Building the Library of the Future- Part 6

Welcome to the sixth (and final) installment of the series, " Building the Library of the Future",  from Library Director Gretchen Arnold. This series provides information about the Library's work, with each installment focusing on a different aspect of that work. The last installment described how the Library supports patient care; this week's installment focuses on the Library's space improvements, and metrics. Please find previous installments by clicking on each part: Part 1 here, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4.

In addition to the Situation Room, the Library is always rethinking its space to maximize its use, and to adapt to changing needs.  Over the summer of 2017, a large area on the lower level of the Library was redeveloped into the Multipurpose Innovative Learning Lab (MILL).  As its name implies, it was designed as flexible learning space that can be used for group study and for some of the Library’s new projects and services.  Located in the MILL are the Presentation Studio, the Virtual Reality Sandbox, and the Maker Space (which is a Library and Biomedical Engineering collaboration).  Moveable tables and chairs are popular with students and can be used for workshops as needed.  Weekly yoga and meditation are offered in the area as well. 

Another space that underwent a transformation was a small unused office in the Cabell Room.  After becoming aware that there were very few private areas for breastfeeding staff and students, the Library worked with a medical center representative to create a lactation space.  In its first year of availability, it was used 240 times. 

Metrics

A few interesting facts about the Health Sciences Library:

7447       Number of electronic journals paid for by the Library

6699       Number of electronic books licensed by the Library

4789       Number of reference questions answered FY 2016/17

3484       Number of metadata records created FY 2016/17

For an indepth look at the Library’s activities, please look at the new dashboard developed by the Library:  http://guides.hsl.virginia.edu/c.php?g=696813&p=4942971 

In Conclusion

I say this frequently because it is true: it is an exciting time to work in libraries because the opportunities are endless.  It does require taking a broad view of what libraries do, and understanding that our work will always be about knowledge.  That being said, how we do things will continue to change, and I believe that it will all be for the better – for our users and our staff.  What will remain is our strong service ethic, our curiosity, our understanding about information resources, and our commitment to the mission of the Health System.