Sustainability of Branch Libraries: Successfully Converting an Architecture Branch into a Professional Library

摘要

The architecture branch library at the School of Architecture, Planning, and Preservation (the School) at the University of Maryland was scheduled to dose in the summer of 2014, due to state-mandated, permanent budget cuts. The dean of libraries granted the faculty, students, and alumni of the School a semester to come up with some solutions that could keep the books in the building, and help with the budget issues. The resulting recommendation, to convert the library to a professional model library, with limited hours and limited staff, but 24/7 access to the School community, was initiated over the summer of 2015. The various changes to the library spaces, policies, and culture are explained with observations on their success. In September of 2015, the architecture branch library at the University of Maryland opened its door as a professional library to serve the community of the School.