Creating a library holding group: an approach to large system integration.

Publication Title

Journal of the Medical Library Association : JMLA

Authors

Isaac R Huffman
Heather J Martin, Providence Health & ServicesFollow
Barbara (Basia) Delawska-Elliott, Providence Health & ServicesFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2016

Keywords

Efficiency, Organizational; Humans; Libraries, Hospital; Library Services; Models, Organizational; Montana; Oregon; Periodicals as Topic; Systems Integration; Washington

Abstract

PURPOSE: Faced with resource constraints, many hospital libraries have considered joint operations. This case study describes how Providence Health & Services created a single group to provide library services.

METHODS: Using a holding group model, staff worked to unify more than 6,100 nonlibrary subscriptions and 14 internal library sites.

RESULTS: Our library services grew by unifying 2,138 nonlibrary subscriptions and 11 library sites and hiring more library staff. We expanded access to 26,018 more patrons.

CONCLUSIONS: A model with built-in flexibility allowed successful library expansion. Although challenges remain, this success points to a viable model of unified operations.

Specialty

Library Science

Recommended Citation

Huffman, Isaac R; Martin, Heather J; and Delawska-Elliott, Barbara (Basia), "Creating a library holding group: an approach to large system integration." (2016). Articles, Abstracts, and Reports. 198.
https://digitalcommons.providence.org/publications/198