Yesterday I had a doctor's appointment at the community hospital where I
used to be the library director ten years ago.  The library served a
nursing college and the hospital with two residency programs.  In the ten
years since I left, the hospital changed hands twice and is now owned by a
for-profit entity while the nursing college was absorbed by another
faith-based hospital organization.
Being a bit early for my appointment, I stopped by the library.  The young
woman at the front desk was occupied with a student, so I wandered around
for a few minutes.  Aside from a lot of outsized new furniture and new
computers, it looked pretty much the same.  As I had transitioned heavily
into e-resources during my tenure, I was a little surprised to see the new
journal display shelves very full... till I saw that the most recent issues
on the stands were from 2008 and 2009.  Stacks of literally yellowed copies
of the main local newspaper from 2010 stuck on bottom shelves.  The book
stacks were still largely filled with the editions of texts that I
purchased and cataloged.  Old back runs of print journals that were
regularly weeded in my day were crammed on the limited shelf space.  The
office was a shambles: more gigantic new furniture, every available surface
piled with papers, journals, books, stuff.   I then was able to chat for a
few minutes with a bright, affable student worker, who identified himself
as "one of the librarians."  There is no professional librarian.  An
administrator with the nursing college oversees the library which is now
staffed just by student workers.  And next year, the nursing college will
be pulling out of this hospital and relocating to another hospital
elsewhere in the city.  "Will the library go too?" I asked.  Well, maybe
some of it.  "What about the hospital and the residents?" I asked.  A shrug
- whatever the hospital administration decides to put in, I guess, was the
answer.  This library has gone into a death spiral: usage drops, resources
aren't renewed or updated, resources become obsolete, usage drops further,
the professional librarian gives up or is deemed superfluous.  The model
now is apparently to subscribe to some electronic resources and tell users:
here you go, have fun.  The end.

I then went on to my appointment with my doctor, who also happens to be the
director of the internal medicine residency program.  I asked him what the
heck the deal was.  He said he had gone immediately to the council who
accredits residency programs to find out about library requirements.  You
know what the answer is, right?  There aren't any now.  Just that print and
e-resources must be available.  Period.  He said the library really hadn't
been actively involved with the residency programs in years.  I used to
help teach courses, attended grand rounds and cancer conferences, presented
to medical staff, residents, nursing students... all of that had died
away.  They are in negotiations with another hospital in the area in the
same for-profit chain for their library to provide services "in case
someone needs something."  At least there IS a library somewhere in the
system.

I am heartsick.  I and my cherished assistant took such pride in that
place.  We were organized, we were active, we were involved.  I monitored
usage of everything to be able to purchase and offer resources staff and
students needed and used.  I bought e-journals, not armchairs.  We provided
expert service.  We coached, we taught, we hunted, we provided, we served.
And none of that is wanted any more.  I guess I just had my nose rubbed in
the reality of "it's all on the internet, I can just google what I need" in
a very personal way.  I made really great buggy whips, I guess.  Everyone
thinks they're a great driver, no one thinks they need advice on how to
search google, for heaven's sake - you just type in a couple words and
voila, there it all is.  Right or wrong, that has become the reality.

I  think we are indeed doomed.

-- 
Julie Stielstra, MLS
Manager, Knowledge Resource Library
Central DuPage Hospital
25 N Winfield Rd
Winfield, IL 60190
phone 630-933-4536
fax     630-933-4530
email jstielstra [ at ]  gmail.com

"Never...be mean in anything; never be false; never be cruel. Avoid those
three vices...and I can always be hopeful of you."  -- Betsy Trotwood to
David Copperfield (Charles Dickens)