Ascension Library Services Successes

Image from here.

In 2019, the 20+ librarians employed at Ascension hospitals across the country were unified as a single national department: Ascension Library Services. Previously we were part of Clinical Professional Development, and prior to that we operated separately as departments of our local ministries.

Our reorganization as Ascension Library Services opened up many possibilities which we have pursued. Under the leadership of Michelle Heavens, Vice President of Clinical Integration, we accomplished the following:

● Standardized policies and processes across the libraries

● Leveraged our purchasing power and worked with The Resource Group to lower costs for online resources

● Rolled out the TDNet platform, for a common look and functionality for our web sites

● Developed an online request form for library services. The form makes it easy to place

requests, provides data on use of our services, and helps us cover for one another

● Implemented OpenAthens, streamlining remote access to resources

● Moved our book catalogs to a shared system, LibraryWorld

● Reached out to offer services to Ascension associates without a physical library. This

process is ongoing

● Held regular team meetings to build community, share best practices and learn from

each other

These achievements are all the more remarkable because we have never gathered in person as a team. We’re connected by technology and by our commitment to service.