Health sciences libraries building survey, 1999-2009.
OBJECTIVE
A survey was conducted of health sciences libraries to obtain information about newer buildings, additions, remodeling, and renovations.


METHODS
An online survey was developed, and announcements of survey availability posted to three major email discussion lists: Medical Library Association (MLA), Association of Academic Health Sciences Libraries (AAHSL), and MEDLIB-L. Previous discussions of library building projects on email discussion lists, a literature review, personal communications, and the author's consulting experiences identified additional projects.


RESULTS
Seventy-eight health sciences library building projects at seventy-three institutions are reported. Twenty-two are newer facilities built within the last ten years; two are space expansions; forty-five are renovation projects; and nine are combinations of new and renovated space. Six institutions report multiple or ongoing renovation projects during the last ten years.


CONCLUSIONS
The survey results confirm a continuing migration from print-based to digitally based collections and reveal trends in library space design. Some health sciences libraries report loss of space as they move toward creating space for "community" building. Libraries are becoming more proactive in using or retooling space for concentration, collaboration, contemplation, communication, and socialization. All are moving toward a clearer operational vision of the library as the institution's information nexus and not merely as a physical location with print collections.
Ludwig
Logan
L
Journal of the Medical Library Association , and Associate Dean, Library and Telehealth Services, Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 South First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USA. lludwig@lumc.edu
D003625:Data Collection; D005160:Facility Design and Construction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D046609:Libraries, Digital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007993:Libraries, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007996:Library Associations; D009864:Ontario; D012383:Romania; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000458:organization & administration; D014481:United States