Celebrating National Medical Librarian Month

October is National Medical Librarian Month, a time to celebrate librarians and library technicians' vital role across the MUHC.    They’re more than information experts — they’re partners in care, research, and education.  

This year, we're spotlighting Ibtisam Mahmoud, Medical Librarian, whose long-standing dedication reflects the spirit of collaboration and compassion that defines the MUHC. 

Ibtisam’s journey with the MUHC began in 1997, when she completed her internship at the Nurses Library as part of her Graduate Diploma in Library Studies at Concordia University. That experience sparked a lifelong passion for medical librarianship and evidence-based healthcare.  

Over the past two decades, Ibtisam has supported the MUHC community in several roles — from her early work at the Montreal General Hospital Medical Library, to serving as the solo librarian at the Montreal Chest Institute (2005–2015), and later at the Montreal Children’s Hospital Medical Library (2015–2020). Since 2020, she has been supporting all MUHC Medical Libraries, providing clinicians, researchers, and learners with the information and tools they need to deliver the best possible care.  

When asked what the MUHC means to her, Ibtisam shared:  

“To me, the MUHC represents collaboration, compassion, and a shared commitment to improving lives through evidence-based care, research, and innovation. Being part of the MUHC means being surrounded by people who are passionate about making a difference — and I’m proud to contribute by supporting them with the best information and resources available.”  

Librarians like Ibtisam play a vital role in helping healthcare professionals, researchers, and trainees access evidence-based information — from expert literature searches and research support to training and reference management. Their work helps ensure that knowledge drives better decisions every day.   

In addition to the Glen site, the MUHC Libraries include locations at the Montreal General Hospital and The Neuro, as well as the Patient Resource Centre for adult patients. To learn more about all MUHC library services and resources, visit muhclibraries.ca 

The Montreal Children’s Hospital also has the Family Resource Centre and Library. Librarians support families, caregivers, and staff with reliable, up-to-date health information and patient education resources. They help parents explore their collection of over 2,000 carefully selected books, guide staff through evidence-based research, and provide access to digital resources and reliable information about child health and wellness.  

From reading sessions and arts and crafts on the hospital floors and clinics to special events like Orange Shirt Day and Black History Month, everyone is invited to explore the library and its resources.  Visit their website for more information. 

As we celebrate National Medical Librarian Month, take a moment to recognize the expertise and dedication of our library team — and the essential role they play in advancing patient care and medical discovery across the MUHC.