Special libraries come in all forms and all sizes. They include government libraries, museums, newspapers, corporations, trade associations, professional associations, law firms, consulting firms, and the specialized libraries in universities and public libraries. The libraries themselves may employ one person or hundreds. The solo librarians division of SLA has more than 800 members.
Many special libraries have no paper collections other than a few reference books.
They rely on online services. Michel Bauwens, the librarian for BP Nutrition and the European Special Librarian of the Year, is one person with one computer and one modem. Michel serves many people and creates and innovates with one person, one computer and one modem. The founders of SLA viewed themselves as people who went beyond bibliography. The roots of SLA are focused on results.