Systematic Review Services Specialization
Earning a Systematic Review Services Specialization (SRSS) shows employers and colleagues that you have the information retrieval and management skills to support users and researchers in conducting high quality and reproducible systematic reviews.
Why Get Your SRSS?
Learning and developing SRSS skills can build your confidence and ability to participate in evidence synthesis projects as a respected member of a research team and can increase your value to the groups you serve, your library, and your institution—and expand your career possibilities.
Special Offer: SRSS Pathway Package for Level 1 and Level 2
To make earning your SRSS certificate more affordable, MLA offers discounted packages of courses for each SRSS Level. For more information and to purchase, please visit SRSS Level I Pathway & the SRSS Level II Pathway.
- Foster MJ. Overview of the role of librarians in systematic reviews: From expert search to project manager Journal of European Association of Health Information Librarians (JEAHIL), 2015.
- Koffel JB. Use of recommended search strategies in systematic reviews and the impact of librarian involvement: a cross-sectional survey of recent authors. PLoS One, 2015
- Meert D, Torabi N, Costella J. Impact of librarians on reporting of the literature searching component of pediatric systematic reviews. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 2016.
- Metzendorf,M. Why medical information specialists should routinely form part of teams producing high quality systematic reviews – a Cochrane perspective. Journal of EAHIL, 2016.
- Rethlefsen ML, Farrell AM, Osterhaus Trzasko LC, Brigham TJ. Librarian co-authors correlated with higher quality reported search strategies in general internal medicine systematic reviews. J Clin Epidemiol. 2015.
- Schellinger J, Sewell K, Bloss JE, Ebron T, Forbes C. The effect of librarian involvement on the quality of systematic reviews in dental medicine. PLOS ONE, 2021.
- Scott, Mark C. and Brad Vogus, Academic librarians and systematic reviews: trends and services. Public Services Quarterly, 2022.
- Spencer, Angela J, and Jonathan D Eldredge. Roles for librarians in systematic reviews: a scoping review. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 2018.
Who Should Get an SRSS?
- Medical librarians and Health Information professionals who wish to acquire and expand skills in providing systematic review services.
- Health sciences librarians who hold or are seeking positions as an informationist, education and research librarian, systematic review services librarian, systematic review service coordinator, or a related position.
View Current SRSS Recipients
Tara N. Atkins (SRSS , 2025-08-11 - 2028-08-10)
Emily Adydan (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Maggie Albro (SRSS I, 2026-03-06 - 2029-03-05)
Brianna Andre (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Kayla Ashley (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Thea Atwood (SRSS I, 2023-03-01 - 2029-02-28)
Gary Scott Atwood (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Beth Auten (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Jules Bailey (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Carolyn Baker (SRSS I, 2025-11-11 - 2028-11-10)
Amie Baltes (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Elizabeth Barksdale (SRSS I, 2023-10-31 - 2026-10-30)
Angela Barr (SRSS II, 2024-05-01 - 2028-03-26)
Sarah Gabrielle Bauman (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
John L Bayhi (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Pamela J Beegle (SRSS II, 2024-06-01 - 2028-05-15)
Megan M. Bell (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Judith R. Bergjord (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Becca Billings (SRSS I, 2023-08-01 - 2026-07-31)
Kristina Bing (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
Joanna Russell Bliss (SRSS I, 2025-12-10 - 2028-12-09)
Erin Bloxsidge (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Jannette Bradley (SRSS II, 2022-11-01 - 2028-03-26)
Laura E Briggs (SRSS I, 2023-10-01 - 2026-09-30)
Holly Ann Burt (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Joseph A. Burt (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Corina Bustillos (SRSS I, 2025-08-07 - 2028-08-06)
Kristin Buxton (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Victoria Caine (SRSS I, 2025-08-07 - 2028-08-06)
Beatrice Calvert (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
David Carson (SRSS I, 2025-08-07 - 2028-08-06)
Kathleen Carter (SRSS I, 2025-12-10 - 2028-12-09)
Kristin M Chapman (SRSS I, 2023-03-01 - 2029-02-28)
Cynthia Chelf (SRSS II, 2023-01-01 - 2028-08-26)
Sunny Chung (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
Louise Collins (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Jordan Dias Correia (SRSS I, 2026-03-31 - 2029-03-31)
Elle Covington (SRSS I, 2025-09-15 - 2028-09-14)
Kelsey Cowles (SRSS II, 2023-09-01 - 2028-03-26)
Stephen Cox (SRSS I, 2025-08-06 - 2028-08-05)
Molly Crews (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Carrie A Cullen (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Tom Cummiskey (SRSS I, 2024-06-01 - 2027-05-31)
Jill Daby (SRSS I, 2025-11-06 - 2028-11-05)
Kate Daniels (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Olivia Davis (SRSS I, 2026-01-29 - 2029-01-28)
Megan DeArmond (SRSS I, 2026-01-22 - 2029-01-21)
Pedro-Antonio Del-Valle-López (SRSS I, 2024-02-01 - 2027-01-31)
Maria Deptula (SRSS I, 2025-11-12 - 2028-11-11)
Sandra Yvette Desjardins (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Elizabeth Dilworth (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Katherine Donaldson (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Rebecca Fisher Drouhard (SRSS I, 2025-12-10 - 2028-12-09)
Andrea du Chaussee (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2028-05-15)
Sharon Duffy (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
Ann Dyer (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Amy J. Edwards (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Peggy J. Edwards (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Jill Eisner (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
James Patrick Evans (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Leah Everitt (SRSS I, 2026-01-12 - 2029-01-11)
Rosemary Farrell (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Jennifer Feldman (SRSS II, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Amy Ferguson (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Joana C. Fernandez (SRSS II, 2025-05-16 - 2029-03-12)
Carlos Roberto Fernandez, CFC (SRSS I, 2026-03-27 - 2029-03-26)
Carrie Forbes (SRSS I, 2026-03-13 - 2029-03-12)
Colleen Marie Foy (SRSS II, 2023-11-01 - 2028-03-26)
Valerie Freeman (SRSS I, 2025-12-05 - 2028-12-04)
Andra Fry (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Mary Pat Gage (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Ryn Gagen (SRSS I, 2025-08-15 - 2028-08-14)
CJ Garcia (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2028-05-15)
Sarah Gardner (SRSS I, 2026-02-27 - 2029-02-26)
I. Diane Gelarden Gelarden Cooper (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Dana Gerberi (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Valerie Gibbons (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
James Gilbreath (SRSS I, 2024-06-01 - 2027-05-31)
Kayce Gill (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Shalu Gillum (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Kristen Giordano (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Madelyn Rose Kost Glymour (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Leslie Golamb (SRSS II, 2023-10-01 - 2028-03-26)
Alisa Gonzalez (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Jon Goodell (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Deborah Goss (SRSS II, 2023-12-01 - 2028-08-06)
Terri Gotschall (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Suzanne Gray (SRSS I, 2025-08-07 - 2028-08-06)
Michelle P Green (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Sue Groshong (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Carole Gruhn (SRSS I, 2025-08-07 - 2028-08-06)
Amanda Haberstroh (SRSS II, 2023-07-01 - 2027-05-31)
Annie Hackler (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Dawn Ellen Hackman (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Lindsay Hales (SRSS I, 2025-08-07 - 2028-08-06)
Gwendolyn Halford (SRSS I, 2024-02-01 - 2027-01-31)
Gale G. Hannigan (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Alison Hansen (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Sharon Harmon (SRSS II, 2023-11-01 - 2029-01-20)
Sara Harrington (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Emily C Harris (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Shannon Harris (SRSS I, 2026-02-17 - 2029-02-16)
Andrea Harrow (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Linda M. Hartman (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Mary Katherine Haver (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Thomas W Hayes (SRSS I, 2023-10-01 - 2026-09-30)
Karin Traci Haynie (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Heather Healy (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-05-31)
Stephanie Henderson (SRSS II, 2025-08-11 - 2028-08-10)
Stephanie Henderson (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Karen Heskett (SRSS II, 2024-01-01 - 2029-01-19)
Paula J Hess (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2028-05-15)
Elizabeth H. Holt (SRSS I, 2025-08-12 - 2028-08-11)
Katie Hoskins (SRSS I, 2025-12-05 - 2028-12-04)
Chloe Hough (SRSS I, 2023-10-01 - 2026-09-30)
Ourfa Hovsepyan (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Lydia Howes (SRSS II, 2023-03-01 - 2028-08-24)
Amy Hughes (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Annisija Hunter (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Uta Hussong-Christian (SRSS II, 2024-05-01 - 2028-03-26)
Sarah Hutton (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Shelley Ivary (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Amy James (SRSS I, 2025-09-10 - 2028-09-09)
Teresa E Jewell (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Bridget Jivanelli (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
Melinda Johnson (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2028-07-22)
Dana Kathryn Johnson (SRSS I, 2025-08-19 - 2028-08-18)
Grace Henrichs Johnston (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2028-08-06)
Kathryn Junco (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Katherine Kamel (SRSS I, 2026-01-02 - 2029-01-01)
Amanpreet Kaur (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Susannah Keill (SRSS I, 2025-04-09 - 2028-04-08)
Christiana Keinath (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Melinda Kelley (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Andrea C. Kepsel (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Sam Kirk (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Erika Kirsch (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Hilary Kraus (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2028-03-26)
Kate Krause (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Elizabeth Kreiter (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Kristin Kroger (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Marie-Claude Laferriere (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Heather Laferriere (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Jolain LaMott (SRSS I, 2026-03-12 - 2029-03-11)
Dani LaPreze (SRSS I, 2026-03-05 - 2029-03-04)
Emily Lawson (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2028-05-15)
Jen Lege (SRSS I, 2024-03-01 - 2027-02-28)
Sonya Lemke (SRSS I, 2026-01-14 - 2029-01-13)
Trey Lemley (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Rebecca Leonhard (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Jesse Leraas (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Laura M Lipke (SRSS II, 2023-01-01 - 2028-10-21)
Kimberly Loper (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Sara Loree (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Patricia m Ludwig (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Elizabeth Lyman (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Elaine MacKay (SRSS I, 2023-07-01 - 2026-06-30)
Jaena Manson (SRSS II, 2023-04-01 - 2029-03-31)
Lisa A. Marks (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2029-04-30)
Saily Marrero (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Rowan Marye (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2029-01-19)
Janice Masud-Paul (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Helen Mayo (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Colleen A Mayowski (SRSS I, 2024-05-01 - 2027-04-30)
Traci J. Mays (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Patti McCall-Junkin (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Juli McCarroll (SRSS II, 2022-11-01 - 2027-05-31)
Michele McGinnis (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Nicole Mehall (SRSS I, 2025-11-13 - 2028-11-12)
Judy Meirose (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Emily Metcalf (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Susi Frederick Miller (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Corinne Holden Miller (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Jenny Mills (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Missina Minter (SRSS I, 2024-06-01 - 2027-05-31)
Heather K. Moberly (SRSS II, 2023-12-01 - 2028-10-21)
Stephen Modica (SRSS I, 2026-03-27 - 2029-03-26)
Jenn Monnin (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Rachel Montes (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Nancy Morell (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Rebecca J Morgan (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Kerri Moriarty (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2028-03-26)
Thomasina Muckenfuss (SRSS II, 2025-08-01 - 2028-07-31)
Edward W. Murphy (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Bryn Murphy (SRSS I, 2026-03-06 - 2029-03-05)
Angela N. Murrell (SRSS II, 2023-05-01 - 2028-03-26)
Ryan Murtfeldt (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Soph Myers-Kelley (SRSS II, 2025-05-16 - 2028-08-06)
Cathy Y. Nakashima (SRSS I, 2026-01-08 - 2029-01-06)
Salpy Nalbandian (SRSS I, 2026-03-31 - 2029-03-30)
Samantha Kelly Nation (SRSS II, 2023-12-01 - 2029-02-15)
Emily B Newberry (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Zemirah Ngow (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Lindsey Nichols (SRSS I, 2023-10-01 - 2026-09-30)
David A. Nolfi (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Ruby L Nugent (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Aine O'Connor (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Emma O'Hagan (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
William Olmstadt (SRSS II, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Brooke Olson (SRSS I, 2025-08-13 - 2028-08-12)
Lara Ouellette (SRSS II, 2025-05-16 - 2028-08-06)
Sarah Page (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Aundria Monique Parkman (SRSS II, 2025-03-27 - 2028-05-15)
Julia Peters (SRSS I, 2025-07-17 - 2028-07-16)
Hannah Pollard (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Amanda Pomeroy (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Melissa Previtera (SRSS II, 2025-07-28 - 2028-07-27)
Melissa Previtera (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Jamie Furrh Quinn (SRSS II, 2025-05-15 - 2028-05-14)
Sudha Ramakrishnan (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Beth Reeder (SRSS I, 2024-06-01 - 2027-05-31)
Kearin Reid (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Heidi Reis (SRSS I, 2025-12-05 - 2028-12-04)
Kimberly Ann Reycraft (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2029-02-26)
Zachary Richardson (SRSS I, 2026-01-22 - 2029-01-21)
Jean E. Riedlinger (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Jeffery R. Ring (SRSS I, 2026-01-01 - 2028-12-31)
Cayla Robinson (SRSS II, 2023-06-01 - 2028-09-16)
Lauren Elizabeth Robinson (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Esmeralda Garcia Rodgers (SRSS II, 2024-06-01 - 2028-03-26)
Morgan Rowe-Morris (SRSS II, 2023-03-01 - 2028-02-13)
Joseph Morgan Rowe-Morris (SRSS II, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Margie Ruppel (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Julia Marie Sarpy (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2028-05-15)
Kuniko Sato (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Tamara Sawyer (SRSS II, 2025-03-27 - 2028-08-13)
Satoko Sayama (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Edith Scarletto (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Carly Schanock (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Laurel Scheinfeld (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Julie H. Schiavo (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Jennifer Schram (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Travis Schulz (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Connor Schwartz (SRSS I, 2026-03-11 - 2029-03-10)
Alberto Selvanetti (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Sonja Settle (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Alexandra Short (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Jessica Sigman (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Kate Silfen (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Amy Six-Means (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Barbara N Slover (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Amy R. Slutzky (SRSS I, 2023-10-01 - 2026-09-30)
Chandler D Smith (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
Abigail Smith (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Jennifer Smith (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Sally Smith (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
Genifer Snipes (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Kendra Spahr (SRSS I, 2026-03-13 - 2029-03-12)
Grace Spiewak (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Lynne Graves Stephenson (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Elizabeth Alison Sterner (SRSS II, 2024-05-01 - 2027-04-30)
Elizabeth Sterner (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
David Stewart (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Kaitlynn Stinson (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Rachel Heywood Suppok (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Bronwyn Sutherland (SRSS I, 2025-07-17 - 2028-07-16)
Amber Swartz (SRSS I, 2026-03-06 - 2029-03-05)
Marissa Testerman (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Mary Margaret Thomas (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Marie A. Thompson (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Caitlyn Marie Towne-Anderson (SRSS I, 2024-05-01 - 2027-04-30)
David Trillo (SRSS I, 2023-05-01 - 2026-04-30)
Breck Turner (SRSS II, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Heidi Uhey (SRSS I, 2025-08-11 - 2028-08-10)
John Usseglio (SRSS II, 2023-12-01 - 2028-03-26)
Aylin Valdivia (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Kaitlyn Van Kampen (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Clarissa Vannier (SRSS I, 2023-10-01 - 2026-09-30)
Carla Olivia Vázquez Hernández (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2028-09-08)
Kathryn Vela (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Dina Vrkic (SRSS II, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Jeffery Wagner (SRSS I, 2024-04-01 - 2027-03-31)
Tine Walczyk (SRSS I, 2025-08-07 - 2028-08-06)
Sheryl Walters (SRSS I, 2025-03-27 - 2028-03-26)
Janene Wandersee (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Lynn Warner (SRSS II, 2023-07-01 - 2029-01-19)
Rachel Wedeward (SRSS I, 2023-11-01 - 2026-10-31)
Lauren Amber Wheeler (SRSS I, 2023-09-01 - 2026-08-31)
Marijane White (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
Jill D Whitfill (SRSS I, 2025-09-09 - 2028-09-08)
Logan Whittington (SRSS I, 2025-11-18 - 2028-11-17)
Christine Willis (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Lin Wu (SRSS I, 2023-12-01 - 2026-11-30)
Shannon Marisol Yarbrough (SRSS I, 2026-03-04 - 2029-03-03)
Megan York (SRSS I, 2023-06-01 - 2026-05-31)
Alyssa Hélène Valcourt Young (SRSS I, 2025-05-16 - 2028-05-15)
Emily Yuan (SRSS I, 2025-11-12 - 2028-11-11)
Annie Zeidman-Karpinski (SRSS I, 2024-01-01 - 2026-12-31)
What Skills Does the SRSS Address?
The SRSS is built upon the Systematic Review Services Competency:
Health and biomedical information professionals with competency in Systematic Reviews use a range of information retrieval and management knowledge and skills to support users and researchers. They promote the use of established guidelines, best practices, ethical synthesis practices, and transparent reporting in the service of high quality, reproducible scientific and biomedical research.
The Systematic Review Competency has two levels, Level I and Level II. Each level has skill indicators organized by topic.
Your Level I SRSS certificate will give you a solid grounding in the fundamentals of systematic reviews and prepare you to assist clinicians and researchers in conducting health sciences-related systematic reviews. With this accomplishment, you will not only have systematic review skills, you will be able to offer systematic review services with increased confidence and ease, expanding your career and job possibilities.
SRSS codes next to each skill area open to electives serving the area.
Fundamentals of Systematic Reviews
- Explain the major steps in the design and conduct of a systematic review (SRSS-S1)
- Explain how systematic reviews differ from narrative reviews (SRSS-S2)
- Explain how systematic reviews inform practice, policy, and research (SRSS-S3)
- Explain the value of established systematic review guidelines and standards (SRSS-S4)
Communication
- Negotiate involvement in systematic review projects (SRSS-S5)
- Negotiate recognition of librarian’s intellectual contribution to a systematic review (SRSS-S6)
- Collaborate with researchers to implement effective search strategies (SRSS-S7)
Searching
- Conduct searches to confirm the need for a systematic review (SRSS-S8)
- Select databases and other resources appropriate to a research question (SRSS-S9)
- Develop an extensive, effective, systematic, and replicable search strategy for each resource appropriate to a research question (SRSS-S10)
- Review search strategies under development using the PRESS (Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies) rubric (SRSS-S11)
Documentation and Reporting
- Describe planned search methods (SRSS-S12)
- Document search processes, including search iterations and decision-making (SRSS-S13)
- Report search methods for publication in conformance with established reporting standards (SRSS_S14)
Data Management I
Your Level II SRSS certificate will enable you to serve as an expert resource for systematic review research teams on a wide range of systematic review tasks. You’ll also be able to develop or enhance the systematic review service at your library, serve as a peer reviewer for systematic review articles, and critically appraise published systematic reviews. Earning your Level II certificate will boost your skills and expertise and enhance your value as a partner in evidence synthesis research.
SRSS codes next to each skill area open to electives serving the area.
Project Planning
- Match a research question to an appropriate evidence synthesis type (SRSS-S17)
- Advise systematic review teams on timelines, team composition, and productivity tools (SRSS-S18)
- Collaborate with systematic review teams on developing systematic review protocols (SRSS-S19)
Quality and Reproducibility
- Advise teams on selection and use of data extraction tools (SRSS-S20)
- Advise teams on selection and use of risk of bias tools (SRSS-S21)
- Prepare search-related data for deposit or archiving (SRSS-S22)
Searching
- Identify and use search filters (SRSS-S23)
Peer Review and Appraisal
- Peer review manuscripts for publication (SRSS-S24)
- Appraise the quality of published systematic reviews (SRSS-S25)
Service Management
- Implement best practices for establishing, managing, and evaluating systematic review services (SRSS-S26)
What Are the Requirements for Earning an SRSS?
Requirements for Either SRSS Level
- You must earn a Level I certificate before you can earn your Level II certificate.
- You have three years to meet the requirements for a Level I certificate, i.e., courses submitted for the specialization must have been taken no more than three years prior to your date of application.
- Your SRSS is valid for three years.
- To keep your SRSS valid, you must take six credits of electives during the three years your SRSS is valid in order to renew your certificate.
- Complete 8 required core courses (Essential Searching Skills for Librarians on Systematic Review Teams is in the MEDLIB-ED catalog when it is open for registration)
- Complete 6 credits of elective courses in any areas you choose. See SRSS Level I above for electives associated with each skill area.
You can earn your Level I SRSS with on-demand offerings, with one exception: Essential Searching Skills for Librarians on Systematic Review Teams is only offered face-to-face or as an instructor-led virtual course because of the need for instructor feedback on search strategies.
We recommend taking required core courses in 3 phases that move from basic to more sophisticated skills, and then taking electives of interest.
Phase 1
- Planning for Systematic Review Success: Reference Interview & Protocol Development
- Systematic Reviews for Beginners: How Librarian Participation Creates Better Evidence
- What’s Needed to Make a Literature Search Reproducible? An Introduction to PRISMA-S
Phase 2
- Librarians and Systematic Review Teams: Negotiating Roles and Recognition
- Essential Searching Skills for Librarians on Systematic Review Teams (in MEDLIB-ED when open for registration)
- Systematic Searching: Improving Effectiveness and Efficiency
Phase 3
- Complete 11 required core courses
- Complete 6 credits of elective courses in any areas you choose. See SRSS Level II above for electives associated with each skill area.
Credit for Activities Not Pre-Approved for SRSS
If you complete an educational activity, a Discussion Group activity, Independent Reading Program activity, webinar, or other activity not on the list of MLA-approved SRSS courses and would like to have it considered for meeting an SRSS requirement, please fill out an Individual Participant Request (IPR) form. We recommend you submit the IPR in advance of your application so you can take replacement coursework if the course is found ineligible.
Applying for Your SRSS
- Take the required number of MLA-approved courses for the level for which you are applying.
- Check your transcript to ensure you have met all the skills for your application level.
- You will only need certificates of completion if courses do not appear as completed in your transcript (i.e., were not taken through MEDLIB-ED)
- If you have received a certification of completion or other evidence of course completion from an approved SRSS course that is NOT listed in MEDLIB-ED, submit a certificate of course completion with your application.
- Payment must accompany your application for it to be considered.
- If you have purchased the SRSS pathway, please reach out to MLA Education to obtain the application link after completing the courses.
If you have questions: Please contact MLA’s Professional Development Department before completing your SRSS application or taking a course.
What Is the Price for the SRSS?
MLA charges a modest fee (members: $99; nonmembers: $132) for reviewing applications and granting certificates. The cost of courses that satisfy the requirements for the certificates is determined by course owners. NNLM generously sponsors the SRSS application fee for library staff and students who reside within any region of the NNLM. Use this Google form to apply to have NNLM cover your application fee.
Courses offered by the Network of the National Library of Medicine are available at no charge.
MLA will process your application and, on approval, send you a certificate recognizing your accomplishment.
Meet the Creators of the Systematic Review Services Specialization
A team of experts on systematic reviews and review services created the Systematic Review Services Specialization competency and identified the courses that serve the Level I certificate.
- Terry Jankowski, AHIP, FMLA (Chair), Librarian Emeritus
- Emily Ginier, Informationist, University of Michigan, Taubman Health Sciences Library
- Margaret Foster, AHIP, Director, Center for Systematic Reviews and Research Syntheses, Texas A&M University, Medical Sciences Library
- Mary Lou Klem, Assistant Director of Advanced Information Support, University of Pittsburgh, Health Sciences Library System
- Mellanye Lackey, AHIP, Director (retired), University of Nevada Las Vegas Health Sciences Library
- Whitney Townsend, Informationist, Taubman Health Sciences Library, University of Michigan
The SRSS was inspired by the article, A competency framework for librarians involved in systematic reviews. Two of the co-authors are on the team that created the SRSS.
In 2022, we added members of the Systematic Reviews caucus to the team to ensure that the Specialization remains strong and current.
Instructors: Get Your Course Approved for SRSS
Only courses that serve the Systematic Review Services competency can be approved for SRSS. To have your course considered, select the appropriate specialization when you submit a course for MLA CE approval. Contact the MLA Professional Development department for more information. Application coming soon!