Special libraries and information centers are information organizations sponsored by private companies, government agencies, or professional associations that emphasize practical research to support their parent organization. They have a narrow focus and smaller user base than academic or public libraries. While the first modern special library was founded in 1777 at West Point, the Special Libraries Association was established in 1909. Now there are estimated to be 14,000-21,000 special libraries worldwide. They face challenges with limited resources, proving their value, and keeping up with changing technology and copyright laws.

1. Special
Libraries and
Information
Centers
By Madelyne Wimberley
LIBR 200-14: Information and Society
Professor xxxxxxx
March 19, 2011

2. What are special libraries and
information centers?

3. What are special libraries and
information centers?
 “Special libraries are information organizations
sponsered by private companies, government
agencies, not-for-profit organizations, or professional
associations.”
 “Information centers are special libraries with a very
narrow scope.”

4. What makes special
libraries different?
 They emphasis the use of information for practical
purposes related to the organization they are affiliated
with.
 Generally, the librarian does the research for a client
rather than assisting the client with the research.
 The number or users is much smaller than that of
academic or public libraries.
 The library is oriented to the goals of organization to
which it belongs, and their mission is directly related to
that organization.

5. History
 Ellis Mount believes the first modern special library
to be the Military Academy at West Point, founded in
1777.
 1909—The Special Libraries Association is founded
 In 1909, there were approximately a hundred special
ibraries. By the 1960s, the number rose to over
10,000.
 It is estimated that there are 14,000-21,000 special
libraries and information centers in the United Stated
and 35,000 worldwide.

6. Challenges
Special
Libraries Face
Limited Resources
Establishing Value
Keeping up with Technology
Copyright Laws

7. Keeping up with Technology
 Many special libraries
are dependent on their
information storage and
retrieval system.
 The problems that can
arise from these
systems are:
 Copyright Laws
 Privacy
 Cost

8. Proving Their Worth with
Limited Resources
 Special libraries often have few staff members.
 Many non-corporate special ibraries rely on
volunteers to keep the library running.
 Operation costs continue to rise as the budget
decreases.
 Special libraries must establish their value to the
organization that they are affiliated with in order to
not be cut out of the budget.

9. Libraries Can Save Lives
 Two studies done be Joanne Marshall were conducted in
1991 to determine the impact of medical libraries on the
decisions and diannosis of doctors.
 Doctors asked questions that related to a current clinical
case. They evaluated its impact on the care of their
patients. There were reported changes in:
 Diagnosis 29%
 Choice of Tests 51%
 Choice of Drugs 45%
 Reduced Hospital Stay 19%
 Advice Given to Patient 72%

10. References
Marshall Ph.D., J. G. (1992). The impact of the hospital
library on clinical decision making:the Rochester study.
Bulletin of the Medical Library Association , 80 (2), 169-
178.
Rehman, S. (2009). Evolving Role of the Information Center:
Challenges and Directions. Pakistan Journal of Library &
Information Science, (10), 8-42
Rubin, R. E. (2010). Foundations of Library and Information
Science. (3rd, Ed.) New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers.
Special Libraries Association. (2009). Association Timeline.
Retrieved March 17, 2011, from Special Libraries
Association:
http://www.sla.org/content/SLA/AssnProfile/History/timeli
ne.cfm