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The staff at Himmelfarb Health Sciences Library would like to extend a warm welcome to the incoming Medical Student class of 2027! Over the coming days and weeks, you will grow familiar with the George Washington University campus and begin your medical school coursework. To help you learn more about Himmelfarb Library and the services available to you as students, this article will serve as a primer for everything you should know about the library. 

Himmelfarb Library is open twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Reference services are available Monday through Thursday from 8:00 am-8:00 pm, Fridays from 8:00 am- 4:00 pm and Sundays from 4:00 pm- 8:00 pm. 

The library has a collection of physical and electronic media including books, audiovisual media, scholarly journals, and databases. There are several special collections within the library, including the MD Program: Required Books & Information Resources, Himmelfarb Library New Books, and Humanities & Health Collection. Please see our full list of special collections for access to these and other special collections.

Our physical collection is spread across the library’s four floors with most books shelved on the basement level. If you are unsure of an item’s location, a staff member at the circulation desk will assist you. The collection catalog is located on the homepage at himmelfarb.gwu.edu. The search box’s default setting is ‘Articles + Himmelfarb Catalog.’ and will display results within our collection. If you would like a more in-depth overview of the library search box, read Tips for Using Himmelfarb’s Library Search Box. 

Himmelfarb has several interactive pieces of technology in its collection. There are two 3D printers in the library and faculty, students, and staff members are able to submit print job requests online. There is no charge for most print requests and pricing will be clearly communicated before printing begins. Our 3D Printing at Himmelfarb guide contains more information about the 3D printing program and explains Himmelfarb’s 3D printing policies. 

The BodyViz virtual anatomy software suite located in Himmelfarb 305 is an interactive software that lets you examine and manipulate anatomical models. There are over 1,000 data sets loaded onto the BodyViz software. To reserve the BodyViz suite, please use the online reservation system. The library also has two Quest VR headsets available for checkout. Both headsets are loaded with the Medicalholodeck Medical Virtual Reality platform and may be used to explore anatomical models. To check out the VR headsets, visit the circulation desk. 

There are multiple ways to contact a librarian if you need assistance. The Ask A Librarian service is available through our website. You may send an instant message to a member of the reference staff via the chat feature on our homepage or call the desk at (202) 994-2962. You may also send an email to himmelfarb@gwu.edu or stop by the circulation desk to speak with someone from the Himmelfarb team. 

In addition to our electronic and physical media, the library maintains general and subject-specific research guides to help you complete your coursework or engage in the research process. Some guides that may be useful as you start your time at GWU are the AMA Citation Style, APA Citation Style, Borrow from Himmelfarb, Borrow from Other Libraries, Library Tutorials, and Study Design 101 guides. There are also subject-specific research guides that provide links to readings, tutorials, databases, journals, and other resources related to the specific health sciences subject. Visit our homepage or our dedicated Research Guides page to see the current list of research guides. 

Study spaces are located on each floor of the library. Some spaces, such as the tables located on the first floor, are on a first-come, first-served basis. The study rooms on the basement, 2nd and 3rd levels must be reserved. If you are using a room without a reservation, you may be asked to move to honor a pre-existing reservation. To reserve a study room, visit our online reservation system. To learn about the quiet level zones in the library, please see our Studying at Himmelfarb? Know Our Zones article. 

Follow Himmelfarb Library’s Facebook and Instagram accounts to learn more about future events or changes to our collection. We look forward to working with you during your time at the George Washington University.

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We're closed for Winter Break! Our e-resources are always available at https://himmelfarb.gwu.edu

We’ll be taking a break from new blog posts this week. New blog posts will return on January 2, 2023. 

Our building will reopen on Monday, January 2, 2023, at 12 Noon and close at 8:00pm. On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, we will open at 7:30am and resume 24-hour operations. To see our complete hours, take a look at our website. And don't forget that our electronic resources (databases, e-books, and e-journals) are always available from anywhere!

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

https://youtu.be/ItSSbtHXGK0

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Screenshot of Healthy Living Guide.

As 2022 draws to a close, you may start thinking about changes you’d like to make in the new year. If those changes involve healthier living, Himmelfarb Library has a guide that can help. We’ve updated our Healthy Living @ Himmelfarb guide just in time to ring in 2023! This newly updated guide focuses on nutrition, exercise, and stress reduction to support healthy living for SMHS, GWSPH, and SON students. 

You’ll find links to healthy eating options on campus such as the GW Dining Healthy Eating and the GW’s Urban Food Task Force, a GW initiative that brings faculty, students, staff and volunteers with a shared interest in healthy eating together to support a variety of programs around campus throughout the year. 

The services and resources page of the guide provides links and information about fitness and recreation opportunities at GW including the Lerner Health and Wellness Center. Health and wellness instruction and resources including the GW Resiliency and Well Being Center, GWell, and the GW Institute for Spirituality and Health (GWish) are included with brief descriptions of the services each office provides. Numerous support services provided by GW are also available on this page of the guide. If you’re interested in self-care resources, you’ll find related resources here as well.

Interested in exploring books available in Himmelfarb’s collection about wellness, stress reduction, or a healthy diet and cooking? Check out the books and library resources page! We have popular books on these topics including titles like The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking, The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, and Bobby Flay Fit by Bobby Flay. You can also explore our full Healthy Living Collection. And don’t forget about our exercise equipment and games! A full list of equipment and games can be found on this page of the guide.

If you have a smartphone, you can have wellness resources at your fingertips anytime you want! The wellness apps page of the guide provides lists of wellness apps from a variety of healthy living-related categories. Interested in physical activity and mindful movement? Check out the AllTrails, Daily Yoga, or SWORKIT apps. Or if you’re interested in meditation, check out apps like Calm, Headspace, or Take a Break! Other apps related to healthy eating, financial literacy, and biofeedback are also included.

You’ll also find our most recent healthy living blog posts in the healthy living news and events area of the homepage. Our newly updated Healthy Living Guide is a great resource for you with a wealth of resources to explore! 

And just as a reminder, in observance of Winter Break, Himmelfarb Library will close at 6:00pm today. We will reopen on Monday, January 2, 2023, from 12:00 (Noon) to 8:00pm. On Tuesday, January 3, 2023, we will open at 7:30am and resume 24-hour operations. For our full hours, visit our Library Hours webpage. Even though our building will be closed, our electronic resources including databases, journals, and e-books are always available.

Description of hours for Winter Break.

Have a safe and healthy Winter Break!

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The Library's holiday hours are as follows:

Date Time
Friday, December 23, 2022 Closing at 6:00pm
Saturday, December 24, 2022 Closed
Sunday, December 25, 2022 Closed
Monday, December 26, 2022 Closed
Tuesday, December 27, 2022 Closed
Wednesday, December 28, 2022 Closed
Thursday, December 29, 2022 Closed
Friday, December 30, 2022 Closed
Saturday, December 31, 2022 Closed
Sunday, January 1, 2023 Closed
Monday, January 2, 2023 12:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Tuesday, January 3, 2023 Opens 7:30 am and resumes 24/7 hours
Library holiday hours

...continue reading "Himmelfarb Library Winter Holiday Hours"

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Graphic listing holiday hours. Same hours are listed in blog post.

Himmelfarb Library will be closed during the Thanksgiving Holiday. Our hours this week are as follows:

DateDayHours
November 23, 2022WednesdayClosing at 8:00pm
November 24, 2022ThursdayClosed
November 25, 2022FridayClosed
November 26, 2022Saturday9:00am - 8:00pm
November 27, 2022SundayOpening at 9:00am

We will resume normal 24/7 hours after re-opening on Sunday, November 27, 2022.

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

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!

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Sticky Note with "To Do" Scrabble letters above.
Photo by Breakingpic from Pexels

As Spring semester draws to a close, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with tying up loose ends, completing long to-do lists, and meeting last minute deadlines. Himmelfarb Library can help ease the burden by providing study space and scholarly resources to help prepare you for end of semester exams and assignments, and resources and services to help you prepare for next semester. Here are some things to keep in mind as the end of Spring semester gets closer.

Returning Books

If you have books checked out, whether they are Himmelfarb Library books, Interlibrary Loan or Consortium Loan books, be sure to return these items to the Himmelfarb Circulation desk. Himmelfarb is open 24/7 so stop by and return your items when it’s most convenient for you.

Renewing Books

If you need to renew an item, there are three ways to do so:

  • Online: Log into your library account with your GW NetID and password.
  • In Person: Stop by the Himmelfarb Circulation Desk and renew items in person.
  • Phone: Call the Circulation Desk at (202)994-2962

Check Your Accounts

Be sure to log into your library account to see a list of all items checked out to you. Check your Documents2Go account to make sure you don’t have any items due or owe any money for Interlibrary Loan requests. If you have Consortium Loan Service (CLS) related fees, contact the lending library to arrange payment. 

Studying at Himmelfarb

Are you looking for a quiet place to study? Or do you need a group study space? Himmelfarb has options for both! If you are looking for a quiet place to study, the 2nd and 3rd floors (with the exception of Bloedorn Technology Center) of the library are reserved for quiet study. Both of these floors are designated quiet zones. If you don’t mind noise while you study, or want to study with other people, the first floor of the library is not a quiet floor and can be a good fit for these preferences. 

Study rooms are also an option! Study rooms must be reserved, so be sure to make your reservations ahead of time. Most study rooms can accommodate up to four people and have large computer screens and white boards. White board markers and erasers are available for checkout at the first floor Circulation Desk.

Don’t forget that masks are still required inside Himmelfarb Library in compliance with GW’s indoor mask requirements!

Faculty End-of-Semester Items:

Embedded Librarian Service

Are you planning ahead for Summer or Fall semesters and would like to have a Himmelfarb Librarian embedded in your Blackboard course? Contact Tom Harrod (tph@gwu.edu) to make arrangements!

Course Materials 

Are you thinking of adding new books, articles, or other materials to your upcoming courses? Let us know what materials you are considering using. We are happy to look into print or online access options! Contact Ian Roberts (imroberts@gwu.edu) for assistance. And don’t forget to submit your Course Reserves requests for Summer semester.

Library Outreach

If you have residents or students that are new to GW and are interested in scheduling a brief orientation to Himmelfarb Library, let us know! We are happy to meet with your group and provide an overview of all Himmelfarb has to offer and answer any questions you or your residents or students may have. Contact himmelfarb@gwu.edu for more information.

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Photo by Clever Visuals on Unsplash 

We hope you are all getting ready for a much deserved Winter Break! Himmelfarb would like to remind everyone that our onsite hours will change over the break.  (Our online resources will remain available throughout the closure.)

Thursday, Dec. 23: Himmelfarb Library closes at 8pm

Friday, Dec. 24 – Saturday, January 1: CLOSED

Sunday, January 2: Himmelfarb Library re-opens at 12 noon and resumes 24/7 hours of operation

Stay healthy and warm, and we’ll see you in the new year!

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It’s that time of the year again. The white stuff could be coming any day to mess with campus commutes. Here are some ways to stay on top of closures, inclement weather, and campus emergencies.

For Himmelfarb Library closures and hours changes, follow us on Twitter or Facebook!  Himmelfarb hours are also regularly updated on our website.

GW Campus Advisories - Visit https://campusadvisories.gwu.edu for traffic, weather, safety, and metro alerts. Closures and delays will be posted here.

GW Alert  - This service sends emergency alerts to e-mail addresses, cell phones (text messages), social media and university web pages.  Sign up through the GW Alert portal to receive alerts.

GW Information Line - Call for a recorded message on university status, adverse weather conditions, important issues concerning safety, and anything else that may disrupt normal operations. 202-994-5050 for Foggy Bottom, 571-553-8333 for Virginia Science and Technology Campus in Ashburn.

CapitalAlert.gov - Get alerts about the wider Metro DC region through CapitalAlert. It includes emergency, traffic, weather and Amber alerts, and information about school and government closures. You can choose which jurisdictions you want alerts for.

GW Guardian App - Download this app to your smartphone to get campus alerts and connect directly to GW Police and emergency services.  The app can assign a virtual Guardian to monitor your progress and safety while commuting or walking alone on campus. Available for iPhone or Android.

Social Media - Follow @GWTweets for non-emergency safety and security information, and @GWPolice for emergency safety information. The university Facebook page has similar content.

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Welcome

Welcome and welcome back to all of our students, faculty and staff! We are excited to meet students who are on-campus for the first time, as well as see some familiar faces. It is so great to have all of you here with us at GW!

Regardless of whether you are new to campus or returning, we wanted to provide information about navigating Himmelfarb Library onsite. Perhaps you've been wondering....where are printers located at Himmelfarb? Are there study rooms available to use? How do I find Room B103? For those of you who don’t know all of Himmelfarb’s nooks and crannies, we offer you a guide to navigating the library. Read on...

Library hours

Visit the Himmelfarb Library website for our current hours of operation. Our daily hours are always posted and updated on the Himmelfarb Library website. Presently we are open:

Mondays - Thursdays: 8am - 10pm

Fridays: 8am - 6pm

Saturdays: 12pm - 8pm

Sundays: 12pm - 10pm 

We plan to return to 24/7 hours of operation in September.

Getting in and out

Entry gate

The entry gate is located just beyond the library lobby. A current GWorld card is required in order to get in.

Exit gate

The exit gate is to the right of the entry gate as you are leaving.

  • The exit gate opens automatically as you approach it.
  • No need to use your GWorld card when leaving Himmelfarb.

Getting around

Library floors and room numbers

Himmelfarb Library has four floors:

  • Room numbers starting with 1 (for instance, Room 107), are located on our 1st floor.
  • Room numbers starting with 2 (for instance, Room 202), are located on our 2nd floor.
  • Room numbers starting with 3 (for instance, Room 305H), are located on our 3rd floor.
  • Room numbers starting with B1 (for instance, Room B103), are located on the B1 level (one level down from the first floor).

Stairwells and elevator

  • Himmelfarb has two stairwells, one on the library’s courtyard side (west) and one of the 23rd St. side (east) 
    • Staff at the Circulation Desk (located just beyond the entry gate on the right) can direct you to either.
    • Only the courtyard-side stairwell takes you to the B1 level.
  • Himmelfarb has one elevator, located to the right of the courtyard stairwell.
    • It goes to all floors.

Places to study

Study rooms to reserve

We have small rooms that you may reserve for individual or group study on our 2nd and 3rd floors. Please make a room reservation (for up to four hours) prior to occupying the room. 

Book and AV item locations

Books available for 3-week loan are housed on the B1 level. Reference books (in-house use only) are located on the 1st floor next to the Reference Desk. A smaller Reference collection is housed at the Bloedorn Technology Center on the 3rd floor. DVDs and audio CDs available for 3-week loan are also kept at the Bloedorn Technology Center. 

Service desks

Circulation Desk

The Circulation Desk is located ahead to the right as you pass through the library’s security gate. The Desk is staffed during all open hours. Here, you can check out everything from books to iPhone/iPad chargers to dry-erase markers and erasers to use in our study rooms. This is also where you can check out items on reserve. Circulation’s phone number is (202) 994-2962, and their email address is mlbcir@gwu.edu.

Reference Desk

Himmelfarb’s Reference Desk is staffed Monday - Thursday from 8:30am - 8pm, and Friday from 8:30am - 5pm. You can reach a Reference Librarian via text, email, or chat. Or you can stop by the Reference Desk (located next to the Circulation Desk) to speak in-person with a Reference Librarian. Reference’s phone number is (202) 994-2850. They can help you with literature searches, citation resources, and much more!

IT Help Desk

The School of Medicine’s IT department is conveniently located at the Bloedorn Technology Center on Himmelfarb’s 3rd floor. IT offers assistance weekdays from 8am - 5pm, and they welcome walk-up questions. You may also call them at (202) 994-9400, or email them at casshelp@gwu.edu.

Technology

Computer workstations

Computers are available for use on the 1st and 3rd floors, as well as on the B1 level in Classroom B103 (depending on room availability). Just log in with your NetID and password.

Computer labs

Our largest computer lab is in Room B103 (on the B1 level). It is available to use except when reserved by departments for classes and exams. Our other computer lab is the Women’s Board Teaching Classroom (WBTC), located in the Bloedorn Technology Center on the 3rd floor. It is also free to use as long as a class or exam has not been scheduled.

Printing

Public printing is available on the 1st and 3rd floors of Himmelfarb. Three WEPA printing stations are located directly across from the Circulation Desk. An additional WEPA printer is located at the Bloedorn Technology Center’s middle computer lab. GW’s Colonial Printing website tells you how to print from various devices, and lists the cost of printing as well as how to pay.

Scanning

Flatbed scanners are available to library users on the 1st and 3rd floors. The 1st-floor scanner is located near the Circulation Desk. Scanners on the 3rd floor are located in the Bloedorn Technology Center.

Free writing consultations

GW Writing Center

The GW Writing Center offers one-on-one consultations for all types of writing assignments. Their main location is at the Gelman Library (Suite 221 on the entrance floor). The Center offers face-to-face appointments at Gelman throughout the week (hours listed below). Zoom appointments are also available, which is useful for those living off campus.

The Writing Center’s hours of operation are:

Monday - Thursday: 9am - 9pm

Friday: 9am - 3pm

Sunday, 5pm - 10pm

Visit WCOnline to schedule appointments. Once registered, you can sign up for up to three appointments per week, up to two weeks in advance. 

If you are working on a long-term project, take advantage of the Writing Center’s Long-Term Project Program. This program allows you to partner with a single consultant on a major project for up to a full semester.

Restrooms

Restrooms for men and women are located on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors of the library in the southeast corner (23rd Street side of building). A restroom for women is also located on the library’s B1 Level, as well as a Lactation Room. Ross Hall offers a nearby gender-inclusive restroom, located next to Room 101.

Restroom foot pull door openers

All restroom doors are equipped with no-touch foot-operated door openers.

Hand sanitizing stations

Two hand sanitizer dispensers are currently located at Himmelfarb Library: one in the library lobby and the other near the first floor, courtyard-side stairwell.

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