Providing Health Sciences Services in a Joint-Use Distributed Learning Library System: An Organizational Case Study

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this organizational case study is to describe the complexities librarians face when serving a multi-campus institution that supports both a joint-use library and expanding health sciences academic partnerships. In a system without a centralized health science library administration, liaison librarians are identifying dispersed programs and user groups and collaborating to define their unique service and outreach needs within a larger land-grant university. Using a team-based approach, health sciences librarians are communicating to integrate research and teaching support, systems differences across dispersed campuses, and future needs of a new community-based medical program.

KEYWORDS:

• Communication
• community-based medical education
• distributed learning
• health sciences academic partnerships
• joint-use library
• medical education trends
• multi-campus institution
• team-based librarianship

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Electra Enslow

Electra Enslow, MLS ([email protected]) is Head of Library Research and Instruction, Washington State University, P.O. Box 1495, Spokane, WA 99210.

Suzanne Fricke

Suzanne Fricke, DVM, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Animal Health Sciences Librarian, Washington State University, P.O. Box 646512, Pullman, WA 99164.

Kathryn Vela

Kathryn Vela, MLIS, AHIP ([email protected]) is Health Sciences Outreach Librarian, Washington State University, P.O. Box 1495, Spokane, WA 99210.