Poster: Challenges of a Distributed Learning Library System

Objectives: Health sciences librarians face increasing complexity when serving innovative health science programs with multiple campuses and distributed community-based and academic partners. This paper examines the challenges faced by these librarians as they work to coordinate services and meet user needs. Methods: Librarians based on multiple campuses took a self-directed approach to better understand the needs of evolving distributed health science programs at their institution, using methods based on organizational information theory and team sensemaking. During six in-person and virtual meetings over three months, the librarians engaged in comparative discourse, examining the unique aspects of their library settings, collection practices and the specific health sciences program populations they serve. The librarians identified where systems are consistent, where workflows have been adjusted to meet local needs, and where further studies are needed. Results: Analysis of discussions identified seven challenge areas: 1) reference services, 2) instruction, 3) management, 4) communication, 5) collections, 6) community outreach, and 7) library systems. Using these challenge areas, the librarians identified seven potential strategies to provide a more helpful and seamless experience for library users: 1) customize reference services, 2) engage in intentional communication, 3) focus limited budgets on resources that support multiple groups, 4) understand how library materials are currently being used, 5) understand how library materials will be used in the future, 6) work with library systems, and 7) network with librarians both on and off campus. Conclusions: As a result of this comparative exploration of library services in a distributed learning library system, the health science librarians learned that differing technology systems, collection philosophies, service policies, outreach needs, and budgets contribute to the complexity of coordinating services. The librarians will continue to take a team-based approach to addressing issues and implementing new programs and services, with emphasis on research, scholarship, and evidence-based solutions to address the libraries’ growing needs. Keywords: Distributed learning, academic partnerships, organizational study, multi-campus institution, team-based librarianshi