Library as place: results of a delphi study.
OBJECTIVE
An expert consensus on the future of the library as place was developed to assist health sciences librarians in designing new library spaces.


METHODS
An expert panel of health sciences librarians, building consultants, architects, and information technologists was asked to reflect on the likelihood, desirability, timing, and impact on building design of more than seventy possible changes in the use of library space.


RESULTS
An expert consensus predicted that the roles librarians play and the way libraries are used will substantially change. These changes come in response to changes in technology, scholarly communication, learning environments, and the health care economy.


CONCLUSIONS
How health sciences library space is used will be far less consistent by 2015, as space becomes more tailored to institutional needs. However, the manner in which health sciences libraries develop and deliver services and collections will drastically change in the next decade. Libraries will continue to exist and will provide support for knowledge management and clinical trials, provide access to digital materials, and play a host of other roles that will enable libraries to emerge as institutional change agents.
Ludwig
Logan
L
Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, Illinois 60153, USA. lludwig@lumc.edu
Starr
Susan
S
D003697:Delphi Technique; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D005104:Expert Testimony; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000639:trends*; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000639:trends*; D016243:Library Collection Development / Q000639:trends*; D007999:Library Services / Q000639:trends*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D014481:United States