Purpose: This poster Will describe the process of evaluating and responding to the information needs of the National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities at the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention.

Settings/Participants/Resources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Information Center (CDC/lC) serves 12 centers, institutes, offices and one sister agency's library/information needs. In 2001, a new center was formed as part of the CDC: The National Center for Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities (NCBDDD). NCBDDD was formed from the Birth Defects Division of the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) as required by the Children's Health Act of 2000, which was signed into law on October 17,2000. The CDCIIC responded by forming focus groups with the NCBDDD staff to determine how to expand the CDC/IC's collections and services to meet the information needs of the new center. The selection of a coordinator within the new center to assist with identification and selection of staff from a representative variety of job descriptions was an important part of the process.

Methodology: A modified focus group technique utilizing a short data collection tool and a list of probing questions were the primary methods used to obtain useful information on the scientists expected to populate the new center. Data was captured related to information seeking behavior, including priority research areas and the topical nature of their requests. Members participating in the focus groups were selected based on a representative selection of job titles, including epidemiologists, health educators, EIS officers and program analysts. Two separate focus group meetings were held during which members were asked to fill out and discuss the probing questions. Focus group members were given both written lists of products as well as live demonstrations and feedback was elicited.

Results/Outcome: Ten products developed for use in the modified focus group sessions will be discussed in relationship to collection development, format (electronic or print) and the information needs of fifteen people attending the sessions. Based on the data collected, purchasing decision were made to enhance the library's collection in the areas of health policy, legislative information, statistics, and childhood disabilities. Analyzed data describing behavior and topical nature of requests will be related to collection development and service delivery. This model is transferable to other libraries dealing with the ever-changing scope of health care.