Transforming an Academic Medical Center Library into a Digital Library and Learning Center. Kelly R Gonzalez, MSIS, MBA, AHIP. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.
Purpose: This paper will explore the removal of a 265,000 volume collection to the University of Texas/Texas A&M Joint Library Facility to create the core medical library collection for UT and A&M affiliated universities while maintaining and building an extensive electronic resource collection and reallocating physical spaces for student learning activities.
Setting/Participants/Resources: Health Sciences Digital Library and Learning Center of UT Southwestern Medical Center (UTSW), formed a partnership with the University of Texas/Texas A&M Joint Library Facility (JLF) as well as with the Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Development for UT Southwestern Medical School.
Brief Description: This project was partially funded through the University of Texas System Reserve Allocation for Library, Equipment, Repair and Rehabilitation (LERR) in fiscal year 2014. This funding allowed for options to be considered for the removal of the Library’s print collection. This paper describes the planning process, challenges encountered, and collaboration and partnerships formed to transform the Library into a digital library and learning center.
Results/Outcome: The partnerships that formed between the UTSW Health Sciences Digital Library and Learning Center, JLF, and UTSW Medical School improved access to both print and electronic resources as well as providing dedicated learning spaces for UTSW.
