The Ethereal Library: Thinking Creatively When You Have No Space to Think

Today’s library operates in two distinct spaces. First, there is the physical space, where we provide our community a place to work, where we provide access to print materials, and where we can provide a place to provide service. Second, there is the ethereal space, where we connect with users, provide outreach, and where our value is revealed. And in the best case scenario, a library has these two spaces to operate from. However, over the past few years, many academic libraries have seen their footprint errode. This is especially true from the vantage point of the academic departmental library which has been seeing its footprint erode. Starting in 2014, the Kresge Business Administration Library at the Ross School of Business will cease being a full‐service library as has been traditionally the case. Instead, our footprints will be reduced to little more than is needed to house the librarians and staff. Using these challenges, as well as those being faced by other academic departmental libraries, the presenter will share accounts of how the reduction and elimination of library space did not also lead to the elimination of core library services coming from that group. Among the topics to be discussed are expanded reference, embedded librarian programs, and the adoption of new services that were possible and desired by the school. The presenter will showcase how you can move from a physical library to an ethereal one, while retaining services, people and your connection to the school