Strategies for Library Mergers & Centralizing Library Services

Abstract: More hospitals are merging or looking for ways to cut costs. Libraries need know how to respond as a result and/or look for way to centralize services. Format: This session will have brief presentations followed by panel discussion and interactive question and answer Sponsors: Hospital Library Section, NAHRS Objectives: This session will provide success stories and lessons learned from librarians who have gone through library centralization or library integration following hospital mergers. Presentations will cover needs assessment/SWOT analysis, licensing, budgeting, technical challenges, staff, solo perspective, and other considerations. Audience: Hospital librarians looking to centralize services or who have recently merged or will be impacted by a merger in the future. Learning Objectives: 1) Discuss the benefits of a needs assessment/SWOT analysis when merging 2) List some of the considerations involved in unifying services 3) Study the licensing and budgeting issues faced by merging 4) Recognize technical issues involved in a merger 5) Describe staffing challenges 6) Discuss challenges faced by solos Instructional Methods: presentations, slides, question/answer, and panel discussion Participant Engagement: Presenters will actively solicit questions from audience for immediate answer and provide template materials that can be customized for their institution