Hospital library closures and consolidations: a case series

Authors

  • Andrea Harrow Manager, Hospital Library, Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA
  • Lisa A. Marks Director of Libraries, Mayo Clinic Library, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Debra Schneider Supervisor, Libraries and Continuing Medical Education, HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, HonorHealth System, Scottsdale, AZ
  • Alexander Lyubechansky Assistant Professor, Clinical Librarian, Savitt Medical Library, University of Nevada, Reno, NV
  • Ellen Aaronson Librarian, Mayo Clinic Libraries, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN
  • Lynn Kysh Clinical & Research Librarian, Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
  • Molly Harrington Manager, Health Sciences Library, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/jmla.2019.520

Keywords:

Libraries, Medical, Hospital, Librarians, Hospitals, Teaching, Health

Abstract

Background: Health sciences libraries are being closed or are under threat of closure, but little is published that looks at context and causes or alternative library service delivery models such as affiliations or consolidations. There is also very little research about the effect of these changes on health care provider satisfaction, patient care, or hospital quality indicators. Preventing library closures is not always possible, but understanding some of the circumstances leading to the decision and implementation of a closure or consolidation could inform best practice management.

Case Presentations: At a recent Medical Library Association joint chapter meeting, a panel of six librarians presented their cases of navigating a library closure or reorganization. Background information was given to highlight reasons that the decisions to reorganize or close were made. Following the case presentations, participants took part in discussion with audience members. Cases and discussion points were recorded for further research, publication, and advocacy.

Conclusions: Several points from the cases are highlighted in the discussion section of the paper. An accurate reporting of US health sciences libraries and librarian staffing is needed. More needs to be written about new library service models and best practices for centralizing and maintaining library services. After a consolidation, remaining librarians will be expected to manage the effects of staff loss and site closures and so should be involved in planning and implementing these decisions. It remains to be determined how hospitals with librarians compare in patient care and other quality indicators against hospitals without librarians.

Author Biographies

Andrea Harrow, Manager, Hospital Library, Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles, CA

Manager, Hospital Library

Lisa A. Marks, Director of Libraries, Mayo Clinic Library, Mayo Clinic Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ

Director of Libraries

Debra Schneider, Supervisor, Libraries and Continuing Medical Education, HonorHealth Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, HonorHealth System, Scottsdale, AZ

Supervisor, Libraries and CME

Alexander Lyubechansky, Assistant Professor, Clinical Librarian, Savitt Medical Library, University of Nevada, Reno, NV

Assistant Professor, Clinical Librarian

Ellen Aaronson, Librarian, Mayo Clinic Libraries, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

Librarian

Lynn Kysh, Clinical & Research Librarian, Norris Medical Library, University of Southern California and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA

Clinical & Research Librarian

Molly Harrington, Manager, Health Sciences Library, Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital & Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ

Manager, Health Sciences Library

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Published

2019-04-15

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Special Paper