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Category: Himmelfarb Info

Posts in this category include information about circulation, course reserves, reference and instruction services, building renovations, website updates, etc.

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Welcome to a new year. As we settle into 2024 and prepare for another semester, we wanted to reflect on Himmelfarb Library’s many accomplishments from the previous year. 

In 2023, Himmelfarb Library acquired new resources and updated our current collection to provide the latest in health sciences research and support. The Bloedorn Technology Center received new 3-D printed anatomical models that are on display and available for in-library use.  

Himmelfarb Library created two special collections. The Streaming Video Collections provides access to documentaries, short films and other digital media with a focus on topics in health sciences. The Suicide and Suicidology Collection is a curated list of materials on suicide, suicide risks and prevention that was expanded thanks to a gift from Dr. Seymour Perlin and Ruth Perlin. Library staff updated the Core Title list based upon feedback from faculty members from SMHS, Nursing and SPH. In an ongoing project, the library is working to make reading lists embedded in research guides more user-friendly and navigable; the Anesthesiology core list, Radiology textbooks and the Exercise & Nutrition Sciences textbooks received a visual update and more lists will undergo a similar update soon.

In spring 2023, Himmelfarb Library released its Anti-Racism in Healthcare research guide.  A research guide for LGBTQ+ healthcare is under development. The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy was published in the fall. The policy outlines the avenues in which the library will follow a DEI framework to maintain a diverse and inclusive environment. 

The Interlibrary Loan Policy was also updated in the summer of 2023. Under the updated policy, Himmelfarb Library will now provide 30 free interlibrary loan requests to users in SMHS, Nursing and SPH. This update simplifies the interlibrary loan request process for users so they can receive the resources they need without major delays. 

Continuing their virtual tutorial series, the Scholarly Communications Committee added several new videos to their tutorials library. Some of the new videos include Curating Your ORCiD Profile, Updating Your Biosketch via SciENcv, and Journal Impact Factors: What You Need to Know. The full playlist of tutorials is available through the Scholarly Communications Video Tutorials page under the Scholarly Publishing research guide. 

Himmelfarb library connected with users both in-person and online. Last year, library staff wrote and published over 150 new articles to the Himmelfarb Library News page and garnered over 23,000 page views on the news site. On our social media platforms, the library posted nearly 500 times on Facebook and over 470 times on Instagram. We received over 1,000 likes or reactions on Facebook and over 2,000 on Instagram. New articles are added to the library's news site three times a week and the Facebook and Instagram pages are regularly updated. Subscribe to our pages to remain up to date on events at the library or new resources. 

Many returning and new events took place last year. In January, the library hosted the National Library of Medicine’s traveling exhibit Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine in Harry Potter’s World. The exhibit explored the historical people and texts that served as inspiration for aspects of the Harry Potter series. 

In March, the library held a basketball shootout fundraiser for the Healing Clinic. From March through April, the library had its inaugural Cherry Blossom Photo Contest. Following the success of this contest, the first Fall Colors Photo Contest took place in October and November. The 35th Annual Art Show was held in May and participants of the cherry blossom contest were able to display their submissions. The art show received 53 submissions across different art mediums such as watercolor, photography, and embroidery. We look forward to your submissions during this year’s art show. 

Last, Himmelfarb Library would like to highlight some of the many staff accomplishments from 2023. Deborah Wassertzug joined the Reference and Instruction team near the end of 2022. Rebecca Kyser and Randy Plym joined the Reference and Instruction team and the Circulation and Access team respectively last year. Ruth Bueter was appointed to the Associate Director for Library Operations. 

Himmelfarb Library staff published numerous articles or presentations in 2023. JoLinda Thompson and Sara Hoover’s chapter Discoverability Within the Library was published in the book Discoverability in Digital Repositories: Systems, Perspectives, and Users Studies. Rachel Brill published an article on her Disorder in the Court series and another article on ways to evaluate database coverage. The full list of articles, presentations and posters from Himmelfarb Library staff may be found in the Himmelfarb Library Faculty Publications and the Himmelfarb Library Faculty Posters and Presentations collections located in the Health Sciences Research Commons. Sara Hoover was also selected for the Academy of Health Information Professionals (AHIP) at the Senior Level. AHIP is an intensive, professional development and certification initiative for health information professionals that demonstrates their commitment to health information services and responsibilities. 

2023 also marked milestone career anniversaries for Catherine Sluder (40 years), Valorie Bowles (34 years) and Yvonne Lee (25 years)!

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to another productive year at Himmelfarb Library as we provide access to the latest in health information resources and services.

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The image is a blue, buff, and white sign with the text "Have a safe WINTER BREAK!" There are snowflakes in the background.

Winter break is here! 

Himmelfarb Library’s building will be closed during Winter Break starting Saturday, December 23rd at 6:00 pm, but our online collections will remain open and accessible. The library building reopens on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, at 7:30 am and resumes 24-hour operations. To see our complete hours, take a look at our website.

Himmelfarb Winter Break Hours: Text in image is duplicated in post

Even though our building is closed, our electronic resources (databases, e-books, and e-journals) are always available from anywhere!

We’re taking a break from new blog posts during Winter Break. New blog posts will return on January 3, 2024.

If you’ll miss being in the library while we’re closed, here’s some library ambiance to tide you over:

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The image contains text that says "Happy Thanksgiving" and "Himmelfarb Holiday Hours." The background contains leaves and acorns.

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Himmelfarb Library!

The library will be closed during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our hours during this time are as follows:

https://go.gwu.edu/himmelfarbhours Happy Thanksgiving Himmelfarb Thanksgiving Hours: Nov. 22 (Wed)....Closing at 8pm Nov. 23 (Thurs)...CLOSED! Nov. 24 (Fri)....CLOSED! Nov. 25 (Sat)...9am - 8pm Nov. 26 (Sun)...Opening at 9am, Resume 24/7 hours

We will resume normal 24/7 hours after re-opening at 9:00 am on Sunday, November 26, 2023. 

Even though our building is closed, our electronic resources (including our databases, e-books, and e-journals) remain available from anywhere during this time.

Have a great Thanksgiving break!

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Over the Thanksgiving break the library will be operating on a modified schedule. On Wednesday, November 22, 2023, the library will close at 8:00 pm.

We will resume normal 24/7 hours after re-opening on Sunday, November 26, 2023.

DayDateHours
WednesdayNovember 22, 2023Closing at 8:00pm
ThursdayNovember 23, 2023CLOSED
FridayNovember 24, 2023CLOSED
SaturdayNovember 25, 20239:00am - 8:00pm
SundayNovember 26, 2023Opening at 9:00am
Have A Happy Thanksgiving!

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Image of lightbulb and text "Need only the best information for your research, patients or staff? Yes we do that!"
Image from the Medical Library Association

October is National Medical Librarians month. Started by the Medical Library Association in 2001, it is “an annual observance that recognizes and appreciates the critical role that health information professionals play in healthcare, research, and education.“

This year’s theme is Yes, We Do That! Librarians and library staff at Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library do everything from literature searching and systematic review service and consultation, to providing support for virtual anatomy and 3D printing. Here are some of the things Himmelfarb librarians and library staff did over the last academic year:

  • Answered 2,188 reference questions through chat, email and at the Himmelfarb service desk, including 574 in-depth consultations for literature searches, systematic reviews, predatory journal consultations and for other reference and research support services.
  • Taught 725 education sessions to 7,422 attendees.
  • Ran 186 3D print jobs for users.
  • Loaned over 3,800 books and other materials to users.
  • Borrowed 372 consortium loan service books for users and provided over 1,500 articles, chapters, and books through interlibrary loan services to users. 
  • Purchased and processed 400+ new print books for Himmelfarb collections and 9 new anatomy models for the Bloedorn lab on the third floor - stop by and check them out!
  • Licensed and activated 619 new ebooks for users.
  • Provided service for 1.2 million links to full-text electronic resources. 
  • Added  2,307 records representing GW SMHS, GW School of Public Health, and GW School of Nursing scholarly output to the Health Sciences Research Commons (HSRC). 192,814 items were downloaded from HSRC by researchers at 7,704 institutions in 216 countries!
  • Published 16 instructional videos to the Himmelfarb YouTube channel representing over 2 hours of original content, with high-quality closed captioning edited manually by library staff. Our new videos were viewed 465 times (13.27 total hours of watch time), out of 23,227 views (1,292 hours) for all content on our channel.
  • Created 9 and maintained 341 Research Guides on topics including APA Citation format, library tutorials, guides to databases, and resource guides by subject. Research Guides had over 2 million page views by users at GW and beyond.

Himmelfarb library staff members are here to support your research, education, and clinical information needs. Reach out to us through our chat service (always staffed by a Himmelfarb librarian or reference specialist), email at himmelfarb@gwu.edu, phone at 202-994-2850, or stop by our service desk.  

Starting October 10th, a writing center tutor will be onsite at Himmelfarb every Tuesday from 4 pm - 6pm.
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We are thrilled to announce that a representative from the GW Writing Center will be providing in-person consultations at the Himmelfarb Library this semester! 

A Writing Center consultant will be onsite every Tuesday from 4 pm - 6 pm, beginning October 10th. They can help you with a variety of writing assignments from research reports to cover letters to CVs.

The Writing Center service will be located adjacent to the first-floor Circulation Desk, in the alcove near the emergency exit. The service is free.

Walk-ups are welcome if there is availability, but appointments are recommended. To make an appointment, visit the Writing Center website.

If you are a first-timer, you'll see a link on the page that lets you register for an account. If you are an online student, or would simply prefer a remote consultation, you'll see an option to request a virtual consultation (appointments are available from 9am to 9pm, Monday through Friday, and 5pm to 10pm on Sundays).

In the meantime, check out the Writing Center's resource collection, including tips on citations, grammar, and quality research. 

Photo by Pereanu Sebastian on Unsplash

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Himmelfarb library first floor map and location https://tinyurl.com/bdhkv376

Are you a regular visitor to our physical facility? If you spend time here for study, research, using collections, or just lounging, here’s a few tips to prepare you for emergencies and enhance your safety.

Don’t leave valuable belongings unattended - Though it doesn’t happen frequently, there have been thefts in the library. Keep your valuables with you at all times.

Stay aware - We recommend that you keep your headphone volume at a level that allows you to hear alarms or instructions should evacuation become necessary. There are sirens that sound on all floors and flashing lights if the building needs to be evacuated. It can be more difficult to hear when in a study room, so adjust your volumes accordingly. We also ask that you do not cover study room door windows for safety reasons.

Know your closest exit - You should always be aware of how best to quickly exit a building should it become necessary. On the library first floor there are emergency exits in the alcove by the elevator (exits to the courtyard) and in the stairwell by the rest rooms (exits to 23rd street). From the upper floors you will need to use one of the two stairwells to descend to the first floor to exit. On the basement level there is an exit from the book stacks to the parking garage if you can’t reach the first floor safely. Check our emergency floor maps for the exit locations.

Exit immediately if the alarm sounds - Unless it has been communicated in advance that there is a scheduled test of the alarm system, always respond to sirens in the library as if there is a fire or other hazard in the building that requires immediate evacuation. Quickly grab your belongings including any outerwear you brought with you and leave via the closest stairwell and exit door. It could be minutes to hours before you will be able to re-enter the building.

Fire extinguishers and alarm pulls are available - The library has multiple extinguishers and alarm pulls on each floor. Check the emergency floor maps for locations. If you don’t know how to use an extinguisher, the GW Division of Safety and Facilities offers training sessions between May and November. 

Defibrillators save lives - The library has a defibrillator on the first floor in case of a medical emergency. It’s on the entry lobby wall that faces the courtyard. The Division of Safety and Facilities offers CPR/AED training if you want to learn how to use this lifesaving equipment.

Move away from windows during a storm - If a severe thunderstorm or tornado warning is issued, move to the interior part of each floor and away from windows. The safest shelter area is on the basement level and in the stairwells.

Water is a hazard to people and books - If you see leaks or water on the floor, alert a library staff member immediately.

Staying alert, exiting promptly when alarms sound, and following instructions will keep you and other library users safe in emergencies.

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First aid kit photo
First aid kit photo by Roger Brown on Pexels https://www.pexels.com/photo/first-aid-kit-on-gray-background-5673523/

The summer is a time for recreation and relaxation. It’s also a time when injuries and accidents occur with more frequency. The highest rates of preventable injury deaths peak in July and August. Both workplace injuries and car accidents increase over the summer months, attributed to higher temperatures, crowded roads and increased miles driven and more inexperienced seasonal workers on the job. Drowning deaths also spike in the summer with children one to four years old at greatest risk. In fact, drowning is the leading cause of death in this age group.

Whether you’re looking out for your own health and safety, or that of others, Himmelfarb Library has many first aid and preparedness resources. You can find resources in our Emergency Preparedness and Response Research Guide.  Here are some book titles from our collection:

Getting ready to travel? This video from SmartEngage has tips for both preventing and being fully prepared for injury or illness while traveling in the US and abroad.

Mosquito and tick borne illnesses, including Lyme Disease and West Nile Virus, rise in the summer. The CDC has guidance for preventing bites and reducing your risk.  

Hurricanes and severe weather are another threat to health and safety in the summer and into the fall. Know your risk ahead of time and prepare with an emergency plan and kit. 

This summer brought a new hazard to the metro DC area - wildfire smoke. The state of California provides excellent guidance on understanding the health risks and protecting yourself. Virginia, Maryland and the District all provide air quality data. You can sign up with EnviroFlash from the EPA and AirNow for Air Quality Forecasts and Action Day Health Alert notifications, or get the AirNow app for your smartphone.

While at the University, the GW Division of Safety and Facilities encourages you to make a plan for responding to emergencies. Know the exits from buildings you frequent and evacuation plans, where first aid kits, AEDs and fire extinguishers are located, and how to get in touch with University Police and Emergency Services. Himmelfarb Library’s defibrillator is on the library first floor in the entry lobby and our first aid kit is available at the circulation desk. Library floor maps indicate where fire extinguishers and emergency exits are located.

Want to get training to provide CPR, AED, or first aid at work or in your community? The GW Department of Emergency Medicine Training Center offers courses for the general public, employees and health care professionals. GW’s Medical Faculty Associates has an AED lifesavers program that will provide equipment and training to organizations.

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This semester Himmelfarb Library welcomes back the GW Writing Center! We are gratified to be able to host this valuable service and make it more convenient for the health sciences community to get feedback and support to improve their writing.

Image of GW Writing Center banner and consulting space in Himmelfarb Library
GW Writing Center consulting space on Himmelfarb Library's first floor.

Starting February 16th, the Writing Center will have a consultant available Thursdays from 6-8pm on Himmelfarb Library’s first floor. To book an appointment, call 202-994-3765 during Writing Center operating hours.  They also welcome drop ins!

The Writing Center provides assistance with a variety of writing needs including research reports, speeches, group project reports, cover letters and CVs, and even written take-home exams if the professor permits. Services are provided by student consultants. Consultants who specialize in public health and STEM writing, or have expertise in APA citation style, can be found here. Some appointment preparation is encouraged prior to consulting sessions.

Himmelfarb Library can help you with bibliography formatting and citation style. We have Research Guides on APA and AMA citation style format with all the information you need in one place, including example citations for all material formats. We can also assist you with the use of citation managers like RefWorks. You can reach out to our reference librarians via Chat or by emailing himmelfarb@gwu.edu for direct assistance if required.

Find other resources on scientific writing in our collection.

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