Peter Morgan
Judy Palmer and I found our paths crossing regularly over the years, each of us wearing a variety of hats from our respective bases in Oxford and Cambridge. Our closest formal contacts took place in 1994-96 during the brief lifespan of the NHS Anglia & Oxford Region, which brought together the two previously separate NHS regions – and thus the healthcare library networks that the two us of co-ordinated – serving East Anglia and Oxford. Judy’s editorship of Health Information & Libraries Journal (HILJ), where I was a member of the editorial board, provided us with further opportunities for collaboration. And there were regular encounters at conferences and other professional meetings.
In my memories of Judy throughout this period one attribute above all emerges: her ability to articulate her views, allied to her command of the evidence that supported her opinions. This made her a formidable contributor to any discussion – a welcome talent when we shared a position and a challenge when (as rarely happened) our views differed. It was always reassuring to attend any meeting that she chaired, confident in the knowledge that under her direction it would be focused and productive. And nowhere was this illustrated better than in one of our last professional interactions, when she chaired a session at the International Association of Technical University Libraries (IATUL) conference in Stockholm in 2007 at which I was one of three speakers. Before we started she summoned all three of us and explained that we were each permitted exactly 20 minutes, after which she would unhesitatingly bring our presentation to a halt if we had not already stopped. Knowing Judy well, I was aware that this was no idle threat and I managed to finish with 30 seconds to spare (she told me as much after consulting her stopwatch!), but the other two speakers were less amenable and suffered the ignominy of Judy calling time on their presentations.
But while Judy could undoubtedly be ruthless and forceful when the situation required it, she could also be an engaging companion, with a delightful sense of humour and an interest in the world around us that ranged far beyond the boundaries of professional responsibilities. Time spent in Judy’s company, in both professional and social settings, was never wasted.
Peter Morgan, formerly:
Medical Librarian, University of Cambridge
East Anglian representative, NHS Regional Librarians Group
Editorial Board member, Health Information and Libraries Journal
Dr Peter Leggate
I first met Judy when I interviewed her for a post in the Cairns Library at the John Radcliffe Hospital. She interviewed poorly but fortunately we still appointed her on the basis of a very positive reference (and phone call) from her previous employer. Our decision was fully justified. Her first task was to digitise the library’s card catalogue for use in a new, experimental library automation system, Bookshelf. Judy showed herself to be a fast, focussed and efficient worker and she completed this task with remarkable speed, cutting corners where necessary.
She went on to prove her effectiveness in more senior management positions in the Oxford Regional Library Service and the Radcliffe Science Library. I valued her as both colleague and friend who was highly intelligent, full of life and humour and very occasionally a shade acerbic!
Peter Leggate, formerly:
Librarian-co-Ordinator, University of Oxford and Oxford Regional Health Authority
Keeper of Scientific Books, Radcliffe Science Library, Oxford University
Dr Christine Urquhart
I knew the name Judy Palmer from very early days as a health librarian. When I moved from the NHS into a research post for Aberystwyth University, I appreciated all the help that Judy provided for the Value project from her well briefed and knowledgeable staff. I gradually found out a little more about her background, chancing one day on publications from her doctoral thesis. Ah – I thought, another scientist at work! I met Judy at various conferences over the years, and enjoyed discussions with her. Her last aside (she was good at sotto voce asides) was the reflection that when the same insoluble management problem came around for the third time, it was maybe time to move on. Wise advice, I believe.
Christine Urquhart,
Senior Lecturer Emeritus, Aberystwyth University
Sir Muir Gray
Judy epitomised the value of a librarian as someone who does not only catalogue and organise knowledge but understands the needs of those who wish to use it, or should be using it even if they do not appreciate its value. She was also the epitome of a librarian who was an excellent manager and leader, and she had a lovely personality.
Sir Muir Gray, formerly:
Regional Director of Public Health, ORHA
Regional Director of Research, ORHA
Director, National Library for Health
Penny Bonnett
I first came to know Judy in 1995 when she was Chair of the Health Libraries Group (HLG) and I was honorary secretary. Judy certainly kept me on my toes! Judy was very hard working and had a clear vision for the work in hand. She was quick thinking and committee meetings were run with great efficiency. I learnt a lot from Judy and thoroughly enjoyed my role working with her.
After my retirement from the BMA library in 1996 I took on the role of assistant editor of ‘Health Libraries Review’ (HLR). In 1999 Judy was appointed as editor of HLR following the retirement of Shane Godbolt, founding editor. It was with great delight I found myself working with Judy again. Judy had a clear vision for the development of HLR. She recognised the need within health care for the integration of services across sectors and the sharing of information between clinicians, librarians, information scientists, research workers, students and others. She also recognised that the journal was ideally suited to become a forum for the sharing and discussion of ideas between these different sectors.
Thus in 2002 the rather narrow title of the journal changed from ‘Health Libraries Review’ to the broader title of ’Health Information and Libraries Journal’ (HILJ), as it remains today. The new title attracted a wider selection of contributors and a wider readership. Ties were strengthened with the ‘European Health Information and Libraries Journal’ and contributions from overseas were encouraged. Under the new title the contents changed, meetings reports were transferred to the ‘HLG Newsletter’ and two new columns were added ‘Innovations Online’ and ‘Research’. later changed to ‘Using Research in Practice’.
After 4 years as editor the journal subscription base had grown, and the number and diversity of contributors had increased. The Journal had become a truly international journal of high standing. Judy had worked hard and encouraged the provision of many advances within the field of health care. It was time in 2002 for her to hand over the editorship to Graham Walton.
Penny Bonnet, formerly:
Assistant Editor, Health Information and Libraries Journal
Health Libraries Group 