The only constant is change
The first-person perspective in this post is from our Circulation Manager, Jan Gunderson.
I decided to work in a library in the fifth grade. And in some way, I have either volunteered or been employed in a library ever since….and of all the changes in the world I think the changes to libraries has been the biggest. Alvin Toffler, in his book Future Shock, says “The book itself, like much of the information it holds, has become more transient.” – page 161. Considering that this was written in the 1970s this quote seems to be a perfect way to start this post about our changing medical library.
When I started in this library it was all about the books, all about the journals, all about the space, the things you could see, smell, touch. In 2025 this library is all about knowledge in many shapes and forms. I am so proud, as I sit at the desk and watch the new students being toured by the library, when the students are told that we are a global space, not just existing in this hallway, but existing where they can access it from their homes, their jobs, even their vacations. Wherever the students and faculty are, the library is.
Library Services
Library promotional materials point out that we have librarians at every campus, offering flexible hours and the ability to meet online. Our librarians offer support in research and publishing in addition to help with assignments. We have video and text research guides on our website.
Through our library we have access to a quarter of a million electronic books, 100,000 research journals, each spanning many issues, and each holding many articles. Students and faculty can access anatomy visualization and differential diagnosis tools.
Our library provides publishing through the Scholarly Commons. We subscribe to access tools and offer them to our students, faculty and staff.
Welcome, all!
Toffler died 9 years ago…I am sad when I think of all the new innovations in books and knowledge and access that he has missed out on. BUT, I love that none of the new students, faculty, and staff are not missing a thing when it comes to our library! Welcome. Welcome back. Welcome of the library in 2025.
