Two seemingly opposing trends about the use of college libraries have recently emerged. First, gate counts have never been higher; more students are using the library than ever before. Second, the use of books and printed material - what many have assumed is the original purpose of the library — has never been lower. Contemporary research libraries are positioning themselves as a network hub of scholarly knowledge, and the role of the librarian continues to evolve.

The emergence of precision medicine over recent years is dramatically changing the way professionals approach health and healthcare. The concept of individual healthcare, customized to the unique needs of each patient, has garnered support and momentum from notable physicians and public figures, as well as the National Institute of Health. With these changes comes the need to rethink the way we approach health science education.

The technological advances now available has rapidly changed the manner in which education is delivered. Interestingly, it is often community colleges— unfairly perceived by many as the stepchildren of higher education—that are very much at the forefront of innovative, experiential learning, and in many ways are well-equipped to position students for the transition already underway in today’s dynamic global economy.