us, nothing could stop us. But who were "us"? The HSE Marketing Group, of course, a small, sparky band of individuals passionate about health libraries and determined to make noise.
The process began in June 2025. We devised a two-pronged tagline "We are HSE Library – Making a Difference." We unveiled plans in a "Show and Tell" to all Library staff, then kept everyone connected through weekly emails. First to launch and keeping pace the whole way through was the social media campaign.
We created a pop-up LibGuide to promote events and showcase testimonials. We secured an article in Health Matters, the HSE's all-staff newsletter. We developed an identity toolkit, with graphics, posters, and email banners, and made it available on the Marketing Repository. We produced a "Save the Date" video featuring library staff, sourced promotional materials within budget, chased vendors for sponsorship, and helped organise the national webinar, livestreamed from Dr. Steevens Hospital on the day itself.
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| Image from the HSE Library 2025 Libguide. Picture credit: HSE, 2025. |
Challenges
It wasn’t all plain sailing. Communication gaps emerged. Wires crossed. "Who's doing what?" became a recurring question. Promotional materials were lost in the post. We ran short on merchandise. There was no funding for catering. Solo libraries felt the strain. But despite these hiccups, HSE Library Day exceeded expectations.
The Day Itself
HSE Library was celebrated with 50 events across every county. Hospital libraries hosted pop-up stands brimming with information, raffles, and sweet treats. Mullingar Regional Hospital invited visitors to try its new seating area and mindfulness collection. Cork University Hospital teamed up with Physiotherapy colleagues for stretching and meditation sessions. St. Columcille's Hospital ran quizzes and puzzle challenges. Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda packed in live music and a book signing by GP and bestselling author Claire Gleeson (Show Me Where It Hurts). Connolly Hospital held a children's art competition and exhibited the entries.
Coffee appreciation mornings warmed up Kerry and Wexford. Libraries in Galway, Mayo, and Sligo engaged staff with book displays, raffles, and competitions. The list could go on, but these snapshots capture the commitment and creativity of library staff nationwide.
The national highlight was the online event “Bridging the Gap: Empowering Evidence-Based Practice through Research and Library Resources 2025”, which brought together library leaders and health professionals to discuss how evidence and research are shaping healthcare in Ireland. Featuring contributions from Aoife Lawton, Dr. Ana Terres, Brendan Leen, Paddy Browne, Deirdre Bradley, Dr. Kieran Walsh, and Helen Clark which explored how HSE Library supports clinicians and managers in applying evidence to real-world decisions, improving outcomes and driving innovation.
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| HSE Library Day Hashtag image from the HSE Library Day 2025 libguide. Picture credit: HSE, 2025. |
Results
The numbers told a compelling story.
Attendee feedback from in-person events: 93% said the event increased their awareness of the library, 87% rated library staff as excellent (only 1% rated them poorly). The likelihood of using the library after the event was measured on a sliding scale 63% responded positively with a 5- Very Likely and only 6% giving a 1-Not Likely.
Library staff survey: 100% expressed satisfaction with the day, 61% rated Marketing Group support as excellent, 39% as very good, 92% found promotional materials very or extremely effective and 83% would participate again next year.
Social media impact: Nearly 40,000 impressions and over 2,400 engagements during the campaign. Human-centred storytelling and real-time event coverage drove the strongest interaction.
Sponsor engagement:
The British Medical Journal (BMJ) was our key sponsor. BMJ Best Practice app usage jumped 76% and product impressions increased 16.6% compared to the same period in 2024.
Overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Attendees reported increased awareness of library resources and a better understanding of how evidence services support clinical decisions. Library staff experienced heightened visibility, stronger engagement, and genuine appreciation for their work.
Conclusion: What’s it all about?
HSE Library Day proved that visibility matters. For a long time, library staff have worked in the background, critical to health service delivery but rarely acknowledged. This single day shifted that narrative. It connected library staff across the country, reminded health professionals and managers of the resources at their fingertips, and demonstrated that all library staff actively contribute to evidence-based practice and patient care.
The spark from that early brainstorming session has caught. Now the question isn't whether HSE Library Day should happen again, but how we can fan these flames higher. Because when health librarians step into the light, everyone in health service benefits, especially patients.
The invisible profession has been seen. And we're not going back into the shadows.
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