A health sciences libraries consortium in a rural setting.

The coming of the East Tennessee State University College of Medicine and its effect on the health sciences institutions and practitioners in upper east Tennessee (southern Appalachia) required increased and improved information resources and arrangements for delivery and for use. The Tri-Cities Health Sciences Libraries Consortium was organized to facilitate collection development and to improve services and staff qualifications. The progress of the consortium during the initial two and one-half years of its existence is delineated. Data reflecting the dramatic growth in collection development and staff are given.