The Physical Sciences Library Access Services Supervisor usually spends Fridays at the Engineering Library, and one of the Engineering Library Access Services Supervisors spends Sunday night at the Physical Sciences Library. The cross-training makes them more aware of the differences and similarities between the two libraries and how they are used. They observe that the two libraries have many patrons in common, and some of the patrons are interested in why the staff are at two libraries. User and staff fears have for the most part been eased, and staff in the three libraries have had time to get to know each other. An incremental approach to change seems to make people feel more comfortable but takes time to implement.
Gradual change is accompanied by the possibility of losing sight of long-term goals.
On a practical level, helping each other by providing staff support has been very successful. Shared new projects like document delivery and electronic reserve services are challenging to introduce, in part because there is the perception of an increased workload. The critical mass of the combined libraries, however, provides a greater possibility of innovative services than might have come out of any individual unit. References Anderson, N. D., Dilcher, K., and. Departmental Libraries Buildings and Facilities for the Mathematical Sciences.