Academic Health Sciences Center Library Bridges Gap to Non-Medical Life Long Learning Resources Through a Symbiotic Relationship with a Public Library System

ABSTRACT

The authors describe how multiple factors (declining circulation statistics, awareness of other collaborations and desire to bring services to an Academic Health Sciences Center Library (AHSCL) users not served by the biomedical collection, lead to exploring an innovative idea with the public library (PL). The project’s logistical considerations included legal (ILS licensing, contracts, patron confidentiality), financial (equipment, transportation costs), technology (circulation systems, stand-alone equipment), security (access to proprietary systems, patron records) and plans for training. The service has grown steadily since beginning in 2014 and in the last year has seen a 68% increase.

KEYWORDS:

• Academic Health Sciences Libraries
• teaching hospitals
• public libraries
• partnerships
• new library services

Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the following individuals for their leadership on this project and/or assistance with the manuscript: Jan Hart, EdD (now Director of UAMS Library Operations); Bobby Roberts, PhD (retired); Mary Ryan, MLIS, MPH (retired); Joanna Delavan, MSIS; Jennifer Chilcoat, MSLS; Carol Coffee, MLIS; Dawn Perry; Madelyn Ganos; and Scott Kirkhuff.