PURPOSE: Faced with resource constraints, many hospital libraries have considered joint operations. This case study describes how Providence Health & Services created a single group to provide library services. METHODS: Using a holding group model, staff worked to unify more than 6,100 nonlibrary subscriptions and 14 internal library sites. RESULTS: Our library services grew by unifying 2,138 nonlibrary subscriptions and 11 library sites and hiring more library staff. We expanded access to 26,018 more patrons. CONCLUSIONS: A model with built-in flexibility allowed successful library expansion. Although challenges remain, this success points to a viable model of unified operations.
PURPOSE: Faced with resource constraints, many hospital libraries have considered joint operations. This case study describes how Providence Health & Services created a single group to provide library services. METHODS: Using a holding group model, staff worked to unify more than 6,100 nonlibrary subscriptions and 14 internal library sites. RESULTS: Our library services grew by unifying 2,138 nonlibrary subscriptions and 11 library sites and hiring more library staff. We expanded access to 26,018 more patrons. CONCLUSIONS: A model with built-in flexibility allowed successful library expansion. Although challenges remain, this success points to a viable model of unified operations.
Keywords:
Information Storage and Retrieval/Statistics & Numerical Data*; Libraries, Hospital/Organization & Administration*; Libraries, Medical/Organization & Administration*; Library Collection Development; Library Materials/Organization & Administration*; Medical Subject Headings: Efficiency, Organizational*; Organizational Innovation; Program Evaluation; Regional Medical Programs
Authors: Nancy J Allee; Jane Blumenthal; Karen Jordan; Nadia Lalla; Deborah Lauseng; Gurpreet Rana; Kate Saylor; Jean Song Journal: Med Ref Serv Q Date: 2014
Authors: Andrea Harrow; Lisa A Marks; Debra Schneider; Alexander Lyubechansky; Ellen Aaronson; Lynn Kysh; Molly Harrington Journal: J Med Libr Assoc Date: 2019-04-01