What is Possible? Benefits from the Integration of Libraries and Computing

Abstract

Bucknell University and the University of Southern California have recently integrated their computing and library organizations. This paper begins by exploring rationales for merging and then discusses the benefits that come from integrating the two organizations. Bucknell University and the University of Southern California have found that the unified organizations have allowed them to capitalize on the best parts of the individual organizational heritages in order to radically change important functions such as budget management and resource (human and infrastructure) allocation, customer interfaces (physical and virtual), availability of services to customers, user education, and technology resource allocation. The paper concludes with advice for institutions considering merging organizations on their campuses