Ecologies, outreach, and the evolution of medical libraries.

QUESTION

What are some of the forces shaping the evolution of medical libraries, and where might they lead?

DATA SOURCES

Published literature in the fields of library and information sciences, technology, health services research, and business was consulted.

MAIN RESULTS

Medical libraries currently have a modest footprint in most consumers' personal health ecologies, the network of resources and activities they use to improve their health. They also occupy a relatively small space in the health care, information, and business ecologies of which they are a part. Several trends in knowledge discovery, technology, and social organizations point to ways in which the roles of medical libraries might grow and become more complex.

CONCLUSION

As medical libraries evolve and reach out to previously underserved communities, an ecological approach can serve as a useful organizing framework for the forces shaping this evolution.